Dear Uncle,

I know you're not with us anymore, and I know that you're looking down on us every day. There are good days, and there are bad days. A single song, a spot on the side of the road, a family tradition can evoke the strongest memory of you.

I sit in my classes every day wondering if you would be proud of who I am today. There are so many things that I want to tell you every single day. I carried on your tradition of buying gifts for families who can't afford presents for themselves. I saw your wife today, she's doing fine. I know she's missing you as much as I am.

I never got the chance to tell you while you were here, but you were the most influential man in my life. I hope that even for a second of every day I embody what you stood for.

While you were here and even now that you're gone you have left and are leaving your mark wherever you went, and where your daughter, grandchildren and wife go.

There are so many adjectives I could use to describe you; hard-working, caring, strong, loyal, funny, stern, gentle and many, many more.

I hope that you know how much we miss and love you.

I hope you know that there are moments when I sit in my room and cry with joy remembering all the times I fell into your pond. I hope you know I sit in my car listening to your favorite song and grieve because you're not here anymore.

I hope you know that I love you more than you'll ever know and that I'm doing my best every single day to make you proud up in heaven.

I hope you know that you've changed my outlook on life.

I know you fought as hard as you could against cancer. I also know that some things are beyond our control.

I love and miss you more than you'll ever know.

Keep an eye on my up in heaven.