My Uncle

I grew up next to my uncle.  He lived in the other half of the double house on Susquehanna Avenue.  I saw Jim all the time, much more than any other uncle or aunt.  When you are young, that automatically makes that particular uncle your favorite.  My memory is really pretty faulty, and I have only a few distinct memories from childhood.  However, I do recall Jim always taking me, my brother Dave and my cousin Kristy out to Knoebels Grove Amusement Park.  Again, when you are young, that automatically makes for a great time.

Jim and I shared the same birthday, June 28th.  That strange coincidence always made me feel like we had a connection.  I always felt I took something from him by being born on the same day, even when I was young.  As a kid I was the center of attention on June 28th, and Jim only ever got a passing a nod on that day.  As I get older, birthdays become a double edged sword.  On one hand they are a day of celebration.  But on the other they are a reminder that you are another year older, which now is not quite the landmark event it was when I was 10.  Since Jim was 27 years older, I hope he didn't mind me stealing his birthday.

As a teenager, I read quite a bit.  Jim subscribed to Issac Asimov and Analog magazines which published short science fiction stories.  I would borrow those magazines and read the stories.  I say borrow because I think I returned them all.  In fact, Jim kept them for some time, and they might still be around somewhere.  I clearly remember reading "Enders Game" when it was published in the magazines.  That short story launched the career of the author Orson Scott Card and was later republished as a book, and series of books.  The book went on to win the 1985 Nebula Award for best novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for best novel.

Some 25 years ago Jim quit smoking.  Cold turkey.  Just stopped.  His father, my grandfather began have heart trouble around that time, and it prompted Jim to quit.  I don't smoke, but even I know how hard it is to give up cigarettes.

Weight loss is something many people struggle with.  Most people I know diet in some shape or form.  Unfortunately, almost everyone I know has seen only small, hard won changes in their weight.  However, some 15 odd years ago Jim undertook a diet and exercise program to lose weight.  This was shortly after he was diagnosed with heart trouble, and he decided to take action.  Jim's exercise was primarily walking.  Jim would walk to work, walk to bowling, and walk just about everywhere else.  He once told me how he would bump into people during his walks and have conversations with them.  Jim lost a staggering amount of weight.  I remember he cut each notches in his belts so he could tighten them further and keep his now loose pants up.  Jim is the only person I know who lost in the neighborhood of 50 pounds.  He did with perseverance.  He just kept walking and the weight kept going down.

I know very few people who have either quit smoking or lost weight.  Jim did both.  He was a great example of what willpower and determination can do.

Eventually, Jim's arthritis became so painful it severely limited is ability to walk.  It would take Jim several minutes to walk across the porch.  You could see how visibly painful walking up steps were for him, as his knees hurt so badly.  Arthritis put an end to Jim's bowling career, which we all know he liked very much.  Jim found he no longer walk and slowly the weight came back.  I firmly believe that he had been able; he would have kept walking and kept his weight down.

He never touched another cigarette.

I will miss you,