Uncle Graham

Uncle Graham had been my favourite Uncle. He was funny, kind, silly and as a child the one I was always itching to visit.

Our humour was similar, I would always drag him into my latest 'Gabby Production'. Whether starring alongside my favourite teddy in a stage production in front of family or merely using him as a replacement for my Girls World to practice my limited makeup skills. He would always oblige willingly and interject a sense of mischief into everything we did.

Two weeks ago though, a day after my twenty fourth birthday - everything changed. At the mere age of forty six, he had collapsed at work holding is head, dying there and then of a ruptured brain aneurysm. Unbeknown to his family he had learnt about his impeding fate two years previously. He had put is estate in order in case the worst should happen and it had. Today as I sit alongside my mother, father, brother and grandparents in this musty wood panelled room the realisation hits hard that he has gone. The deep void in my heart reaffirms this and as I look around, I can see the loss in the eyes of all within the room.

I had never been to a will reading before and was unsure of what to expect. My thoughts are interrupted by the bumbling behind me. A weathered man of rotund stature enters the room. He mumbles a few apologies and greetings before sitting himself down at the antique desk before us.

He reads out a note from my Uncle, filled with the warmth and humour we all so loved. It immediately breaks the tension in room. One by one, he reads through my Uncle’s wishes. My grandparents acquiring his house and Derek the ‘ill-tempered’ dog. For my parents, some money and childhood memorabilia that makes my mother smile fondly. Arthur, my brother receives his epic guitar collection and car. Then it is my turn. I wiggle nervously in my chair as I am handed a curious small black notebook and news that I have inherited twenty thousand pounds.

Once home, I kick off my shoes. Pour myself a Cabinet Sauvignon and stand in the kitchen staring down at the black book with the matching ribbon bookmark peeking out the top. I run my fingers over the rounded corners as it sits upon my kitchen counter. Part of the instruction from the solicitor was that I was not to open the book till I got home. I had been itching to peel back the front page all the way home in the Uber but I could hear Uncle Graham’s voice niggling in the back of my mind ‘Gabby you are so impatient, you’re just like your mother’.

Picking the book up, I felt the softness of its cover. ‘What is this all about?’ I whispered, as I walked into the lounge, curling up in my favourite chair by the window. I took a big glug of wine and then placed my glass on the coaster next to me. Opening the book slowly, my heart flipped as I saw Uncle Graham’s handwriting before me ‘Dear Gabs …’

My stomach knotted slighlty and I closed it quickly. It felt strange but the urge to know more was greater.

I took another deep gulp of wine and then continued to read ….

‘For all the adventures we have shared I want to thank you.

From a baby to the beautiful young lady you have become you always made me smile. Your cheekiness and lust for life rivals only mine. I want you to carry on being brave in life, taking chances and sharing the kindness you have at your core. I am sorry that life threw such a big curve ball and that I am no longer there to see you grow in person. I will be there in spirit though and therefore I leave you this book. Inside are new adventures for you to enjoy. To help push you out of your comfort zone and in some way fulfil some unfinished business of my own. Use the money well young lady and live this adventure for both of us. Keep smiling. Be true to who you are and never look back with regret! Love Always Uncle G xx’

As I leafed through each page the smile grew wider across my face and the feeling of love intensified all around me. I felt as though he was beside me. As I read aloud from the beautifully written pages before me.

‘Zip wire the worlds longest line’ I snorted. Coughing on the wine that had just gone down the wrong way. Composing myself, I continued ‘Give flowers for a stranger who looks sad’ smiling wistfully I nodded in agreement. ‘Sing karaoke with your brother, then buy the audience a drink’ I grimaced. ‘You are kidding me’ I shouted into the air recalling an impromptu band session with myself, brother and uncle. They had been amazing. I on the other hand had not.

The pages were filled with fun, wonderous things to do. Each one linked to a memory or a conversation I had had with my Uncle. He had remembered everything. Truly listened to me and my dreams whilst adding in a few of his own for humour.

As I turned to the last page, I could not help but feel a little sad but at the same time elated. His final words read.

‘Your adventures await – what are you waiting for! Grab the world with both hands darling, everything is out there waiting for you.'

I smiled, closed the book and then slipped it into my bag. Standing up and brushing down my crumpled dress I shouted ‘Let’s do this’ before grabbing my coat and slamming the door behind me. Let the adventures begin.