I remember my dad talking about how he felt when his uncles and aunts got older. The urgency to connect or re-connect. How it felt when they transitioned/changed addresses/left this earth. I wish I’d have paid closer attention to that navigation process.

John Blakeley made that big move several days ago. Growing up as his niece, he seemed larger than life so this one makes me wish I had a map to follow because I just feel lost.

My Uncle John gave the best bear hugs. NO, HE DID. I will stand firm on this hill. He’d say, “Ready?” And you knew to suck in some air and hold it because your ribs were about to meet your spine. He’d wrap his arms around you and hug you as tight as you’ve ever been hugged. And you’d giggle and squirm and feel so loved.

His son, my cousin Aaron, does this too. At Rick Baldwin’s memorial service this last spring, I saw AJ and went over to give him a hug. He said, “Ready?” 

Oh yes.

Uncle John had a wicked sense of humor. (He’d not be pleased I described it that way!) If you found yourself in a car with him you’d better protect your knees because at the most unexpected moment, he’d reach over and clamp his hand on the ‘funny bone’ of your knee. 

I do not know of another way to describe it…but it was both hilarious and crazy-making at the same moment. 

He will forever hold the title of Master of Efficiency in my book. From the way he walked, to washing his car at the crack of dawn, to a 20 minute (all encompassing) sermon, to vocally speeding up a hymn he felt was lagging - he did not drag things out just to belabor a point. He was way beyond his time in the ‘this meeting should have been an email’ group.

As much as I say my dad could have been a cowboy, I can equally assert Uncle John could have been a pioneer. Grit, determination, stubbornness, focus on a bigger picture - he had all that. 

He is resting now. A well-deserved, beautiful, complete rest. And to him, I love you the most, no matter what you say.