yesterday my uncle gene left us to take his place with the ancestors.
uncle gene was a cool dude, y'all. infinitely happy, full of laughter and jokes! he was lovingly married for 47 years.
the last time I saw him was many years ago when my angst and rebellion were at it's height. we were at a family reunion and he took me aside and said 'I know you're a good girl, I know you're a smart girl, I know you're wearing your mama out but she's your mama and she wants to protect you so it's hard for her to get that you don't fit in a small, safe box. your box is as big as this world and you just need the freedom to explore every corner.you'll be all right.' then he hugged me. very simple, but it was one of the most important things that an elder could've said to me at a time when I was struggling to fit into that small, safe box but failing miserably.
I can't mourn for uncle gene because he spread 77 years of good vibrations to everyone he met and that's going to last forever. I do mourn for those closer to him who will feel that empty space that his smile and laughter once filled much more acutely. my aunt lost her husband of 47 years. my cousins lost their dad. my mom lost her big brother.
my most sincere love and blessings are with my Hughes family. there's a whole lot of Hughes' and all that collective love and support is needed now.
keep watching out for your family, uncle gene. and keep an eye on me while I keep finding my own way through this world. I love you, rest peacefully.
