I think my life changing event happened on April 1,2000. That’s the day my Uncle died in his sleep. It was a day that will change my life forever. On the morning of April 1st my sister and I were getting ready for school. At the time I was attending Bussey Middle School and my sister was attending North Garland High School. It was like the same old routine, wake up, put on our clothes, brush our teeth and get ready to leave. Well about 7:15 a.m. I heard my father calling my Uncle’s name to get up for work. When my Uncle didn’t answer he went into the room to check on him. After calling his name a couple more times my sister came into my room and the first words to come out her mouth was, “I think Uncle Garry is dead!” Before I could fully comprehend what was just said to me I went running into his room where I saw my dad trying to wake him up. He was saying, ”Garry wake up, Garry wake up!” After he didn’t respond my dad broke down with tears in his eyes as he laid his head in my Uncle’s chest. He told me to go call my mom and tell her what was happening. I was still in total shock and could barely move. But I snapped out of it and ran into the kitchen to call my mom who was already headed to work. She couldn’t believe what I was saying, but she told me she would be there as soon as she could. After I got off the phone with her I took the phone to my dad and he called the paramedics and told them what was going on. They came maybe fifteen minutes after we called, then pulled him out of bed, laid him on the floor and began to try and revive him. After five tries they pronounced him dead. They said he died of congested heart failure, which happens when your heart stops for a second and then starts back up. I was devastated; he was my closest and favoritest Uncle. He will always be that guy that wouldn’t take anything from nobody. The one who would always give and never expect anything in return.  He was such a great role model and till this day he will always be an inspiration to me. All of my stories are written for him and the rest of my family. By writing about him I keep his spirit alive throughout my house and my life. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful uncle. I am proud to say that my Uncle Garry was and always will be, “The Positive Male Role” model in my life. He gave my sister and me a better life. We will always love him for that.

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