My Tribute to my Uncle Graham

This is a tribute to my Uncle Graham who passed away earlier this week:

When I think of my Uncle Graham, my mind immediately turns to my little family’s 2010 trip from America to New Zealand. As he took us on a tour of Awapiri, I recognized the genuine “salt-of-the-Earth” nature of his character. His quiet dignity and a decorum that was so clearly in touch with the land and animals he’d made his life’s work. (With, perhaps, the exception of the period in which we watched a handball game—he was a little less quiet!) I admired him. As we stayed up late one night, discussing our experiences in South Africa, I witnessed how much love he had for his family, and particularly Aunt Bev. He asked me questions about my career as a writer, and wanted to see one of the Batman children’s books I’d written. He wanted to see my name in print. As he looked at the name—I think primarily at our own shared last name—I told him he could keep the book, if he wanted. The already familiar, almost-mischievous smile passed across his lips. “I think I may be a little young for this,” he said, handing the book written for nine year olds back to me.

A couple weeks later, Graham visited my dad in the US. I wish you could have all seen the pure glee that and joyous anticipation that covered my father as he eagerly anticipated his brother’s arrival. The two weeks Graham and my dad were together seemed to be some of the happiest times I’d ever seen my dad have. It was rewarding for me to see these two Black brothers together, their relationship reflective of another generation of Black brothers—mine and my brother Jon’s. Outside of my wife, Jon is the closet friend I have, and there is no one (save my wife and son) I love more than him. To witness that same love between my dad and Graham—a love built on shared experiences good and bad, unwavering through the challenges of life, death, and growing age—was, and will always be, the model for me and how I want to continue my relationship with my brother for the next 30-40 years.
Uncle Graham was indeed a gentleman’s gentleman.

A giant in the New Zealand sheep breeding industry, but more importantly a hero and example to his family. The world lost a dignified titan last week. And though we can’t be there in person, please know that our great love, thoughts, and prayers go out to Averil, Dorothy and my dad on the loss of their brother. More significantly, we send our love to Bev, Duncan, Sally, and Nicola who lost a man that defined to them husband, father, and hero.

Egypt

I'm fairly certain that when they make a commemorative DVD of Mubarak's resignation, they'll add the celebrations on Naboo and Tatooine

World Cancer Day 2011

Pause and give a thought to the cancer patients, survivors, a fallen fighters you know today.