I still remember that day. My uncle, his wife, and my cousins all in my house, celebrating the Fourth of July like any American family. My dad barbecuing in the backyard while I and my other cousins played with sprinklers in the street with the neighborhood kids. My uncle, being the great person he was, took me and my baby sister to get hot dogs from a vendor up the corner. When we got home, I noticed he was acting a little odd. Forgetting things. Faltering in his steps...

Twenty six minutes later, he was rushed to the hospital.

I had never felt such terror. My uncle was like my best friend. So I sat at home, in the arms of my older cousin, who was fourteen at the time, while I cried.

He was released several days later with a clean bill of health. Doctors passed it off as a stroke, despite him not showing signs of it. He and my cousins returned to Louisiana a week later, once he was given the green light to fly home.

Six weeks later, doctors in Louisiana found three tumors in his brain.

He was going to die.

And, on October 13, 2003, Edward Matthews, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, died of brain cancer.

There is not a day that goes on that I don't remember him. His funeral was the very first funeral I had ever worn black to (since I have a vendetta against wearing black to funerals), and was the first one I cried at. Even now, remembering all these details, I'm crying silently. His death, even now, nearly seven years later, I have never gotten over.

I love you, Uncle Eddy. Rest in peace. heart

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya

When on the road to sweet Athy,
Hurroo Hurroo
When on the road to sweet Athy,
Hurroo Hurroo
When on the road to sweet Athy
A stick in the hand, A drop in the eye
A doleful damsel I heard cry
Johnny I hardly knew ya

Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the eyes that looked so mild
When my poor heart you first beguiled
Why did ya run from me and the child
Johnny I hardly knew ya

We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
Hurroo Hurroo
Where are the legs with which you run,
When first you went to carry a gun
Indeed your dancing days are done
Johnny I hardly knew ya

We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg,
Hurroo Hurroo
You hadn't an arm, you hadn't a leg
You're a spinless, boneless, chickenless egg
You'll Have to be put with the bowl to beg
Johnny I hardly knew ya

We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya

I'm happy for to see ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home,
Hurroo Hurroo
I'm happy for to see ya home
From the isle of Ceylon
Johnny I hardly knew ya

We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns,
Hurroo Hurroo
We had guns and drums and drums and guns
The enemy never slew ya
Johnny I hardly knew ya...


In Memory of Edward James Matthews
1930-2003