You will be missed Uncle Franchot

 I originally wrote this July 2013. For some reason I never published it.

As I sit and ponder the events of last week I am truly humbled. Jared's uncle unexpectedly passed away. He was the third child of eleven, and the first to pass away.  

Franchot was a Vietnam vet who ultimately gave his life for his country. He survived "Hamburger Hill" and he still had shrapnel through out his body from the war. There was a piece by his heart that they could not remove that caused the aneurism that killed him.

He was a kind man that was always helping other people. 
As I look back at my memories of him, I remember that he was kind of a pain in the butt at times, BUT I am so happy I got to know this kind man and spend the time with him that I did. Let me explain. 

When his second child was born him and his wife were going through a divorce and a bitter custody battle. I would babysit this little girl while her mom worked. Franchot would come over to my house to visit his precious baby girl whenever he was in town. He would come about 3 or 4 days a week and stay for anywhere from 3-7 hours at a time, for several months just to hold, play with , and bond with his baby. At the time it would annoy me because I had stuff to do and sitting here with him was not exactly convenient. I have been thinking about this a lot this week and I am so glad I gave him that opportunity! His little girl just turned 15 and I told her about this experience at the grave site on Monday. She had no idea he had gone to such lengths to spend time with her as a baby. I hope she realizes how much he loved her and wanted to spend time with her. 

He always teased me about my boys. He had 2 girls and every time I was pregnant he told me it would be a girl "because our family doesn't have very many boys, mostly girls." When I was expecting my 5th boy he said half jokingly, "Why do you get all the boys?!"

My little Ammon next to his great grandma's grave wearing the Lindsay plaid straight from Scotland! Franchot is buried right next to his mother.

Jared and I had the privilege of making the video tribute for the viewing. He was there guiding the painful process the whole time. We could not have gotten it done, and had it turn out so nice without him helping make it what he wanted it to be!

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and did his best to follow the commandments. I know he can help his daughters more from the other side of the veil and I hope they can feel his presence and his love for them! I know we will all see him again one day. 

You will be missed Uncle Franchot! May you rest in peace.