I'm Back!

Sorry for the gap in posting. I am finally back in Okinawa after a long but much needed trip back to the States.

It was an unexpected trip back for the funeral of my Uncle Jim Flanagan. Though it was a very unfortunate reason to go home, I can't express how much it meant to me to be there with family during this difficult time. One can feel the devastating loss from a distance, but it's the healing process that is stunted without the opportunity to mourn with those who loved him most.

Cousins Steve, Brian and Kevin Flanagan

There was a viewing on Wednesday evening, January 5th, and the funeral was the next day. During this time I spoke with many people who knew Uncle Jim in various ways. It was a wonderful experience to see him through the eyes of so many. I know him as Uncle or family. I see him on holidays, at weddings, or for birthdays. However, during those two days, I saw him as a classmate, teammate, coach, prayer partner, Hibernian, Greybrook Lake board member, Eucharistic minister, neighbor, fellow pet walker and friend. He was a positive influence in the lives of so many and will be missed by them all.

Catherine is looking at the picture boards representing all the faces from Uncle Jim's life!

The silver lining in all of this was the presence of 11 of 12 Flanagan cousins. This hasn't happened in God knows how long!! It was really nice to have time with Mike, Brian and Kevin Flanagan and their dad, my Uncle John, who live in California. We don't get to spend as much time together as we would like. During their visit, the family had an Irish toast to Uncle Jim. We shared our memories of him; good, bad, and honest. We toasted to him and his life. It was a very positive way to say goodbye and to start the healing process with an open line of communication within the family.

Brian, Mike, and Kevin Flanagan document the snow!!

Julie, Andy, Gwyn, and Carolyn before the Irish toast.

The following Friday, we spent the evening at the Golden Ace, a favorite hangout for Uncle Jim, his friends, and the countless numbers of the East Side Irish. Many came to share their love, memories, and sorrow for Uncle Jim. We had a few Irish toasts and lots of beers and a laughs.

Mom and Gwynn at the Ace.

Steve, Danny, and Coach with an Irish toast.

Aunt Anne and friends at the Ace

These guys will certainly miss Jim Flanagan.

In the end, no words can express the deep sorrow we feel over losing him. No amount of stories, beers, or gatherings can fix this pain. But hopefully we can learn from his life and share in this healing process together. We have to move forward but will never forget our Uncle Jim.

Uncle Jim's Final Resting Place

I am sad to report the passing of my beloved Uncle Jim Flanagan. His death was a shock to us all and he will be greatly missed by many. During the 24 hour trip from Okinawa to Indianapolis for his funeral, I had plenty of time to reflect on him, his life, and all that I will miss about him. This little piece is more for my own healing than for anyone else's benefit, but I wanted to share it with you all. This is how I choose to see my Uncle Jim spending eternity... at our family's lake where he loved to spend time. Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time. We will all miss him beyond words.

Along the banks of Greybrook Lake nestled in the hills of southern Indiana there is a modest cabin and a window into heaven.


The lake is lined with trees, wooden docks, and cattails. The eastern end is dammed with a sturdy concrete structure that no storm or act of God could shake. The water is murky. It highlights the sun's rays as they race through to the muddy bottom only to be stopped short. The surface is perfectly still except for the occasional fly landing on its mirror-like face or a jumping trout taunting the would-be fisherman.

Aunt Maureen (far left), my mom, Uncle Jim, and Uncle John (at the boat) at the lake as children.

Uncle Jim with his sons Stephen (in front) and Danny (in his lap) fish off the dock.

The light blue, one story cabin sits 100 yards from the shores of the lake. The screened windows facing the water are open allowing the slight breeze to cool what's inside. The beds in all 3 rooms invite the weary for a long restful night's sleep. The walls are lined with pictures of smiling loved ones spanning several generations of Flanagan's. One of the pictures includes Steve, Dan, and Andy and their cousins frozen in the middle of a song sung from a raft afloat in the middle of the lake. Another shows Uncle Jim with his young bride Anne on an old wooden dock in a playful embrace. Still another photo captures Gramps and Grandma Mary laughing at a long forgotten joke. When the television is on, and that is not often, it plays only golf, tennis, baseball, Colts football, and IU basketball. The kitchen table by the window is piled with chips, cookies, homemade chex-mix, and other favorites.

Uncle Jim and Aunt Anne playfully embrace on the dock.

