My uncle Carl translated this week. So it is not surprised that I have been thinking of him and his wife, my Aunt Vida, and my cousins.

When I was young, our family would drive to Alamosa, Colorado where both my mother’s parents (my grandparents) and her brother (Uncle Carl) lived. Since we slept at my Grandparent’s house, most of my memories of those visits centered around them. Still I did spend time with my cousins Carla and Alan and later the younger one, Barbara.

Sand Dunes of Alamosa, Colorado

But frankly, I mostly recall being afraid of my uncle – not that he was mean, but I thought of him as strict… Mostly because I was a very shy child and was probably hard to get through to.

Fast forward a few years to when I was 23 and bicycling from Colorado to Seattle, Washington. Uncle Carl and family had moved to Forest Grove, Oregon, which is a town outside of Portland. It seemed reasonable to me to stop by and visit them on my way north to Seattle. So I sent a letter saying I might be there in a couple of weeks. But, due to catching an unexpected ride through the badlands of Utah and the deserts of Nevada, I arrived in Forest Grove several days early.

Still, I was welcomed by Uncle Carl and Aunt Vida and felt welcome. Is there a better gift than open hearts and an open home? There was pleasant food and pleasant conversations, but I did not stay more than a couple of days or so – having made enough for a train ticket to Seattle by working the daytimes in nearby strawberry fields.

About 37 years would pass before I saw my uncle Carl again. Although through the intervening years, we exchanged the annual Christmas cards. I guess it was just two more times between 2013 and today. And both times, I got to enjoy my uncle as I imagine most people have over the course of his life here.

I enjoyed a witty, friendly, kind, funny man. Heart and humor, the ability to share and listen – these are qualities to strive for and here they were.

At our last physical encounter – during a party for my nephew Michael, my wife had the chance to have a long conversation with Uncle Carl. She, too, got to experience of being welcomed in the heart.

Where is he now? For those who believe in a life after this one, I suspect his physical life helped him to hone his skills for the adventures of the unknown country – where he is now. I am certain that his teaching ways, his sharing ways and his humor helped many in this lifetime to do better in this world and in the next.

And though my specific time with him was limited – I am better for that time shared for my remaining moments here and for the worlds yet to come.

Thank you, Uncle Carl.