Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello | RIP Uncle Dave | Delaware Professional Photographer | Wedding Photographers NJ

The band semi-sonic has a song by the name of Closing Time that has a lyric in it that I think is absolutely perfect for this post.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.”

David Gasper was more than just an uncle. He was a son. A brother. A father. And a friend. David was a master chef, master gamer, master guitarist and a master human being. With a smile that was as infectious as an airborne disease and a laugh you could hear across the room, David was always the life and light of the party. He and I were very close when I was growing up. He drove me to the hospital when my sister was born. Taught me all the secret codes in super mario brothers, taught me how to cook eggs, illegally ran toll booths with me…he was such a fun time. The love he had for this family and the rebellious nature he possessed are both attributes I think we share. Marching to the beat of his own drum and marching through life with a constant cryptic smile on his face is how I will remember him.

Before David’s death, my family was not as “close” as we all should have been over the years. You know, every family has their silly drama…well my family for surely takes the cake when it comes to silliness. The eerie words of David ring in my ears, “Its going to take a true tragedy to bring this family together.” No one thought by tragedy, he was talking about his own fate. At 43 years old he left this world far too soon and left behind a family that will miss him for the rest of this lifetime.

But David, and I can totally see him with his cryptic smile up above now, was right. His passing resulted in the largest family reunion in over a decade. Grudges falling by the wayside. Drama no longer relevant or necessary. David, I feel, planned this. His death was not without cause. His dying wish was for us all to excuse me here ” GET THE HELL OVER OURSELVES” and reunite as one loving family.

We all needed each other. Leaned on each other. Cousins huddled in corners and recalled childhood inside jokes. The grandchildren played with each other in the halls. We all ate together as a family as Uncle Daves pictures of his life were surrounding us. David was our family angel. He saved us in every way he could. He brought us all together again and I know he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lucky for my my camera was in tow and I got to grab some great candid moments in my family. Moments none of us ever thought we would see. Moments that have gone missed for far too long. As we left the funeral, promises were made to stay in touch. To really live up to David’s wish. To forgive. Forget. To move on. Its a tragedy that it TOOK a tragedy for it to happen…but as they say—hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20.

Lessons learned and new memories of this reunion will be with us always…as will you Uncle Dave. We all love you more than you can imagine. The fund for his 16 year old son Skyler is still going strong. We will all do our part to check in on him, see him, and love him the way you never got the chance to. For a life time!

I love you family….here is to a new beginning at some other beginnings end!