.

My Uncle Sandy died over the weekend. He wasn't really my uncle, he was my first cousin once removed - my dad's first cousin. I was terrified of him as a kid. When I grew up and we met again, he told me I was too old to call him uncle and to call him cousin. We used to say we were "kissin' cousins" and called each other Cuz. He was a mean bastard with an acerbic tongue. I loved that about him. He had a way of making you feel special if you could make him laugh and I could. I loved him and I will miss him very much. He would say, oh don't be such a sap, but I don't care. I want everyone to know I loved him. Here's to you, Cuz.