When people I know started having babies, they would often get me to hold the baby. It was funny to all, because I was extremely awkward and nervous, and after 30 seconds of uncomfortableness for me and I am sure sheer terror for the baby, the small one was taken by someone with better instincts. I soon made a rule that I only deal with people over 2, I thought it was good for me, and great for babies everywhere. On a family vacation to Hawaii, Kelly made me break that rule, she was just a funny kid and I would try to stand her up in the middle of the room and she would do her best to stand and then kind of plop onto her butt and just laugh. She was always happy. Kelly has literally made all of us happy for her entire life, she is funny and says funny things and sometimes her just saying "Cubbers" makes everyone happy.
Everyone wants Kelly in their family often times she is the extra Thiemann, and she is also the extra Magee, and the extra Bauer. She has always been just a real enjoyable person to be around. Kelly and her dad Gary joined us in Biloxi and they both did a great job down there. The Gary Mindel -- Scott Barnes team is still one of my all time favorite pairings. Kelly was a big goof in Biloxi, but she also busted her butt and worked hard for the people that we had just met. One time we were driving back and forth to a different job site and we were, of course, listening to the Monkey and Kelly shouted, "Turn it up, Uncle John, this is Tay Tay Swiffy." Soon we were listening to a song about slamming screen doors and that was my introduction to Taylor Swift.
I taught at Nerinx when Kelly was there and with different last names not many people knew I was her uncle. Except for my basketball team, who seemed like they were all best friends with Kelly. I then was known as Unckie to Kelly and her friends. Sometimes in a good way, but often not when practices were too hard. It was a complete joy to be a fly (okay a very large teacher) on the wall and got to see Kelly just be a great kid and a good friend. Those friends are still a part of Kelly's life and they have had great times and celebrations and also weathered some tough times together. I sometimes think that if we are just a good friend to one person, we have lived a well lived life. Kelly is friends to more than a handful of impressive young women and they are better people today because of her friendship and the unique way she has of bringing smiles and laughter to their lives.
I love all my nieces and nephews, but Kelly and her sister Caitlin have been around the longest so they have just been in my heart a little longer. Kelly is now living with Caitlin and Matt and Ollie and after breakfast I got to see the two sisters interact. Of course, Ollie was the center but when I write about these two sisters, I tear up just a bit. They are so wonderful to each other and love each other so much. They have their own shorthand a sometimes they exchange hidden, unspoken words when the whole family is there. They are so close that they often do not need words. You can scroll back to see what I think of their mother, my sister Mary. But there is nothing I will ever accomplish in my life as great as how well Mary and Gary raised Kelly and Caitlin.
I often go back to Kelly's eighth grade graduation when she finished first in her class. We are always laughing at Kelly and enjoy her banter that it was at this graduation I realized she is also a pretty smart kid and just like she proved to me in Biloxi, she is not afraid of working hard or sweating a little to get the job done.
Now Kelly is finding success after success in her professional life, she is a team manager and I am sure all those little business lessons that her dad would always sneak into their conversations have paid off. I do not really know what she does, but she is the same confident 14 year old that strode to the front at that graduation to accept her commendations.
My sister and her husband long ago made the decision that Kelly would have two godfathers, my brother Tom and myself. I am so honored and happy that I have this honor in this wonderful kid's life. (I know she is not a kid any more).
Years ago at Rock Forest, I was dealing with a couple of problems all at once. I was too caught up in myself and not paying attention why I tried to back my parent's Sable down the driveway. As I made the turn, my impatience scraped the side of the car against the brick of the house. I was so pissed and so angry at the same time. I just started walking. I might have walked to 'Chicago, I was that upset and so down on myself for my own stupidity. I was about two houses up the street. All of a sudden running down the driveway was a child.
"It's okay, Uncle John" she screamed, "I still love you, I will always love you." She ran to me and hugged me around the waist, as far as she can reach. I hope you know Kelly, that I will always love you. I am so damn proud.
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