In the time since I last blogged, quite a bit has happened. And just a heads up, this post is a bit fragmented. I was in Eureka, working on my favorite tall ship when I got a call from my mom, telling me that my uncle had passed away suddenly.

That was kind of a shock. By kind of, I mean really. I mean, my uncle wasn't that old and, ironically, I had been terrified when I left home for my seven-month sailing stint that someone in my family was going to die and I wasn't going to make it home for the service.

I have to be honest though, while this isn't the kind of thing you ever expect, I wasn't expecting my Uncle to be the family member that I wouldn't be seeing again for a while.

I was and am very lucky in my crew and captain because they understood that I was a little in shock for almost a week and helped me get home for the service. Though I'll be honest, I prayed about that a lot (and a lot of friends gave advice and helped me get home) and was prepared to move hell, snow and storm to get there.

Not only did I feel like I needed to be there for myself, to remember and honor my Uncle Gary, but I also wanted to be there to love and support my family and grieve with them.

We're a really close family, and it was a shock for everyone. I am blessed everyday that God gave me the other four in the Cavender Five, and that I have the extended family that I have.

I have two other uncles, Uncle Rich (Mom's big brother, who gives me amazing things to read and has great taste in literature and film) and Uncle Pat (who is not technically related, but we have adopted, so that should tell you something). I have been blessed with my Uncles, Aunts and cousins, just like I have been blessed with my imidiate family.


I'll miss my uncle. He had kind of not  been as much of a part of my life for a while, and there were years he gave my socks for Christmas. But he was coming back and being the cool uncle that I remember from when I was little. You know the type, your dad's little brother who gives you loud and obnoxious toys and takes you riding on fourwheelers.


The kind of uncle that, frankly, every kid needs to have.

The kind I've been blessed to have.


I love you Uncle Gary. Rest in Peace. I bet you're racing around heaven with a super amazing dumptruck/racecar hybrid.