Growing up, just like any other little girl in America, I loved to play with all my toys, clothes, and stuffed animals. Day in and day out that is all I used to do. I had no responsibilities, so all I would worry about was just playing. Growing up, My Uncle Smokey played a major role in my life and I will never forget him.
             Uncle Smokey, who's biological name is Joseph, was named after driving through an Indiana town called Koko Moe for a vacation with my grandparents. His name from then on was Smokey Joe from Koko Moe. My uncle Smokey had snow-white hair that was always messy and white, like when snow falls from the sky in no specific order. His right eye had a white dot on his pupil, and he saw triple out of it when he would look directly at you, like a person who had one too many to drink. His face was lovable, like a puppy's. His body was built like a teddy bear; if you were to squeeze him, you would feel warmth and love.
             When I was little, every time my uncle came to visit, he would bring me a bag of stuffed animals, or pretty dresses, the ones with little bows on them with matching hair ribbons. As I grew older he bought me watches, perfume, or just gave me money and always said, "Go and buy yourself something nice." He never spoiled me, although sometimes it seemed like he did. He was just a guy who loved his niece very much, and I loved him. That is just the way he was with me.
             Every time he saw me or talked to me on the phone, I knew the first thing he was going to say before he even said it:
             "Hi, I love you," he asked in a cheerful voice, "How are you today?"
             "Hi Uncle Mokey... I love you too."
             When we would part from each other I knew exactly what he was going to say too.
             I can still hear him say the words...
             "Bye, I love you, I love you, I love you, and I love you!"
             "Bye, Uncle Mokey. I love you too."
             ...