If you have not yet read my previous blog, "When It Rains It Pours", I invite you to take a few moments to start there before reading further.  Try to stay dry. 

By now, you have learned how I evacuated from Hurricane Helene to speak at a conference in Minneapolis, which I missed.  I was heartbroken that I was late for this exciting speaking opportunity.  Less than 18 hours after missing the engagement and after taking my first hot shower in many days, I repacked for the second leg of my journey.  I met my husband in Southwest Florida where we were picked up by my mom from separate airports.  Thanks for all the driving Mom!  

It was early in the morning on September 4th, when I received a group text from my Aunt Ruth that simply stated "Rick passed away this morning. I have no funeral details."  How does one respond to a text like that?  I immediately called my Mom who was not in the group.  She was as startled as we all were, and decided to make her way to the hospital.  Later I learned that Uncle Rick experienced some sort of a heart episode, and died in bed next to his wife.  My Uncle's sharp wit and larger than life personality was suddenly extinguished overnight.

Uncle Rick was Mom's big brother and best friend.  They were pretty inseparable.  She regularly attended basketball games or went out to dinner with him, and they were often together whenever I called her.  In addition to being my Uncle, Rick Anglickis was an important community leader and builder, who was active in the U.S. Jaycees.  He was also involved in many projects and activities across Lehigh Acres and Lee County.  I had no idea that the last time I would see him was when he treated my husband and I to an Everblades hockey game at the Hertz Arena for my birthday earlier this year. 

With the arrival of this news, I knew that I would be traveling to Florida to celebrate my Uncle's life in the near future.  However, at that moment, I had no idea how many other unexpected events would arise.  I certainly could not have predicted that within a 24 hour span, I'd be at four different airports in three separate states, escaping a hurricane, giving a speech, saying goodbye to my Uncle and then fleeing a brand new hurricane that was brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.  Wow, it is exhausting just writing about it, much less living it. 

When I arrived in Florida, I was numb.  I was exhausted.  I was not ready to be around so many members of my family, whom I had not seen in a long while, but I was greatly relieved to be reunited with my husband.  I looked forward to introducing him to the many family members he had not yet met.  

The next day, a Celebration of Life service for my Uncle was hosted in Lehigh Acres, FL at the New Life Assembly of God.  His other sister Ceclia traveled from California with her husband, sons and grandson to attend this event.  It was a somber reunion, and during our large family dinner at Perkins, I made them promise that the next time we would see each other would be a happy gathering and not at the next family funeral.

While Uncle Rick's Celebration of life service was sad, it was also a joyful reflection of a life well lived, and was well attended.  I sat in the front row with the rest of our family, and it wasn't until I stood up to exit the sanctuary that I saw the hundreds of faces who were there honoring him with us. 

Some of the family was planning to stay and visit a while longer, however we woke up the next morning, and discovered Hurricane Milton was becoming a serious threat and heading right for us.  My cousin Robyn (Rick's daughter) is married to a Firefighter/Paramedic in Leigh Acres, who strongly urged all of us to move up our return travel dates.  

Mom spent the rest of the day gathering necessary supplies in preparation to ride out Hurricane Milton.  I pleaded for her to hop on our return flight to Asheville and evacuate with us, but she stubbornly refused.  As we loaded our bags into her car, I reluctantly understood her desire to conserve gasoline, so after she dropped a California relative at one airport, she then made her way to the other airport eight hours before our scheduled departure time.  

Sitting for so long in Punta Gorda airport, we watched hundreds of people pass through the turnstiles, congregate at the appropriate gates and board their flights. My heart was racing and I wondered if others felt the anxiety and anxiousness that I did.  It felt palpable, as if fear was in the air.  I was probably experiencing PTSD leftover from the previous week’s evacuation.

I asked Facebook friends to hold our departure in prayer and our flight was delayed only once before we boarded.  When we touched down in Asheville, I started a seated ovation for the pilot who had helped us evacuate safely.  I could not have imagined on that early September morning all of the trials and tribulations that would arise before we could bid Uncle Rick farewell.  I'd like to dedicate this to my Uncle who is currently smiling down from above.

After returning to Asheville, I sent Uncle Rick this final card: 

Dear Uncle Rick,

Although Augi & I were sitting in the front row next to mom, I know you had the best seat in the house! I felt your presence during the celebration of your life.  I am so proud of Robyn as she gracefully and eloquently spoke about her father & hero.  I am also proud of aunt Ruth who confidently & sweetly shared about your years together.  I didn’t know how you found one another, it was special to hear this story & see some old photos.

I want to thank you for the beautiful blue ring you generously gave me and the cool eagle ring you gave to Augi.  It was a very cool idea that they invited folks to take home pieces of your T-shirt and hat collection. I now own a Lehigh Lightning & my first UCF cap! Augi took an FCGU cap & I encouraged him to take home your Farticus T-shirt. 

The sanctuary was quite filled with people who admired you. You will forever remain in my heart.  I will miss scratching your back!

Love you big guy,
Angela