Uncle Longbeard Isn’t Me

The name Uncle Longbeard was given to me.

But I’m not the original.

And I sure as hell won’t be the last.

Every family has one.
Every friend group has one.
Every job site, garage, fire hall, neighborhood, and group chat has one.

And it’s not always the same person.

That’s the point.

Uncle Longbeard is whoever you need in that moment.

Maybe they’re loud.
Maybe they’re quiet.
Maybe they bust your balls so hard you forget, even for a minute, how bad the day was.

But they’re there.

Unapologetically present.

They might be the loud bastard who somehow becomes the only ray of sunshine on a day that should have stayed miserable.

They might be the last vote of confidence before you take the trip, make the call, start over, quit the thing, chase the thing, or finally say what needs said.

They might be the one sitting next to you laughing when there’s absolutely nothing funny left.

That’s Uncle Longbeard.

It’s the person you think of calling when life sucker punches you.

And if they don’t answer?

Call again.

Text them.

Send the stupid meme.

Say the awkward thing.

Because once they answer, they’re there.

We just really like sleep.

And if you can’t think of anyone who fits that description right now, don’t write the world off just yet.

Sometimes a Longbeard shows up from the last place you expected.

Sometimes it’s someone who was there the whole time.

And sometimes, without realizing it, it’s you.

Stay Here. Keep Going.