I’d like to tell you the story of my uncle, well he wasn’t actually my uncle he was my mothers uncle: so I guess he was my great uncle. Have you ever met someone that had a twinkle in their eye? Someone who you looked at and you could just see in their eyes; warmth, compassion and a total love for life and all that it has to offer. Marvin Kasmir (known to his son’s and grand children as KAZ, but to me ” The Great KAZ”) was that someone.

It was a hot summer day at my mothers house this past year, and we were having a family party. We dragged my Grandmother and her sister known to all as (Aunt Suzie) out to Long Island, along with all of my real uncles and as much of our small family that we could gather. To just celebrate life. It was a great party and everyone had a wonderful day, it is one that will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.

It was on that day that I first noticed the “twinkle” in Marvin’s eye, he had a way of making you feel comfortable, whenever he spoke to you it was like you were the only person in the world. He would always accept your opinion, even if it wasn’t his own. He had an incredible sense of humor and could make any one laugh. It was on that day that I realized that he was someone I really wanted to get to know. He was someone that I could learn from, laugh with and talk to. Unfortunately I did not realize how little time I had to get to know him.

Marvin had beaten pancreatic cancer several years before, I was not aware that in the past year his cancer had come back with such a force that he had been given only a few months to live. He did not want people to know he was sick; he did not want to be sad or angry and let that horrible disease destroy his spirit. He fought back with every ounce of strength and will to keep smiling and savor every single day he was given by the Lord. He knew his time was short, but that ” twinkle” never faded.

It was a cold rainy November day and I was on my way to Slone-Kettering Hospital, my Mom had called and said, “You really need to see Marvin Today.” I arrived at the hospital soaking wet and freezing. I met Aunt Suzie (Marvin’s Mother) in the hallway. She gave me a big hug and a kiss and said, “I am so happy to see you Mikey, you are all wet!” She took a towel and began to dry my hair, “Marvin is not having a good Day,” she said.

When I walked into the room I saw this wonderful man bed ridden covered in tubes and struggling to breathe. Then I saw that “Twinkle” and knew he was happy to see me. I had been praying for the Lord to grant him comfort and Peace, and several days later the Lord did.

I remember standing with my family at Marvin’s’ funeral and Aunt Suzie saying “My God My Son,” and my heart fell. I have never felt more sorrow in my life than I did that day. It is a true sin for a mother to bury their child.

I look back on all of this and realize that we all meet in this world for a reason. God has a plan for all of us, we do not know this plan and we never will. He puts us together to love, live and make each other’s lives better. I wish I had not waited so many years to get to know “The great Kaz”. I was too late.

I made a promise to my self to love life, forgive myself of my past. To walk in the light of Christ, and to always be as kind, caring compassionate as “The Great Kaz”.

Don’t be too late. Get to know your family, make lasting friendships, tell someone you love them, forgive the past, and forgive yourself. God only wants us to love one another if we don’t reach out and share his love, we are all lost and missing out on the best parts life has to offer. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time, make a new friend, forgive a past wrong, and pray for those who do not walk in the light of Christ. Most of all when you can pray for your own forgiveness the rest is easy.

Contributed by Mike Minor. Comments/Feedback are welcome Mminor1702@aol.com