Thursday, July 10, 2014

Our Uncle Mel.

Richard, Uncle Mel and Paul



We had a very close family growing up.  We spent a lot of time with our Aunts and Uncles and cousins.  Richard and Paul lived very near us and we were very close in age....so we did fun things together.  They are the funniest guys I know.  They loved Monty Python's Flying Circus and when Monty Python and the Holy Grail came out we went to Chicago to be there opening night.  We have a life time of memories.

Their dad is our dad's brother.  They worked together and we spent many holidays together.
Uncle Mel and Aunt Sunny came to tell us that mom and dad had died in that terrible car accident.

Uncle Mel was a radio operator (crew member) on B17's in WWII.
He took up flying after the war.   He and my brother Jim had a great bond as they are both passionate pilots and spent many hours in the air together.

Yesterday Paul called to tell me his beloved dad had died.

Uncle Mel was our last living relative on the Glyman side of the family.
We loved him and treasured him and it is sad to see him go.
Although my mind can't quite grasp it....I hope Grandma and Grandpa and sitting at a table playing cards with Mel and Sunny and Jimmy and Esther and Dorothy and Marv and Donald and Lola.  Wouldn't that be something!?


Richard and Paul have lost their parents and three siblings in the last seven year. (about)
They have borne it bravely but that is an enormous about of loss for anyone.

Would you say a prayer especially for Richard and Paul as they mourn the passing of their remarkable father and for my brother Jim, as he was very close to Uncle Mel, too?

Thank you!

With love,
Donna

p.s. When we would part and say goodbye, Uncle Mel always said, "God Bless You."





32 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:11 AM

    Sorry for your loss, it's always hard to say goodbye to a favorite. Prayers and thoughts going out to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, my heart. So sad to lose that stalwart man in your life. And that last connection to your dad. Grief has a stacking quality. Prayers for the Glymans today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:12 AM

    You write the best tributes to those you love.

    Praying...

    Bridget in Minnesota

    ps I loved Emmett and Erling's story. I never saw the feature on our local news. Thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bridget, That is so nice of you to say. I feel quite inadequate in writing this way. I feel other's do it so much better. But I'm glad my attempt came across well. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. Donna, Bridget is absolutely correct, you have a special way with words, especially so when remembering and honoring loved ones xxx

      Delete
  4. My post disappeared, but sending up prayers for all. Hugs to you, Donna

    ReplyDelete
  5. I will pray all of you as you reflect on the richness of your life together. I am so sorry for the enormous losses that Richard and Paul have suffered.

    I loved the pictures on facebook. I can really see your Matthew in Mel's sons. And your aunt was Aunt Sunny? What a delightful name, like something from a favorite children's story.

    Glyman stories are my favorite. God bless you all.

    Love,
    Di

    ReplyDelete
  6. God bless each one in your loving extended family. May the God of all comfort be especially close, dear Donna. I too find Glyman recollections very dear and meaningful. Hugs and prayers from over here.

    ReplyDelete
  7. God bless him. What a dear post.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1:27 PM

    I'm so very sorry for your loss and will pray especially for your dear cousins, your brother and all who loved Uncle Mel. God bless him.

    Mary Z

    P.S. That card game would be something. Thankful for our faith that lets us know we, too, will one day be at the table with those we've loved and lost. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. {{{LOVE}}} this

      Delete
    2. Well said, Mary Z ... I believe that when we arrive all our loved ones will be waiting for us and what a joyful reunion that will be.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous3:06 PM

    Prayers

    Love,
    Sarah P. from Iowa

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've said a prayer for them and your brother, Donna. So sorry for your loss and theirs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:54 PM

    Such a handsome man, reminds me of a movie star! So sorry for the loss of your Dear Uncle Mel................glad that you have those wonderful memories to cherish! Karen F.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous6:47 PM

    I agree, you write most lovingly and well about your family and special memories. It is a talent and we are blessed to have you share it with us. Praying for the repose of your Uncle Mel's soul and having happy thoughts about your family playing cards together. Grief for this special loved one is natural and we are praying for each of you to remember all the good times and the good times we are told will come. God be with you, surround you and comfort you each one.
    love and prayers, jep

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, thank you for sharing this Donna! Your story of Richard and Paul reminds me of growing up with my own large extended family.They sound like such neat people. <3 Lilly

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers. --Missy

    ReplyDelete
  15. So very sorry for your loss ~ I had an uncle like that who, when he passed was like losing my dad all over again ~ they had been in WWII in the Marine Corps together and were life long friends (my parents met through him). My family (siblings and cousins) are VERY close; as a matter of fact we are having a reunion in Saugatuck, MI next weekend. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Donna ~ as your uncle would say, "God Bless You" .....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous7:35 AM

    Mz. Boo, I am so so sorry for your loss. I will absolutely be in prayer for your cousins today, and the rest of your family. Peace and love to you during this awful time.

    Lori K in Boston

    ReplyDelete
  17. My heart is heavy for your loss - but I will pray on the hour for your brother, for you and your family, and for all the Glyman's today.

    -- mary e. from wheaton

    ReplyDelete
  18. Prayers for your family are on their way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Donna: I am so sorry that your Uncle has passed away. You & your family are in my prayers. God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh. I am so sad for your cousins. Death is the most difficult thing. I will pray for them all day today. Sending love.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous9:42 AM

    My most beloved Aunt passed away in May at age 98. Lots of tears the first week but now each day there is something that reminds me of her and her love. It is so sad when favorite elder relatives pass. They are going to a better place and we will meet them later. My sympathies on your family's loss of Uncle Mel.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous12:59 PM

    Prayer said. God Bless You.

    Domenico

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous1:07 PM

    Donna, last night my husband and I watched The Lunchbox. We loved it but I was kind of confused about the ending. I don't want to give anything away in case some of your readers are still going to watch it but it ended sadly, right? I couldn't decide if I missed something with the subtitles or if things ultimately did not work out for these two. It reminded me of Gift of the Magi in a certain sense with the plot twist and also 84 Charing Cross Road where the Anthony Hopkins character and Anne Bancroft character write back and forth. That's for the tip to watch it. Just my kind of move.

    Debbie Z.

    P.S. I prayed for your cousins and the rest of your family in the loss of Uncle Mel. It sounds like he was a very special person and will be missed so much. How wonderful for your cousins to have photos like the one above.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:08 PM

      Sorry, I meant to type "thanks for the tip".

      Debbie Z.

      Delete
    2. Hi Debbie. Yes. That ending. Ugh.
      Katie and I think the opposite of what you do.
      haha.
      I think he got her address from the lunchbox deliverers.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:55 PM

      Okay, I am going to go with what you and Katie think and believe that he got her address and all turned out happily. So much better that way. : )

      Debbie Z.

      Delete
  24. Anonymous12:31 PM

    Prayers being said for all of you and the losses you have suffered. But, I have to think that our dad's are playing gin rummy off to the side...
    Love
    Kris Irving Schwarz

    ReplyDelete

Hello. So nice to see you. Would you like to leave a comment? Be very kind.