You were never a great uncle.
Great Uncles show up at family parties
Every year saying “you’ve grown so much”
You never were a great uncle;
You were my second dad...
Happy and full of life like a puppy greeting their owner as they walk through the door
You took me fishing and Christmas tree hunting.
You always had the best advice and were always there
Whenever anyone asked for help whether it was 3 in the morning
Or 5 o’clock at night you were there.

You played the accordion and surrounded me with Irish music
The piano playing its song while we talked next to the burning fire
The way you were always in jeans and a jean jacket coming home from work
Seeing your stark white pickup truck going down the street and the friendly wave
I knew it was your truck because of the wrestling sticker on back

There are so many things that remind me of you
You were everywhere and at the same time you weren’t
I looked forward to Halloween watching everyone else getting scared
As I just walked past the coffin you jumped out of knowing it was just
My Papa Mike.

Not only did you put up a great display for Halloween I still remember
How it would be the middle of winter and you would be sitting in your beloved hot tub. There are so many words to describe you and so many different memories that I will cherish forever.

You were never a great uncle,
You were my second dad
You were my Papa Mike
And I appreciate all the time I had with you.