Thanks for Letting Me Call You Stinky
This is my Uncle Stinky. He doesn’t stink, though. He just smells like love and bear hugs and family.
When I was really little, we used to joke around a lot. He’d say, “you’re a brat!,” and I’d say, “well, you stink!”
And that’s how he became Uncle Stinky. I still remember when we ran into him at a crowded mall on a Saturday. I was young, and ran down the mall yelling, “Stinkkkkky!”
If it embarrassed him, he didn’t say so. He just gave me a hug and that same beaming smile he has in this picture.
Robert — that’s his actual name — has always been like a dad to me. He was there when my own father was not.
He did all the things dads do: Taught me how to play poker, helped teach me to drive, helped me apply to colleges, moved me to Oregon for college and then to Illinois and back for jobs.
He’s given me advice, made me laugh hysterically, and was there for me after my mom was in a terrible accident that left her in a coma right before my college graduation.
If not for him, I may not have finished my degree that year because I was so distraught. But he reminded me how important it was to my mom, and to him, to graduate. I was so close — only two months away.
And so I graduated. And he was there, because my mom was in rehab, recovering from her brain injury. Although I know he would have been there anyway.
I thank him for helping nudge and guide me, and encouraging me to finish school, even when I was having the most traumatic time of my life.
He walked me down the aisle at my wedding, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My awesome mother raised me on her own, but Robert has always a strong presence in my life.
Thanks for being there, and for letting me call you Stinky all these years. Happy Father’s Day.
I love you.
The Wild Rumpus 
Wow. What a sweet story. I love Uncle Stinky.
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Aw, thanks. He’s the best. 😃
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I had a similarly-loved Favorite Uncle. I didn’t have a nickname for him, but he called me ‘Little Toot’. No idea why, but I loved it (!)
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Nicknames are the best, especially when given by family.
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Oh Maisy, that is a beautiful tribute to Uncle Stinky. I am tearing up as I write this. The pictures you chose are just precious and perfect. My dream was to see you graduate from college. I remember keeping track of the time that day at St. Lukes Rehabilitation so I could watch you in my imagination. Not being there on the day you graduated was the hardest day of my recovery…ironically, also the happiest. You managed it while going through the toughest part of your life. I love Uncle Stinky for being there for you and me both. He is the greatest. You are the best and most loving daughter a Mom could ask for. I am so blessed. I am so proud of you. I love you.
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Thanks, mom. I love you more. xoxo
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