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Molly A. Morgan |
Although I have known Tim for the better part of my life, it wasn't until I began college that Tim and my dad started High Cotton. They came to see me at school when they were on one of their many "business trips" and I was eager to show them around the campus and show them my dorm room. However they weren't allowed past the front desk without leaving some form of identification. Of course I assumed that rule didn't apply to family members so I started to walk right past the desk with my dad and Tim in tow when we were stopped by the "dorm police" and told they couldn't go any further unless they left their driver's license at the desk.
I stared at the student working the desk, totally dumbfounded and said, "But this is like, my dad and like, my uncle and stuff", sounding every bit the teenager. Both my dad and Tim found that quite hilarious and from that second on Tim was "Uncle Stuff." I never called him Tim after that and if I did he wouldn't respond and every note he ever sent me was signed "Uncle Stuff." At some point he bestowed upon me the glorious nickname of "The Mollmeister" and of course he never referred to me by my name - I was always The Mollmeister. Every once in a while Tim would call me for no particular reason except to say hello and see how I was doing. When I would answer the phone I would hear him say in that gorgeous voice, "The Mollmeister - how's it goin'? It's Uncle Stuff here." Every time his greeting was the same.
Tim was so many things to so many people - a friend, a mentor, a wonderful husband to Betsy and a fantastic dad to Matthew, but he will always be Uncle Stuff to me. He was a man among men - a true gem. I will miss you forever dear Uncle Stuff. |
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