My Uncle, the chef.

Uncle - miss you and this one is for you!

Dear ole Uncle Gordon. How I miss seeing you and hanging out with you. My fondest memories are with you in your sanctuary...the kitchen. I remember being at grandma and grandpas house watching you cook a 5 course meal for a family of 13. Watching you scramble in the kitchen with your t-shirt, cooking pants, and clogs on. The smells in the room made my mouth water. The smell of meats, veges, and then meringue cookies filled the air. As I sat at the table watching you scurry around, I realize now that I was seeing you at your best. In your own world doing what you love. You have inspired me to do what I love. Looking back, you always followed your love and passion for cooking. If you weren't cooking in your own restaurant in Denver across the street from the Capital building, you were teaching at the cooking schools. If you weren't in the kitchen whipping something up, you were at the grocery store buying your ingredients to whip something up. Uncle, I pray you can get back into the kitchen. I pray you can get back to what makes you feel good and alive. No more emergency runs, no more hospital stays. Do what you can to make you feel where you belong. Get yourself better so I can watch and admire you at your best. Whip me up some of grandma's favorite cookies.

* Pic: my mom and aunt flew up to St. Louis to be with him for his surprise birthday.

** Pic: I was VERY shocked to see these pictures. I hadn't seen my uncle since my Grandpa's funeral in 2005. This is NOT the uncle I grew up with. I can't believe the illness has made him age this much. It's like looking at my grandpa's twin brother. I will admit I cried when I first saw these. I asked my mom where my uncle went. This possibly couldn't be him. But it is...uncle, I pray we get you a new liver fast! You're on the list and that's the first step.

This post is dedicated to my uncle (of course). He has a bad liver. He's confused and not taking the meds which causes more problems. He has been placed back in the hospital today...we continue to pray.

Love you Uncle Gordon,

Your little niece