What a whirl wind you have sent us on over the last week. You have shaken me to my core and I have shed so many tears trying to grasp hold of the reality of the situation. I am so happy I made it out one final time to hold your hand and tell you how much I loved you. I am so saddened knowing I will never get to see you again. Yet feel comforted by the fact that we were able to make some great memories in the last few months and I once again felt connected to you. I am so happy you were able to meet and spend time with my two boys, and as I pass on a love of camping and fishing I will think of you.

As I sit her with tears streaming slowly down my cheek I reflect back on our time together and all the wonderful and funny memories. Our early morning walks to the store out in Kimberly, my photo opportunity every Christmas morning year after year, your drunken fall down the hill that left me oh so confused because I was too young to even know about intoxication, and my super cool ninja turtle pj's you bought me one year are some of the highlights. You were like one of my best friends when I was just a little girl, awake before all the other children looking for someone to hang out with. And as I grew up and we grew distant, you in someway remained my "Uncle Doug".

With your monotone voice and horribly boring stories, it really is no lie that we all found you incredibly painful to talk with at times. I sit here chuckling thinking about you telling me all about your cherry pound cake baking marathons, and these are things I will now miss terribly. I hope you rest in peace and feel fulfilled when you reflect on your own life.

With Love, Loobop