Joe Megara was my eldest uncle and he contributed to mine and brother’s lives a lot. Him and Aunt Kathy always included us in their family and took in me, my mom and brother many times when times were really tough for us. Some of those times were around the holidays. My Uncle Joe and Aunt Kathy always welcomed us for as long as we needed to stay and when Christmas came Uncle Joe always bought the biggest tree I have ever seen. Aunt Kathy always decorated it with her bubbling candles and tinsel and my cousins never complained that we were there intruding on their Christmas (at least we never knew if they did). My cousins always shared everything with me and brother whenever we had to live with them. My Uncle Joe always was strong, loving and was involved with his family. He always made sure his kids had a home to return to when they needed to and that he and Aunt Kathy were always there for their grandchildren. There was one time I thought Uncle Joe was crazy, when he was on a kick of eating beets and always tried to make me eat them… He would laugh and giggle when I did try and I started gagging. I always had fun over Uncle Joe’s when we lived with them and when we were visiting. He always had animals like dogs, bunnies, and hamsters. He also had three wheelers for us to ride on. One year I remember he pulled us on sleds behind his truck on a snowy night on Mary Ellen Lane. I got to visit with him and Aunt Kathy last year in their new house and watch Uncle Joe set up and play with his trains. We went out to breakfast every morning and I got know their Veteran friends and he always bought my breakfast. I never had to worry when I was with Uncle Joe. I miss him very much already and I love him very much. I know that love has gone up to heaven with him and I am so glad he loved me too because I know he is another guardian angel helping me and my family.