My childhood is filled with memories of family reunions. My Mom’s side of the family is HUGE, I’m not exaggerating either. Mom is 1 of 12 and her parents both were 1 of 12 as well. As a kid I was around my cousins so much they felt just like siblings instead of cousins, even my second and third cousins feel that close. Mom always was so close to her family that I just don’t have many memories that don’t include them somehow. My uncles and aunts are really terrific people. Great in their own special ways. When I think of my Uncle R it makes me think of my Mom. They were close in age – in line it was her and then him – they were smack in the middle of the pack # 6 & 7 of 12. He and Mom looked so much alike I think, they both had the greatest dimple in the same place on the cheek. Hers went away when she lost a bunch of weight but they still resembled. I was a pretty little kid when he moved away but I very vividly remember how close these two were. He moved away, I think one of the first to move far off (Georgia from Texas) and really did well for himself. He worked hard and became a top Manager of a large plant in his hometown.
He is one of those people that when you’ve spent any time with him you just know – what a good soul. He is just a solid man. When Mom got sick he came to visit her for a nice long visit and I remember her saying how much she enjoyed his time there. I’m sure they had some great conversations and some good laughs. I think maybe another way to describe him is a gentle soul. He has such a calm and serene demeanor it just automatically puts you at ease. He speaks slow and with purpose. I admire him in so many ways because he and his family looks like the photo on the coffee table book and the thing is, they are all even better inside. He and Aunt C have always been some of the kindest people you’d ever want to be around.
I have not spoken to him on the phone much but I was looking at my last texts to him. It was about his younger brother Jack who passed way several years ago, while he was sick I was getting updates from my cousins and passing along to Uncle. He was so sweet in his replies of how grateful to be getting updates on his precious brother. Makes this especially hard now.
Job 29:7-20 “When I walked downtown and sat with my friends in the public square, Young and old greeted me with respect; I was honored by everyone in town. When I spoke, everyone listened; they hung on my every word. People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me. I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck. The dying blessed me, and the bereaved were cheered by my visits. All my dealings with people were good. I was known for being fair to everyone I met. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, Father to the needy, and champion of abused aliens. I grabbed street thieves by the scruff of the neck and made them give back what they’d stolen. I thought, ‘I’ll die peacefully in my own bed, grateful for a long and full life, A life deep-rooted and well-watered, a life limber and dew-fresh, My soul soaked through with glory and my body robust until the day I die.’
This Uncle is the last of Mom’s seven brothers. He has been battling cancer now for roughly a year and while I was thinking he was doing better, or at least hoping I found out today he has been put on hospice, reports are that it’s in his bones. Hearing this makes me think of him and all my Uncles and Aunts and just what a special place they all have in my heart. What a legacy my Grandparents left in these people because all of them are cherished. I just want to honor Uncle today, pray for the ahead fight and ask God for peace, no pain and good days, honor him as the phenomenal man he is, valued and respected, a good man. Of course I’d love my prayers for this to pass him be answered. I know God is the great healer. I’ve been asking for a while now for God to heal him whole.
Won’t you stand in agreement with me. Many thanks
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please lift up my Uncle for all he needs right now. Give him peace and pain free days. I humbly ask for healing for him. I ask all things in Jesus Name - AMEN
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