When the phone rings

• When the phone rings at 8:50 am you know it isn't going to be good...
• When the phone rings and it's not your son's school with a problem you know it isn't going to be good...
• When the phone rings and it's not a telemarketer you know it isn't going to be good...
• When the phone rings and it's not your Mom calling to chat away her ride to work you know it isn't going to be good...

However, when the phone rings at 8:50 am the last thing you expect to hear is your Father telling you that your uncle, his brother is dead.

My Uncle Mark, age 51 or 52 died of a diabetic complication sometime in the last 2 days at his home. His current girlfriend alerted police after he didn't answer his phone for just over a day. My Dad was told by the police that he was gone after they'd arrived and found his body.

My Dad is currently at his brother's home waiting for the crematorium to pick up his body and going through his things.

My Uncle has had severe diabetes for as long as I can remember. From what the girlfriend says he wasn't taking care of himself because he was sick on average, twice a week. He hated being restricted on what and when he could eat. He hated giving up alcohol and only stopped drinking about a year ago.

Rest in peace Uncle Mark. Hopefully you're in a place where you can eat, drink and be happy.