Uncle Michael & Uncle Douglas
I have always known that I was blessed with an extraordinary family. My father is a Blanchard, my mother is a Crichton, and both sides are full of the most wonderful, brilliant, and funny people anyone has ever been in a room with. I know that most people feel this way about their family, but in my case, it is the truth.
There are many rules to being a Crichton. You must be well-spoken and well-written. You must be appropriately dressed & properly behaved. You must be an athlete and an artist of some sort. The rules continue, and they are non-negotiable.
Growing up, I found these rules very difficult to abide by. My misspent youth as a punk rocker caused me to rebel against the Rules of Crichton. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized the most important rule of Clan Crichton: graciousness.
My Uncle Michael passed a few years ago, and my Uncle Douglas passed last week. When I meet people who knew them, everyone always speaks of their incredible kindness and willingness to help others. There are, of course, many other things people say of them too; their incredible humor, their exceptional height (both soared well over 6’4”), their amazing knack for storytelling. But the conversation inevitably turns to how lovely they were as human beings, their positive energy towards those around them, and their unflappable kindness.
My uncles taught me the values that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am grateful for our time together, and for their constant support while I figured out who I was and who I wanted to be. Their influence and guidance made me the person that I am today.
I graduate from college in less than two weeks. I wish that they could be here to see it, but I know that they are with me. I miss you both, and I love you so much. Thank you for everything, but most importantly, thank you for being you.
