Ode to an Uncle

I wrote this blog entry a long time ago but did not have a chance to reread it and publish before I hit some emotional term oil in my life. I have since looked it over and decided it was a good entry for fathers day! So, here it is. Happy reading!

April 4th, 2010
Once R and I were asked to give a talk at a youth fireside about fathers. This was a very hard topic for me. I felt I needed to direct it towards relationship you can build with your fathers while you are a youth. Being a "so called" adult at this point in my life my relationship with my father was what it was. There was no going back to change things. R was speaking first and I knew what he was gong to say. A lot of great stuff about growing up with a valiant priesthood leader in whom he completely trusted above all else in the world. That was going to be a hard act to follow. As I prayed for what to say I was able to remember some of the good times I had with my Dad. Though few, I did have some and they were placed more fervently in my mind. But the Lord wanted to show me something else. He wanted me to see that I was not forgotten about. I remember the words he said to me..." I have placed people in your life to make up for other things."
During my talk I spoke to those kids, a lot of who were going through situations of family drama and divorce. Something my life, at their age, had seen its share of. I told them,"He has not forgotten you. He sends people into your life to make up for the things lost somewhere else."
I shared a few stories about an Uncle who is and always will be dear to my heart. I don't know if he will ever really grasp how much he actually did for me but I still try to tell him when I can.
We lost touch for a while lately because they moved away but thanks to modern technology and the Internet (Thanks, Mr. Gore!) we have been reconnecting a little. I have been reading my cute cousin Megan's blog, lately. I'm older then her. In fact I used to babysit her. So the idea that she is all grown up with kids took me a little while to get use to. A few weeks ago I came across this picture on her blog and cried!


This is my Uncle Gary and my Aunt Gloria! (Well, it's supposed to be but I can't figure out how to make it smaller so you can see my beautiful Aunt, Sorry) I love them so much and did not realize how much I missed them until I saw them in this picture. They mean the world to me. Now, I am not sure if this was a costume party or not. However, it would not surprise me if Uncle Gary was sporting this pirate shirt all on his own free will.(This might be the same shirt that Jerry Seinfeld wore on the tonight show episode. I think a " Hey Uncle Gary, Jerry called and wants his shirt back" is in order here.)
Let me tell you why this would not surprise me...
Because my family situation being what it was, I was with them a lot more then a niece is usually with her uncle and aunt. Sometimes staying the whole summer. They took care of me. They loved me. I trusted them completely! Heavenly Father had put them into my life to make up for a lack of something somewhere else. Gloria would spend hours on my hair. I always wanted it in 50 tiny braids for girls camp and she willing ablidged me every year. She would talk to me and ask questions. She always wanted to know how I was feeling about life. She was so interested in me. She was my Rock! My firm place to stand when I could not find my own firm ground.
Now, Uncle Gary, he was my sky. When I felt too grounded and shut up all I needed to do was spend time with him. He always made me feel like I could do anything or be anyone I wanted to, and he was willing to help me go there. He always would put away the grown up things to do the things we really wanted to. I can't even begin to tell you all the things he taught me. I am sure my creativity stems from him. He taught me how to make wreaths out of grapevine, dry flowers, tile a mosaic, fence, make a sword out of a coat hanger and duct tape (this skill comes in very handy, really, I am not kidding. I just made 5 the other day)...the list goes on and on.
They introduced me to musical theatre which became a huge part of who I am and that helped me to feel special as I developed talents and overcame my own insecurities.
It has become apparent to me that my dear Aunt and Uncle are still teaching me with out even knowing it. I can see, through Megan's blog, that if you help give your children a firm place to stand while still helping them reach for the sky, you will end up with very bright, well rounded, creative children. Oh, I want that for my own children so badly. So, I will try a little harder to be more like my sweet Uncle and Aunt! I love you both, more then you will ever know!!!!!!!