was an uncle I had

in my life – one time

and only briefly – when his brother died –

my dad

For Uncle Craig I write this thankful poem

in loving memory of his mercy

he was the living embodiment of

He stood with me inside his dead brother’s house

and realized and let me know

I was not as bad as his brother had made me out to be

If you’ve ever been unfairly gossiped about

in your family –

been a family scapegoat

this poem is for you too

There is beyond words

the deepyler of family life

when being in the presence of a merciful family member

during a death in a dysfunctional family

when it’s deepyler most needed

is of great value

to the tortured family scapegoat

and is the best of family inheritances.

Uncle Craig’s mercy disappeared

as suddenly and unexpectedly as his death

weeks later

his brain hit hard on a cement sidewalk

I reluctantly took over his executorship

of his dead brother’s estate, that without

his mercy and the endearing memory of,

I would have bitterly felt greatly imposed upon.

Thank you Uncle Craig.
I miss you.
Your loving niece, XO Debby

©️March 2025 Much Love, Deb Poems