Two years ago today, I lost a piece of my soul.

That day didn’t just change me—it rearranged me.

Because on that day, I lost you, Robert.

To most people, you were “just an uncle.”

But to me? You were a damn character.

Part-time comedian, full-time shit-talker, and somehow still the biggest softie in the room.

You were love, laughter, chaos, wisdom, and “get outta my face” all rolled into one.

You’d tell me to fix my face and then piss me off on purpose.

You’d get me crying, then hit me with a joke so stupid, I’d be mad I was laughing.

You were that kind of uncle.

Looking back now, I don’t think I cried enough.

Maybe if I had, someone above would’ve said:

“Damn, maybe we pulled the wrong one. Run Robert back.”

I know you weren’t perfect.

Let’s be real—you were a trip and a half.

But your heart? It was pure.

You’d give the shirt off your back… even if it was half-stolen or had holes in it.

You gave your energy to people, even when you didn’t have much to give.

And me?

I would’ve traded my last year alive for just two more minutes with you.

Because in that first minute, you’d have me on a rollercoaster:

Laughing till I cried, crying till I cussed, cussing till I laughed again.

You’d probably say something wild like:

“Okay okay okay look Nicey, look… listen, listen listen…”

😂 And you wouldn’t say ANYTHING!! I’d still be pissed… but silently laughing.

Like your spirit wasn’t clearly showing up just to mess with me.

But that second minute?

That’s when you’d hit me with the line that always stuck:

“Come on, Nicey… THIS IS FAMILY. We can’t go out like dat derr.”

And just like that, I’d go from mad to melting in two seconds flat.

I miss you every single day, Robert.

Even when I laugh, there’s a pause in it now—

Because the one person who would’ve laughed louder than me…

ain’t here no more.

And I need to say what I didn’t say enough:

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry I stayed mad longer than I should’ve.

I’m sorry we lost time.

I’m sorry for the silence.

I’m sorry I didn’t say, out loud and often, how much you meant to me.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’M SORRY!!!!

You deserved more love while you were here.

And if no one else will say it—I will.

I believe when your time came—whether it was the Crossroads, the gates, or just a streetlight at the end of the block—

God didn’t send an angel.

He came Himself.

Because Robert? You were too complicated for a regular escort.

You needed someone who understood exactly how much of a trip you were…

and how much heart you carried anyway.

That belief—that you’re okay, that you’re at peace,

that you’re probably up there checking out the women with Papaw (don’t worry, I’ll be sure to TELL my Auntie 😆)…

that’s what helps me breathe down here in this wild-ass version of Earth.

I find peace knowing

you, Papaw, Boogie Woogie, Papas, and the rest

are up there watching me, probably shaking your heads at my choices

(ANYWAYS! with my eyes rollin’ 🙄)…

and waiting for me to show up

so y’all can gang up on me again.

And when I do?

I CAN’T WAIT TO GET ON Y’ALL’S NERVES AGAIN 🤣

This time… it’ll be forever. 😊

With every ounce of love,

Nicey