Goodbye, Uncle Sam

Sam Isamu Nakagawa (1927-2009)

"Gee. You sure have a strong grip for a girl."

That's what he said the first time I met him (and everytime I saw him after that).
He would extend his hand, confirm my grip strength, then let me hug him.

Uncle Sam was a close friend of my husband's family. He was known for being
soft-spoken, quiet and a man devoted to his wife and family. At his funeral service last Saturday, his grandchildren spoke tenderly about him. The slideshow of his life revealed the things he loved (his family, his friends, Pismo Beach).

At his memorial service, he requested "Three Times a Lady" by Lionel Richie play for his wife (Auntie Barbara). When it got to the part, "... to touch you, to hold you, to feel you, to need you. There's nothing to keep us apart," people started to cry (including me).
Uncle Sam wanted Auntie Barbara to know that she would be fine when he passed on. Asian men usually aren't public about their private emotions. He wanted to reassure Auntie Barbara. Uncle Sam was that kind of man.

People may not remember
exactly what you did,
or what you said,
but they will always remember
how you made them feel.

Yes, he made me feel special (and strong).

Goodbye and thank you, Uncle Sam.