Rodney’s Love

Uncle Rod had a way of speaking straight to my heart. His words carried love, belonging, and the reassurance that I was always enough.

1. “You will always be family to me.”
2. “I don’t know how you could have done any better.” He said this when we were talking about how my life turned out.
3. “My door is always open.”
4. “I love you, too.”
5. “You are a good girl.” Rod said this during a visit to hospice. He was in unbearable pain as his esophageal cancer had spread throughout his body. No amount of painkillers could ease his suffering. Yet even then, he spoke with love.
6. “You are my priority.” Rod wanted to tell me his stories and gift all his journals and photography for me to preserve and share.

I have promised myself that I will do all I can to preserve and share Uncle Rod’s legacy.