Why are you smiling?

Why are you smiling?

Rashid, the driver of the uber asked me this question.
I am content because i got to see my GodUncle smile.
A week ago i got a text message from my Uncle's son, Dr. Sunil -

Dad has inoperable liver cancer, he's got days left!

Yesterday, I got to spend the day with him at home - he's in a lot of pain, managed with some palliative medications.
Not only was he not complaining, he seemed content. This is the Jose Uncle that received me and Sachin 28 years ago into this same home - this was my permanent address for several years in this adopted country, America. He was the one we turned to for counsel and help.
My Appa, sent me off to America with a lot of angst, assured by Jose Uncle
all will be well.
Jose Uncle has been a constant in my life. He's the one to turn to.

Ask Jose Uncle about mortgage - Appa would say
Jose Uncle called me on the eve of my wedding, "Balaji, Do you need money?" 

Matter of fact, practical

And on occasion he's show his super-sensitive side for his friend when he called me to say,

Appa is feeling hurt.

Not a man to waste words - but wlways assured of a laugh from him, a matter of fact pragmatic view of life and simple sensibilities. There are many a times, our conversation would start with Uncle telling me that he'd received a large paycheck for $1748 (number made up) - people's incomes are secret, not for Uncle.
He lived larger than life, by his rules with a caring word for all around him.

Yesterday when i was with him, his neighbors visited with him, and reminisced about all the times they came here to get their dose of laughter from him.
Though in his last days, still coming with that expectation.

His parting words, "Balaji, you know Ananthan and I are best-friends."

I know that and have felt it all my adult life; those words took me to a warm place; i put my head on his chest to let that sink in.

Uncle, you lit up all of our lives and the glow will always warm us.

Uncle's surrounded by family - 2 lovely angels thanks to  Dr. Sunil and his wonderful wife, Huma

Mariamma Aunty is the rock - the matriarch, the steadying hand. Them, operating as a single unit was a thing to marvel and learn from.

Uncle, thank you for everything you taught me by living it - not by lecturing about it. You did well for us.
Be assured, we'll do our part to pay-it-foward