I'm SO Ready For Friday

This week cannot end soon enough!

Yesterday was an emotional day for me. An uncle of mine passed away last month. March 3rd...the same day I left for a week-long trip. I was already traveling when I got the news. I continued my trip and have been riddled with guilt about it ever since. I didn't miss any of the services, though, because they scheduled them for the 10th and 11th. I returned home on the 9th.

This uncle of mine, had a nick-name for just about everyone he knew. His name for me was, "Big Ape". I cannot remember how we started calling each other that, but it was not meant to be mean. We always said it with a smile. For as long as I can remember, we exchanged apes. Stuffed gorillas for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, birthdays, whatever...I've lost count of the number of apes exchanged between us.

Within the last year, he moved out of his house into a small apartment. He could not take all of his belongings because of space limitations. He took only the necessities. Yesterday, his oldest son was cleaning out the apartment. He found one of the apes I had given to my uncle. He came to the school to find me. I had my back to the door and I heard, "I'm looking for Big Ape."

I spun around to see who dared call me by my uncle's nick-name. I was happy to see my cousin standing there. He was holding something and when I realized what it was, I let out a little gasp. He asked if I remembered it. I told him, "Of course I do."

He said, "This was one of Dad's favorites out of all his apes. I found it while cleaning his apartment today. I think he'd be happy to know you were getting it back."

I thanked him, we hugged, and he left. I thought I was okay and for a while I was. Then I saw Space Cadet. I told her about the ape and she asked if I was okay. I said I was, but then felt a tear run down my cheek. She hugged me and I started to really cry. She cried with me and we talked about my uncle for a while. She, too, had a nick-name from him. I never knew that.

I brought the ape home and was emotional all night long. I think because I wasn't here for that week before his services, it didn't really sink in that he was gone. I was exhausted from my trip and didn't have the quality time with my family right after his death so I don't think I really dealt with it properly. Yesterday was the first time I admitted to myself that he is indeed gone.

After my emotional day yesterday, I was hoping for a smooth day at work. No such luck. The copy machine broke down, Space Cadet was having phone issues so calls were not going where they should...if they were able to get through at all. And the kids....oh, the kids. One of my nephews ran away so I was one of 4 people sent out to hunt for him. I found him on the beach. He almost refused to return to school with me but we decided that he needed to return and face the consequences before he made it worse for himself. Luckily, he finally agreed to come with me but I had to keep his mind distracted by playing dumb. I let him tell me how to fish, all the while acting like I had no idea. His dad showed up and took him home, which I did not agree with. He WANTED to leave school. He got what he wanted.

Anyway, we got through that and then a boy got a bloody nose and panicked. Took a while to calm him down and a little girl fell and hurt her arm. She got hysterical. So much so, that I thought she'd hyperventilate. Got her calmed down and relaxed just in time for an emergency call at the junior high.

So now I am drained. Whew!