"What would Uncle John say?"

My brother Randy and I flew in to Georgia on Friday night, and with that I owe a thank you for the 11 mini-bottles of whiskey and 6 beers that AirTran provided us in first class on the flight.

If you ever fly AirTran, they offer you the ability to upgrade to first class at the time you check in, and it usually varies between $40-$85, depending on how far you're flying. If you like leg room and drinking, it is well worth it.

We're in town visiting with our sister Sandy and her family, and to partake in her annual Halloween party this past Saturday. But the trip took on a more somber purpose: we found out Saturday morning that our Uncle John passed away.

Uncle John was my dad's brother and my favorite uncle. He was probably one of the best men I ever knew, and I don't make that statement lightly. I have two nephews and three nieces myself, and whenever I'd interact with them I told myself I wanted to be just like my Uncle John to them. That's the kind of profound impact this man had on my life.

This news took all of my family by complete surprise. Uncle John was living healthy, seemed healthy when we saw him this summer, and to find out he was suddenly gone one night in his sleep completely boggles my mind and frightens my heart.

So as we digested the news and contemplated plans for going to Florida, we remembered that we had a Halloween party planned that night. How do you party after hearing news like this? So my sister Sandy put the question out there: "What would Uncle John say?"

Without any hesitation we all had the same answer: "Have that party!"

And we did. I went out and got my costume: a "Big and Tasty" pickle barrel with a convenient hole cut out of the front for "pickles" to be dispensed. (Pictures will eventually make their way to this blog.) Then we had an awesome time with a great group of people. It was wonderful to see friends from when I used to live in Georgia.

During the party I stopped for a moment and thought that somewhere my Uncle John is sitting with my Grandpa looking down on me and saying, "look at Bob's boy. That has to be the most ridiculous looking costume I've ever seen." I can't argue with that assessment.

I will miss you terribly, Uncle John. Thank you for showing me how a truly awesome Uncle should be. I could not have asked for a better gift.