December 26 1994 I had the pleasure and honour of meeting the patriarch of the Snider family. His welcoming handshake and authentic, good natured personality made me feel like I was one of his family members. As luck would have it, I became one of the family in 1996 and over the next 24 plus years that man made me feel like his own son each time we saw each other. Sadly, the world was robbed of this man and my heart is breaking not only for myself but for anyone that was blessed to know him. I can take solace in the fact that when we last saw each other at Leanne and Pauls house (his daughter and son Inlaw) for his wife Pats 80th birthday, we had a few laughs, had a shot (first and last one we ever shared as I dont drink) honouring how lucky we both are to be blessed with the families we have and the friendship he and I shared. Without knowing it, he gave me a gift that I will cherish forever. When my father was in palliative care back in 2001 there was a point where I knew there will be very few opportunities to have have a heart to heart conversation and a loving embrace. One such time came up where my Dad and I had a great conversation and at the end he had stood up to go to the bathroom. I also stood up to help him and at that moment thought of reaching to give him a random hug but stopped, thinking it might be a little Ill timed. So, I thought I would wait for another opportunity. Sadly, I never got one. It was, and is a painful regret. The party was the last time I saw Ken and at the end of our great and last conversation was the moment he decided he was tired and wanted to head home. I helped him to his feet and at that moment he and I looked at each other and both knew this might be our last bye for now hug. In that moment there was an overwhelming feeling that reminded me of my own father and I wont make the same mistake again. Not only did we squeeze the stuffing out of each other for what seemed like forever but ended way to soon, and exchanged an I love you man, his gift to me was not only a mutually teary Im gonna miss you bud, but we walked away without any regrets and he gave me that fatherly embrace that I missed 18 years ago when I lost my own Dad. Tomorrow he will be laid to rest, but today at his visitation while Kelly, Jaiden, Julia and I pay our respects, I will silently thank him for being who he was and the gift I didnt know I needed. Rest In Peace Uncle Ken, or should I say, rest in happiness.... The girls will be thrilled to see their Papa again. Till we meet again Bye For Now P.S. Many of you may not know. If you find a random dime on the ground someone who you have lost is thinking of you at that moment and wanted you to know. During an appointment with my Chiropractor, I was telling him about how we got the news only an hour before my appointment that we just lost a close and dear friend and family member. As I was being treated and telling him about Ken we heard something fall to the ground, my Chiropractor said hey, a dime just fell out of your pocket.