I just wanted to start out by saying that I am sorry for all the loses in the world. It is never fair to see a loved one pass away before their time, or even pass away at all. But we collect ourselves in the end and we live life even better from that day forward due to the things that our beloved ones have taught us and the wisdom they have shared with us.

I was sitting in my room on New Years night, talking to my mom who lives in Florida at the moment, wishing her a Happy New Years and all the things that go with it. Well the night was alright, wasn't able to hang out with friends due to money situations, but I had my step-mom, my dad, and my two brothers with me, and quiet frankly thats all I really needed.

I have family all over the place because my real parents are no longer together. But the best parts of my family, and the people that have really influenced my life are the people who live in Florida, being my Aunt and her two kids, my Aunt in North Carolina, and her three children, as well as both my father's sisters. I also have step-uncles in Texas that I really look up to sometimes as well.

Well the night had passed and it was around 4 o clock on January 1st of 2008. I thought this new year was going to be great for me, but boy was I wrong. I picked up the phone to my grandfather crying to me. I ran to my dad gave him the phone, and withing the next hour was told that my 19 year-old uncle had passed away this morning on his way to Colorado to a ski trip with his friends.

My uncle lived his life like he wanted too. He has been to France and to Italy and has already raced and fought against the bulls. He has been on numerous hiking, skiing, and fishing trips around the U.S. as well as had many memories with his friends and his beloved girlfriend. He has gotten numerous black-belts in all kinds of martial arts.

My uncle was smart beyond belief and had a brain to use it well. he was planning on becoming a Psychology professor at a college. he had it all planned out. but know one really expected this to happen. I hate going into details with people about what had happened, but in all fairness to all of you reading this, if was an accident of mother nature. He was never hit by another car, he was not drunk, and he was not on drugs when this happened. God just decided it was his time to come home.

I miss him already, even though we don't talk much during the year for we live over 1,000 miles from each other, and with both of us in college, it is hard to find time to talk. I looked up to him just like I looked up to my father. He was the most mature person I have ever met at his age. He always had the looks and the charm for the girls, as well as the money from my grandfather to back it up. I always wanted to be like him, adventurous, outgoing, and so self-disciplined with a wonderful work ethic.

It hurts to know I cant see him every summer now, when I go to visit my grandfather. I will miss him dearly as well as the rest of the family. I love you man, and I cant wait to see you up in heaven.

R.I.P. DW

Learn more about this author, Anton Witte.
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