As a kid growing up in California, I really enjoyed visiting family in Toronto, Canada.
A favorite memory of Uncle Janssen (my mom's brother) is one time, maybe around age 10 or so, I had this intense craving for a pancake breakfast from McDonald's.
Uncle Janssen was kind to drive me. We arrived at the drive thru after 10:30 am, and they stopped making/selling breakfast items.
I would like to think I normally was a reasonable and well-behaved kid, admittedly, I recall turning into a hangry, monster gremlin and threw a tantrum in the backseat.
I started kicking the back of Uncle Janssen's seat and whined like a spoiled brat.
Despite me making a fuss about something so petty and insignificant, I recall Uncle Janssen stayed calm and didn't raise his voice or express any anger, frustration, or disappointment...even though I absolutely deserved admonishment, correction, and rebuke for my immaturity and absurd overreaction.
He could have rightfully scolded me or told me to be grateful for something else from McDonalds or to find pancakes elsewhere -- yet he was calm, patient, tolerant, and loving -- despite my childish meltdown.
As I got older (and matured a little), that experience left an indelible impression.
Whenever I visited Toronto, Uncle Janssen was always willing to drive me if ever I needed a ride anywhere (airport, restaurant, Mississauga, etc).
Recently (early November 2022), I visited Toronto , and while eating dinner with his mother (my grandma) and his two daughters (Sharon and Michelle), they were able to video chat.
I had never heard Uncle Janssen talk for such an extended amount of time, and was so happy to witness him beam with joy and pride in talking about his grandson, Lincoln.
His love for his three children and grandchild is undeniably strong.
I am grateful and thankful for him being a kind, gentle, wonderful, and loving uncle...and will miss him very much.
