Uncle Freddie Passes

Well I found out last night that uncle Freddie died yesterday. I did not know him that well, mainly because we live out west and everyone else out east, but also because Freddie lived in a special home, so that even when I did visit Windsor, he was rarely accessible. Freddie was mentally handicapped. I remember as a child not knowing exactly how to deal with him, and I remember how my grandparents and parents dealt with that. "Just ask him to play cards with you Ian", they would say. And I, in my infinite superiority as a child, would give the old "but""but"..."Just go play cards with your uncle Freddie" they would continue. Finally on one of our Sunday visits, I gave in, and sat down at the table to play with him. I remember my father explaining the game to me, I think it was "Go Fish" or something, it was many years ago. I remember me thinking, 'this is silly, should I let him win?' Now this was one of the only days I ever spent 'locking horns' with my uncle Freddie. And yes I was only a child, but I remember losing game after game after game that day. I remember, on subsequent visits not wanting to play because he made me feel stupid. Later in life that day always humbled me when dealing with the mentally challenged, or physically challenged. It gave me a good reference for when I first read "Flowers for Algernon". And it gave me something to think about when things seemed to get a little tough. There are many things we all can do, and many things we cannot. Each of us brings something to the table. Sometimes our fears and prejudices keep us from ever finding other peoples talents or skills. All to often, if someone does not look at the world the way we do, or wish the world, the way we wish it to be, we simply dismiss them. Now don't get me wrong, I never dismissed my uncle Freddie, but today, the day after his death, I do wish I would not have been so afraid of losing, it would have been nice to have been dealt a few more hands from Freddie. Anyway my father and Uncle Chuck will be heading to Windsor on Saturday. I have been trying to get in touch with Grandma, but it appears she is out the house, putting things in motion. Hopefully I will speak with her today.