Uncle Sam

My hilarious Uncle Sam passed away almost two weeks ago. 

After a long battle with lung cancer.. We've lost my Grammy, Grandpa and now Uncle Sam in 21 short months. My heart breaks for my Mom and Uncle Floyd. That list doesn't even include Merity, my Uncles fiance who passed away August 2011, or members of my family on my Dad's side. 

Death seems all too frequent lately.

Sam decided to be placed next to my Grandparents at Valley View. His services were beautiful. Tears of laughter and sadness spread over the many family and friends that showed up. 

He was a jokester. That's for sure. Always always pulling a prank on someone. Everyone was always on edge when he was around because you never knew what he was going to do. I'm sure going to miss him. A week before he passed away I went to visit him at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. 

I have a love/hate relationship with that place. 

We were just chatting and he mentioned he wanted me to come back and take some pictures of him. Low and behold, I had just come from a shoot and had my camera with me.. so I ran downstairs and got it and snapped a couple of pictures of him that night.. I'm so so happy I did. 

Sam and Cindy weren't aware I was taking pictures yet, but I snapped this one of her helping him with his oxygen mask so he could drink. It's probably one of my favorite pictures. I think it resonates unconditional love.. Aunt Cindy was the best nurse :)

How I will always remember him. 

 To the right of the opening, my Grandparents lay. :) 

Toa was driving me crazy during the services.. it's amazing how much patience you have when there's an audience. I left the twins with my Mother -In -Law. They had attended the viewing the night before, and I got a little taste of what I would've experienced solo the next day. Three toddlers solo, no thanks. We probably would've been ushered out of the building. 

There were also some scum bags who decided to break into six cars and actually STEAL one truck during the services.. I felt so bad for my Uncles best friend whose truck got stolen. Windows were smashed, money, credit cards and other personal belonging were taken. The truck was found the next day ditched somewhere not far from the cemetery, and the people were caught on Thursday night after running a red light. I wish funeral homes would install security cameras. Funerals are a big target for theft. People are mourning, and not thinking of much other than that. Being burglarized is the last thing they need to deal with. According to the police, it happens quite frequently. The people who were caught had large amounts of drugs on them. Might explain a lot.

Besides the robberies that happened, it was a nice day.. the skies cleared long enough for us- 

We love you Uncle Sam....