Three Things I learned from my Uncle A.W.

My Uncle Amos William ("A.W.") Byrd passed away on December 15th and was buried shortly afterward, on December 30th.

My Uncle was a character's character.  He was my Aunt Lizzie's husband and together they were (are!) parents of three hardworking, intelligent (and fashionable!) daughters, now grown.  He loved his children and also found room in his heart for me (his nephew) and his own grand- and great-grandchildren.  After college, I married and moved away; however, some of my most important life lessons revolve around my Uncle.

First, he taught me the importance of a haircut.  In the 1970's, afros were in vogue, but since my nappy mop didn't grow fast enough I didn't want to cut it.  Frequently I would be sitting in front of my Grandma's TV - eating her fried chicken and watching cartoons - when my Uncle A.W. would sneak up behind me with a tiny-toothed comb and snag it through my hair.  He would scream out like James Brown: "WAAAAAAOH!"  Then he would say "Hey Pepperhead!" -and jog out the door.

Second, he taught me the importance of trusting only yourself and the people closest to you.  My Uncle always seemed to have an upset stomach.   While hitching a ride back from a reunion, my Uncle rolled down the window of my father's Suburban and and went "BEYAHHHHHH!" - and a big spray of semi-digested pork, beans, salad and pie went "SPLITTTTTTTTT!"  along the side of the truck.  I asked my Uncle: "Are you okay?"  He merely smiled and said: "I am NOW!"  From that point forward, when in public he only drank a Pepsi, which he always kept in his hand. "From my hand...to my mouth" he would say.  Also, I only saw him eat from people he knew he could trust, like his wife, his daughters, his mother and his sister (my mother).

Third, he taught me to never shy away from Life, even in the face of tragedy.  When I was four or five, there was a fatal car accident a block away from where we lived.  My uncle hoisted me onto his shoulders above the spectators; I saw the dead auto driver and her two or three deceased young children, smashed and splattered against what was left of the car's dashboard and windshield.   My mother was angry at him for exposing me to that; but in retrospect I see the value of what he did.  Years later I learned that he had fought in the Korean War and had been severely injured.  Honorably discharged,  he had his own issues with P.T.S.D., but with the love and support of his family he "came back".  He worked in Civil Service until he retired.

At this very moment, I am definitely following the three lessons my Uncle taught me.  By writing this blog entry I am facing the fact that he is gone. I am trusting my wife by eating a bowl of her vegetarian soup (which has the flavor and consistency of unsalted baby food.  BEYAHHHHHH!).  As for my hair, it is already short; however, I'd better get out my shaving cream and razor, lest my Uncle re-appear and catch me off guard.

WAAAAAAOH!

 Always B Positive

--1/14/16