Tatyana Eplin
My husband, Gary Eplin, is Rick’s nephew. Although I officially married into the family just a year ago, Gary and I have been together for eight years, and from the very beginning, Rick always made me feel like family.
Over the years, he would ask me how college was going. When I became a teacher, he would ask about my students and how the school year was. Most recently now that I’m pregnant, he would always greet me with, “How are you doing, Mama?” It was such a simple question, but it always made me feel loved.
Something about the Eplin family is that saying goodbyes at family gathering's is never quick. Rick and I seemed to share the same mindset about that. When he and Toni would start saying their goodbyes, I knew that was my cue to tell my husband I was getting ready to go too. But “getting ready to go” didn’t mean we were actually leaving. It usually meant another 15, 20, or even 30 minutes because there were hugs to give, stories to tell, and laughter shared while everyone stood around together.
I can remember so many times walking out the door with Rick, joking about how long it took us to leave. But now, I have a different perspective.
I’ve learned that the long goodbyes are okay. Hugging everyone is okay. Standing around for twenty more minutes because someone starts telling a story and everyone is laughing together is okay. In fact, it’s more than okay, it’s precious. Because you never know when it will be the last time.
And for that new perspective and growth mindset, I am grateful to Uncle Rick.
