RIP Cousin in Random Thoughts

I moved to Vancouver, WA almost 3 years ago and learned that i had family from this area. One member in particular was my cousin Paul (cousin of my dad and uncles). Paul ended up in prison for most of his adult life, due to some very poor choices. He got out a few years ago and moved in with my uncle Phil. I remember the first time i met him :) It was like he was a 25 year old in a 50 year old body. He had thug-ish clothing, t shirts with skulls, jeans with straps. It makes me smile.

Conditions of his release were that he be a productive part of society, which he took to with integrity. Paul attended community college for an industrial certificate of some sort, did odd jobs for people until he got a decent paying job, and met an amazing woman and started taking sign language classes with her. Jill is quite the woman <3

On Monday morning i woke to a text from my uncle that Paul and Jill had been in a motorcycle accident. Jill was ok, but Paul suffered from brain trauma. The trauma was too great and last night he was taken off the ventilator. His time of passing was 9:50 pm. He was an organ donor.

I never had a favorite cousin until i met Paul. I instantly loved him. I did not get to spend enough time with him and he did not get enough time to enjoy life out of prison.

Once, when i was visiting the Bay Area, we went on a walking tour of Victorian houses and hiked around the neighborhoods of Coit Tower. There are these amazing wooden, slightly rickety steps that climb the hill to the tower. At one point i accidentally tripped him. That became his little joke about how i tried to push him down the stairs and kill him.

I will miss you incredibly, Paul. You were a high quality human being and i am proud to have been your cousin.