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I always imagined Santa looked like Uncle Ray. When I was little, my uncle had a soft white beard and the jolly look of the man in red. I have such fond memories of sitting with Uncle Ray and laughing on my grandmother's couch. Uncle Ray was a character. He had lost a few fingers and an eye in a blasting cap incident as a child. This made the disappearing finger trick a real puzzler for a 5 year old! I just remember his presence as one of joy. When visiting my Aunt Violet and Uncle Ray at their home in Pennsylvania (I thought this was where vampires lived and so I was terrified to sleep) I have memories of playing with his giant husky named Yukon and jumping in the biggest pile of leaves.
As I grew older, visits with Uncle Ray were characterized by talks of theology and the Christian faith. What a blessing to have an older relative who was willing to move past the small talk to the things of real importance! If you know me at all, you know that I loved these talks. I remember Shane commenting that he thought Uncle Ray was a great man upon their first meeting.
As Uncle Ray and Aunt Vi grew older, health problems caused a move to live closer to their only daughter and one of my favorite aunts, Nancy. Aunt Vi was diagnosed with Alzheimers and I saw a picture of a devoted husband as I heard of his care for her throughout that awful disease.
I am sad that we didn't get to visit with Uncle Ray in his last years. Earth lost one of its great men on New Year's Eve, but Heaven gained a valuable citizen. It's a comfort to know that I'll see him again one day!
II Timothy 4: 7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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Wendy
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to my Dad. While he had a preacher for a brother and a preacher for a brother-in-law he also was a preacher/teacher his whole life. I don't know why I was surprised while cleaning out his office to see Bible verses and notes on living the Christian life taped up everywhere; there were morning prayers and evening prayers. He read four devotionals in the morning and three in the evening - I dont know how he had time to do everything he did. I also found your beautiful cards to him and I know he cherished them and also your notes about lessons from your Grandmother/my Aunt. We sure had some great teachers didn't we. I thank God everyday for sharing them with us.
Love you,
nn