My Uncle Bob.

90% of life and relationships is showing up. I didn't ask and haven't talked much about the funeral since I got back at all to my family, but I would be willing to bet...people showed up for my Uncle Bob on the day his life was honored.


They showed up...cause he showed up for everyone in that area and beyond. He showed up for no other reason than that to him was what you do for people, that is how you live, that is what matters. I know he showed up in my life, his selfless attitude and giving humble nature were to be admired and I will cherish the memories that he gave me in my life.

I heard there was no open mic at the funeral...that pisses me off (further I heard that it was his wish not to have one, OF COURSE! that was his humbleness and nature! He deserved that hot mic and people sharing memories),had I been there I can promise you the Mic would have been in my hand and I would have spoken about a man I loved and who loved me and with Grandma,Grandpa, Marlin, Maynard, and the rest of the Burchills hanging on a cloud and listening I would have told whoever was there and upstairs, what I loved about my Uncle. Bob and what I love about being a Burchill, and how he embodied everything that matters in life and what makes our name great. How realness and authentic, humble people like him...are rare and to be treasured.

He had a way about him that made you feel more important than you were in life when you talked to him. His smile, shit eatin grin, voice, laugh, honest nature,strong handshake,forearms bigger than my arms, not an enemy in the world demeanor mattered. He always asked me about my life when I saw him...always. When he would talk to me and smile and encourage me with his non verbal way...it built me, it formed foundations.

I don't know a person that matters in life who could say a bad thing about the man. The Uncle I knew was honest to a fault, hard working, mans man, that was there for his family and friends in Valley City and beyond.

I have so many fond memories of Uncle. Bob, I loved hanging out with him and the rest of my Dads brothers growing up. It made me feel good, it gave me confidence, it taught me a sense of family and what that feels like. Brothers are special, and they share a special bond...I loved being a part of it...Sollie and Evelyns grandson, Uncle Marlin,Bob, and Duanes nephew, son of Lyle Burchill and part of the Burchills from Valley City ND. No matter where I go whenever anyone asks me where I am from I tell them I am from North Dakota. Love the state and the people, and our family, thats where you find the Uncle Bobs in life.

Its where I grew up, its where I heard Uncle Bob drop the F bomb when we were hauling cattle to Uncle Duanes and the trailer started sliding down the hill on their road cause we had just had a blizzard and it was wintertime, and the gravel was glare ice, oh and Dad was behind us. In life, I dont trust anyone unless I hear them drop the f bomb once in awhile, so Dad you know I trust you :-). Hell up until that moment I thought he was perfect. Its where I could hear Dad and Uncle Bob working on equipment, yelling at me, and each other for God Knows what, and teaching me to drive combine,truck, and tractor, and then ride horses at Uncle Duanes (I miss Sassy Boy). Its where I drove a grain truck to section 9 and saw a combine way off course going across swaths...and sped the chevrolet truck up fast enough to get ahead of the combine to jump on...and find my Uncle Bob sleeping at the wheel. YES that is true ask Dad I told him as soon as I got back to the yard that day.

In the cab of that same combine is where I heard my Uncle say to me when I told him I was hungry that, " When I get hungry I take a drink of water." Then he handed me the thermos. I NEVER forgot that, or the Allis Chalmers combines that I learned to drive when I didnt even have a license.

Just like I will never forget buying him probably the only two beers he had in his life ( Coors Light) on a 100 degree + day when Dad, and I, and Uncle Bob cleaned out Grandpas garage. That was a fourth of July break...and I remember my friends, and girlfriend, going to the lake and wanting me to go...but I am SO glad I didn't we had a great day together, me, my Dad and my Uncle Bob. Funny the days in life that one remembers sometimes. Even before his passing that day sticks in my mind as one of the top 5 in my life.

I could write forever, but I will close with this. This past summer when we all met at the cabin, was special. It meant something, we as Burchills mean something to the worlds we encounter and live in, and we should matter to each other. Memories, and family, is all we have in life, with the exception of God who gives both, and all.



When I was returning home, I ran into Uncle Bob, and Rob, and Pam at a gas station in Bismarck...Even though I am grown Uncle Bob told me to be sure to be careful, and to come back home more often...I hugged him and told him I loved him and would be fine...never thought that would be the last time I saw him. Side note on that, I loved to watch my Uncle with my sisters and my niece and nephew, and my Mom. He hugged them harder and I loved that, he was a mans man and that was his way, and in some ways the Burchill way.One thing is for sure he loved kids...and kids loved him.

I fkn hate cancer, and I hate that it took a good man way to soon, that I will miss. I hate that now that he's gone he knows now how I truly felt about him and the impact he had on my life. I hate that I never got to tell him in person. No matter what philosophers, Christians, atheists,the scholars of this life, or anyone says...Cancer has no explanation, has no point, has no purpose, and I have a question for God when I join my Uncle.

So Uncle Bob, tell Grandma I am sorry for some of the language ( I can hear her saying " Seth you be nice", and laugh with Grandpa for me about it,. I love you and am thankful that you were a significant part of this mans life, I will see you in time. Save me a swig of water from that thermos, and I will bring the beer.



P.S.



I saw his smile and grin and the way he looked at me like I was full of shit and side cocked his head, laughing the whole time and saying " Seth...SETH come on now.."

Today I Watched Surfers.

We all have heard the phrase "Waves of life." Today I viewed with my eyes personally not through any filters what that means.

I watched surfers today off the coast of Lima,Peru. From the start I noticed many parallels to this sport and life. Instantly I aligned with why this sect of the population is so passionate about this taming of an untameable force.

When they swim out from shore they are forced to drive through, or roll over, or duck and dive incoming waves to get to the breakers that will provide the best ride.Some, like they roll over, do not stop their progress, others force them to duck an dive under water and be driven back for a time, then they paddle on.
All this to reach a destination that they see, gives them the best opportunity to be succesful on a ride back towards shore to turn around and do it again.

Some are succesful when they time their mount and ride for two breakers or so, others get up and fall down after the wave has slowed, while still others get wiped out immediately.

The longer I watched the more I came to the realization that I wasn't just watching surfers, I was watching the navigational course of life. Trial and error, the ability to catch another wave, live to fight another time. The perspective to see that the waves...never stop coming, and they dont ask questions just provide a powerful challenge.

On the waters and through the waves...I saw this...

Choices,decisions,good relationships,poisonous ones,triumphs,great victories and failures.Beauty,ugliness, deception,unexpected findings,courage to move on and forward, or decide to quit. Long rides,short rides,rough waters, and calm seas,ability to choose,and chance to be fooled.security,trust,and chance,trials,possibility to be destroyed quickly,or after time. Accomplishment, and failure, fortitude, and helplessness,courage,and meekness,winners,losers,and quitters.

Yes today I watched surfers, and my life, in the form of waves and the human spirit, fighting and challenging the great waters.