Don't Back Down

Glenn Shaw just died. I never called him Glenn, or even Mr. Shaw. Instead, I always referred to him as Uncle Chubby. Even though he wasn't technically my uncle. I think the correct term is that he was my uncle first removed (he is my mom's uncle). But he was still Uncle Chubby to me. To a lot of folks, actually. Though some did call him Glenn, many in our family just called him Chub. Or Chubby. Not just us kids, either.

I used to spend some time with Uncle Chubby each summer. Sometimes it was shared, in a beach house we would get for family reunions. Sometimes it was more direct, perhaps staying with him for a few days or a week. I'll never forget those times. One summer he taught me to shake hands. Firm, but not too firm. Let them know you mean it, but it's not about hurting the other person. Just let them know you're there and that you mean business.

Over the years, Uncle Chub would teach me much, much more. When his wife had a stroke in church a few years ago, I went to visit them, and he showed me the true meaning of devotion. Over the years, that devotion never waned. He was as strong as ever. Perhaps stronger, as you consider his physical challenges. He still took care of his wife every day, to show that he meant business. I've never thought of it, but if he wasn't the inspiration for the name of my blog, he ought to be. Don't Back Down describes Uncle Chub more accurately than I ever would have thought.

In the last few weeks, his condition deteriorated significantly. Apparently the chemotherapy had severely damaged his lungs, and he needed constant oxygen just to approach anything like a normal breath. He went home to his daughter's house on Monday, and we knew that he only had days to live when he did. I'm just glad he had the opportunity to go home. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to know him. To learn from him.

Goodbye Uncle Chub. We all love you. We'll all miss you.