Uncle Reggie

We lost an incredible part of our family this month - my Uncle Reggie. Our first meeting was straight out of The Hangover. He went with his new girlfriend (my aunt Jeri) to a party in a hotel thrown by my grandparents. He opened a closet door in the lively hospitality suite to put his coat away, and there on the floor was an infant sleeping in a baby carrier (hey, it was the 70’s). We liked each other immediately.

As a little kid, he was the tallest person I knew, so much so that he became a unit of measurement (“look Mom, those giraffes are as tall as Reggie!”). But his height was never intimidating, and in fact he was one of the warmest and most approachable people I ever knew. Reggie and Jeri’s house is our whole family’s home base, and everyone who’s ever set foot inside feels like they belong. Reggie knew how to welcome, how to entertain, and how to make you feel like the most important person in the world. He mixed the best cocktails and had the best laugh. He and Daniel were fast friends.

When Reggie wasn’t in the middle of a conversation, you could find him at the grill or in the kitchen making fab meals with my aunt. Not just for their own family and friends, but catering for others as well. It was always an honor to be “put to work” - Avery loved being his sous chef. You could also find him playing the guitar and singing with my cousins, my brother, my dad, Aidan, and anyone else who wanted to be part of the jam session. The videos I have of these moments are ones I’ll always treasure.

Reggie was an iconic Girl Dad and loved my aunt and my cousins Jessica and Meredith so much. He was a fantastic great uncle and came to see Aidan play basketball and football. His grandkids Anna Claire, Sutton, Dawson, and Emma loved their Big Reg for the few years he got to spend in their life. There is such a void without him but even though he’s gone, his presence was so big and familiar and comforting that it will always be felt. God really blessed our family with this one. Thanks for everything Uncle Reggie.

It was hard for all of us to be at the McCaslin house without Reggie there. But while the circumstances were very sad, he was a man worth celebrating and it's always wonderful to be with the Jolly family.

We flew Aidan from Arkansas - he had a layover in Dallas, and so did Papi! We didn't tell Aidan so it was a fun surprise to see his grandfather as his seat buddy!