Then Uncle Willis exclaimed in his typical enthusiasm, "CLAIM IT".
To which I said to him, "Ah, but Uncle Willis, do you know what the 4 words are BEFORE that verse? It is "THE LORD IS NEAR."
Uncle Willis said, "I learned from you today."
I wasn't able to see Uncle Willis again after that, but every time I called, he would tell me that he loved me. I think he made sure to tell everyone that he loved them because he knew that THE LORD IS NEAR.
I shed many tears for my enthusiastic and loving uncle today. But he is no longer suffering from stag 4 lung cancer, and for that I am glad. But I sure feel an emptiness in my heart for him.
Uncle Willis was the only uncle on the Lee side that took me out for a whole day adventure. I don't know how old I was, maybe 13. We went to Fort Langley. I also remember we stopped at a White Spot drive thru and had a blueberry pie. He sure made me feel special...just me and him...out for a whole day.
Uncle Willis was the one that arranged for me to go to 24th Ave. Gospel Chapel since it would be too far for me to go to his church in West Van. He arranged for a lady to pick me up that first Sunday, and she & her family continued to take me to church for many years after that.
When I got engaged, Uncle Willis took me out for dinner to Hon's Wonton House on Robson. He gave me his stamp of approval for Michael. He said he liked Michael because he doesn't strut his feathers around like a peacock.
At my wedding reception, I specifically left instructions for the caterer to make a fresh pot of coffee (not hotel coffee but real quality coffee) just for Uncle Willis. I think the catering manager personally delivered that pot of coffee to Uncle Willis directly. I didn't want him to rate "the coffee a D. D for dishwater."
I am chuckling now about an incident in NYC when we were there for Scott & Cindy's wedding. Something about buying orange juice at a corner store as it was cheaper than paying hotel prices. Then Auntie Maye saying, "You better go get that orange juice if you know what is good for you." All of a sudden, there was a whole group us heading to that corner store to buy groceries. An asian invasion in that little store!
These are just some of my memories with Uncle Willis.
