It has been almost seven years and the disgust is still so prevalent. The memories of my in-laws, and their actions have forever created a wall between us in which the Great Wall of China pales in comparison.

Our Uncle was the true American Dream, everything he touched turned to gold. His family were shop workers and they were far from poor, but our Uncle- he created millionaire in himself and built a monopoly in an industry that had none. He was funny, adventurous, cunning, brave and brilliant. He was an honest person and he was my husband's hero. Many would even remark on he uniqueness saying no one is like our Uncle. He was truly one of a kind.

A fan of race car driving, this is where our beloved Uncle lost his life. Granted he did have his boots on and would have chosen no other way to go. Because oif this it was sudden and the more devastating. Now, what happened next is not what this great matriarch would have conceived.

He had a life insurance policy, $1 million.

It began with the funeral, my husband's brother started to discuss in the Limo- if he would get his Lincoln. Then, days later, his business partner stepped forward to collect the insurance money. See, my Uncle had a new wife, but he died before he changed it and it defaulted to his business partner. Now, he could have done the right thing, but he didn't he went to close all the businesses our uncle owned and liquidated his company owned assets for profit and to pay the taxes. Now my Uncles' estranged son decided he wanted the house. Now, heaven forbid that the wife gets the family home- or would even get to keep her own property. Nope, she had 30 days to vacate the premises and then had to sell her property to pay off the back taxes when they came due in the following April. Our Uncles family would speak of her, but never said even a word to her at the funeral- directly, just introduce and then his mother and father focused on each other and all focused on them. Of course this is their baby boy, but just complained as the vultures tore apart our Uncle's memory. Grief is a wonderful mask.

The relationship after his death with our in-laws does not exist. We are shut out- being our Uncle was obviously the paste that held our prior relationship together. The business is there- none of our family even a part of it. Our cousin sold his shares with the proceeds of the hunting property our Uncle and his brothers had for over 25 years. Let us just say he does not have the same gift his father had with entrepreneurship.

What holds us together is to forever honor our uncle and his memory. Also, to know that Wills and Insurance are the one thing that will be airtight and current so when the vultures come out, they will only get the crumbs.

Learn more about this author, Tammy Bowles.
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