Uncle Stan

My Uncle Stan Bolinger departed this life on November 4th after a two-year battle with cancer. It has been a very sad time for our family. We just didn't have him with us long enough. We will miss him so much and I ask that you pray for strength for his dear wife, children and grandchildren.

I wanted to take a few moments to celebrate his life from my memories. Since I do not walk in others' shoes, I can only tell you the impact he has had on my life. He was the youngest of 12 children born to my grandparents. So my earliest memory of Uncle Stan isn't even my memory. It's one he has shared with me through the years. In his teen years, he came to visit my parents (my mom is his older sister) when I was a baby. He has told me many times how he held and rocked me and talked to me throughout that particular visit. I know that we formed a bond in those early days. Later, after he married and had children, I have fond memories of sitting in his house and listening to his stories. I would sit in rapt attention and take in everything he said. The stories were usually funny and would include his trademark grin with dimples or a deep belly laugh. So many snapshots of different times in our lives play across the backdrop of my mind. It doesn't seem real that he's gone. He has left a huge hole behind. I know that He is in a place where there is no pain and for that I'm thankful, but oh how we miss him here on earth.

Uncle Stan, you are missed. I wish you could have come and fished in my lake. We'll see you again on that great triumphant morning!