The Flanagan Family pose in front of the cabin during a summer family reunion.
Left to Right: Mom, Katie, Aunt Maureen, Laura, Dave, Steve, Me, Julie with Brianna in front, Uncle Jim, Danny, Kevin with wife Ann, Mike, Gramps, Uncle John, and Andy

Outside the cabin, two or three grills are lined up ready to feed the throngs of hungry friends and family. Nearby several picnic tables stand to provide a gathering place for a feast, a preparation station for s'mores, a podium for the next ghost story told 'round the campfire, or setting for the famous Flanagan Family Photo. Along the side of the cabin, fire wood is piled high and fishing poles rest against the siding, both ready for action. Two barns are positioned beyond the fire pit and tables. They store the equipment needed for any sport played or adventure one dared to embark upon. In addition, there is an old outhouse. Though the cabin has indoor plumbing, this structure and the frog toilet seat still stand more for nostalgia than for practicality.

The cousins in front of the cabin (when it was red) on the picnic table by the fire pit.
Back row: Laura, Katie, second cousins Daniel, Angela, and Michael Boswell
Front row: Julie, me, Dave, Danny, Steve, and Andy on his lap

Gramps is there. He is practicing his golf swing and chipping in the neighbor's yard. He hums to himself, "dah-dah-dah" with each swing.

Gramps Jack Flanagan in the fishin' boat with cousins Danny and Brianna Flanagan

Lining the gravel drive that joins with "The Rocky Road" that leads back to civilization, there are large trees offering shade to the cabin and surrounding areas. Strung between two trees is a clothesline and it's heavy with a rainbow of beach towels. Between the next two trees is a green rope hammock. This is where Uncle Jim is. He is reading a book; perhaps Merton or Thoreau. Sometimes the book rests opened on his chest as he dozes off for a catnap. Now and then he comes to and offers Gramps some unwanted advise on his golf game.

Uncle Jim in his favorite place.

On this day and every day, the sun is shinning. The rays are strong enough to warm his cheeks but not enough to make him sweat. There is a light breeze rustling the leaves above his head causing the shadows to dance on his page. The smells of last falls rotting leave, pine, and lake water are carried on the wind. It's the smell of childhood summers and freedom. The birds are singing from the nearby forest. Occasionally, he can hear the sounds of children laughing or singing.

The Flanagan cousins enjoying the sunshine.
Danny on Gramps' lap, me in front, Aunt Maureen holding Dave in back, Kevin sits in front of Mike, Julie looks up at Uncle Jim who is holding Katie, Laura crawls in front of the pic.

This is truly heaven. For here, the sun always shines. The grass never grows. The beds make themselves. The lake is stocked with the biggest bluegills this side of Lake Cumberland. And the firewood and beer never run out. He is surrounded by memories of his loved ones. He can see his boys playing baseball in the yard, hear the ghost stories by the crackling fire, and recall snipe hunts, scavenger hunts, and hunts for the Birdman's House. He is reminded of hikes with his wife through the woods, paddleboat rides with his sister, swimming contests with his brother, and long days floating, casting, and reeling with his dad. The tall tales of the monstrous fish caught or breath holding contests still live there.

Again, on a picnic table in front of the cabin for a family photo.

Uncle John, Mom, Uncle Jim and Aunt Maureen Flanagan.

Uncle Jim with sons Stephen and Danny and dog Misty on the dock where generations of Flanagans have learned to dive, swim, fish, sing, float, and laugh from the soul.

This is the place, too, where I will find my Uncle Jim. He will be with me in the breeze that rocks the hammock, the sun that warms my cheeks, or the place between awake and catnap. He will live in the tall tales, in the picnic table pictures, in the ghost stories and in the memories of The Lake. I will walk with him in the woods and float with him in the lake. If I played golf, I'm sure he'd have a pointer or two as well. He will be there and everywhere in my thoughts and in my heart.

I love you and will miss you Uncle Jim.

Prayer Request

I heard this morning that my Uncle Jim Flanagan (my mom's brother) is in the ICU with a pulmonary embolism. He is in critical care with one large blood clot in one of his lungs and several small clots throughout both. They have not offered us a prognosis yet but it all sounds very serious. Please keep him, his wife Anne, children Steve, Dan and Andy and the rest of his family and doctors in your prayers.