Friday, November 23, 2007

Aunts and Uncles.

I hope you have/had great uncles growing up. I did.
My dad's brother was Uncle Rusty. Rusty was kind, compassionate, gentle, a conservationist and oh how he loved his niece and nephews greatly. We always had shirts from Alculpoco and other exotic places from his travels and I always felt so special wearing them. Rusty left this world way too early, I would have loved to have known him longer and to have known him deeper.
My mom's brother was Uncle Joe. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him because he lived in Guatemala on and off while I was growing up. He had struggles in this life, but there was quite a soul inside of that man...you can tell it just from his pictures. You can tell it from the things he left behind. I remember when we would visit my grandma's house i would sneak into his room where he stayed when he was in the states and look at all of the interestingness that he had--masks and rocks and cool glass bottles--we even found a real, live eye ball in a medicine bottle one time(long story)! Anyway, I feel like I get to know him even though he isn't here because those who knew him best say that my Bub has so many of his characteristics and mannerisms. I asked him how he would describe Uncle Joe since my memories are fuzzy and he didn't hesitate as he said, "An adventurer. Counter culture. Someone who acted on what he believed." Again, I wish there would have been more time to know him, to understand him, to see his heart.
My Uncle Mike wasn't "really" an Uncle--and yet he very much was. Talk about adventurous! He was mystery and rugged and loved us to pieces.
I only had one Aunt, my Aunt Susan. Thankfully she has been around for me to get to know as I have grown and I have loved getting to know her as an adult. She is such a hard worker, loves her family, and is already such a loving great aunt to Sam and Amelia.

My point in sharing all of this with you is that I have been watching the babes with their Aunts and Uncles and love thinking about what an impact each will make on their lives--so uniquely. I am so excited for these little ones to have such a creative, loving group of our brothers and sisters to love them, teach them, help them grow and help them feel loved.








All for now, Jen

3 comments:

Court said...

And for those of us who are the Aunts and Uncles....we love to love them, teach them, help them grow and help them feel loved :) It's a joy and a blessing!

Robin said...

We miss you guys so much already!
:(

Shanyn Zink said...

Oh!! Finally!! I saw the Aunts and Uncles PHOTOS!! I had read it before, but somehow missd the photos...don't ask. Anyway, I LOVED seeing all their doting Aunts and Uncles. It's sooo fun and wonderful to know they'll have a GREAT handful of GREAT Aunts and Uncles. :)
I miss them.
Shanyn