Birthday of an Uncle

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Life is relatively short so one should grab opportunities as they become available. Hopefully later today I will gather with my uncle and his family to celebrate his 76th birthday. Now I say hopefully because I am jumping on a plane shortly and hope to make it there in time. His family moved to BC when they were still teens. I remember making the trek out there while my grandparents were still alive and then for many years afterwards to see my grandmother and other relatives. I have not been out since my grandmother’s funeral and so I decided to hop on a plane relatively last minute.

My uncle is my mom’s younger brother. He is married to a fun woman who loves to laugh. He is the father of four children and a healthy clan of grandchildren who he clearly holds dear. This photo is with his favourite daughter (hee hee, don’t mean to start a war) and loving wife. He has worked hard all of his life and took care of my grandmother in her final days. He has a good sense of humour and has always welcomed me into his home. In some ways, he has often been overshadowed by his younger brother but not so much in all ways. I think my dad, his brother-in-law, has fond memories of times when they worked together in their younger days. I would love to hear some of those stories some day. Dad does not really tell them and Mom does not seem to have many stories about her siblings.

So maybe today, as we celebrate this fine man’s life, I might hear a few of those stories. In the meantime, I pray that God will keep watch over him and grant him good health, fun family moments, loving memories, and joy unlimited.

Peace,

Suzanne