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Uncle Wisdom: How My Late Uncle Taught Me to Live (and Eventually Be Alone)

In a world where self-help books are thicker than a triple-stacked burger and social media influencers preach the gospel of hustle 24/7, my late Uncle Terry—who passed away on March 22, 2024—remains the unsung philosopher of our times. 

While some people seek enlightenment from gurus and expensive retreats, Uncle Terry imparted his life lessons with the subtle grace of a knock-knock joke at Thanksgiving dinner.

First and foremost, Uncle Terry always said, “How can someone miss you if you don’t go away?” 

A puzzling line that, after countless rounds of debate at family gatherings, I’ve come to interpret as a call for the occasional retreat. 

“It’s like when you’re trying to win hide-and-seek—you gotta vanish for a bit so people actually notice your absence,” he’d chuckle, with that twinkle in his eye that suggested he knew more than he let on.

He also had a knack for debunking the modern obsession with wealth. “Not everything is about money,” he’d say, as he nibbled on a hot dog at the casino. 


In his eyes, life's true riches were measured not in dollars, but in the laughter you shared and the memories you made—even if those memories eventually fade faster than your smartphone battery.

And when it came to living in the moment, Uncle Terry was a one-man pep rally: “Enjoy it now because you can’t take it with you.” 

Wise words for a man who believed that every sunrise was a free sample of life’s buffet.

Perhaps his most profound—and somewhat unsettling—insight was his declaration that “we live as we dream… alone.” 

According to Uncle Terry, loneliness wasn’t something to fear, but a natural state of being. 

“In the end,” he’d say, “you’re eventually, inevitably alone. So, why not make the best of it?” 

This wasn’t a call to isolate oneself, but rather a reminder to cherish the fleeting moments of connection while accepting the existential truth that our final chapter might be a solo one.

 

Finally, he dropped the mic with his final lesson: “If you believe your purpose in life is to serve yourself… then you have no purpose in life.” 

A sentiment that resonates even more in today’s self-centered digital era, where the hustle for personal gain often leaves community and compassion by the wayside.

Uncle Terry’s words, delivered with a mix of humor, sincerity, and a dash of irreverence, continue to guide me through life’s ups and downs. 

In a society that often equates success with material wealth and constant connectivity, his timeless advice offers a refreshing reminder to take a step back, laugh a little, and remember that sometimes, the best way to be noticed is to disappear for a while!

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Uncle Terry is mentioned in the below article as well for his history with IHOP

IHOP & Applebee's Unite: The Ultimate Culinary Mashup Under One Roof 

 

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