Now, this is my very first blog and very first blog post ever. I guess I just never felt like I had anything worth saying or had any experiences that others would really care to read about. As I was thinking about how I have started setting this site up....since August...I thought to myself: The first thing I post needs to mean something to me. Thank you, Uncle Al, for giving me something to tell everyone that is worth saying and reading.
For those who don't know, Uncle Al passed away just before Adam and I were married. I LOVED going to visit my Uncle Al and Aunt Amy in Colorado when I was growing up. I regret to say that I have not been to visit in several years and wish I had gone back just once to see him one more time and get one more life lesson lecture from him. I wanted to take the time to pay tribute to one of the greatest men I knew and pass along some of the things he taught me. So consider this a lesson from Uncle Al.
Every time I went to visit Uncle Al would say; "Danielle, let me share something with you about life..." He would do this at least twice a day my entire visit. He taught me a lot of things, but there are a couple that kept coming up, over and over again. Uncle Al would say that NO MATTER WHAT, you can count on family. Family is the one thing that when everything and everyone else in life fails you or abandons you, family will be there to help you up and dust you off. He taught me that of all the things that Scripture says you should do, Love was the center and most important. He sacrificed for his family, immediate and extended and taught us how to love unconditionally. He never complained (in front of me, at least) about work. He was one of the hardest working men I have known.
Uncle Al, I want to thank you for being the man that you were. Thank you for your military service, your service to your family and to those around you. You aided in holding our family together when we experienced loss of loved ones and your strength in those times taught me how to keep my head up and know you are watching over all of us now that you are gone. Thank you for loving me so much that you gave me lectures on how to live a good and loving life and how to work hard for the things you have. Thank you for teaching us to stand up for ourselves and to know we are valued, no matter what anyone else says. You were and continue to be a blessing to me. I think of you often and rely on the wisdom you have taught me over the years. Most of all, thank you for showing all of us that it is ALWAYS better to be ourselves than to be anyone else. I hope you know you are loved and missed. Happy birthday to a great man.
I am sincerely touched. My words cannot express my utmost gratitude for heartwarming (and tear jerking) description of a man so missed, and loved. There were many life lessons that we were taught, but that was ALWAYS #1. Thank you Dani, it means so much to share that with the world.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Dani,
ReplyDeleteIt seems that some days the depth of my sorrow has no bounds. Today is one of those days. I have been dreading Al's birthday for a while now. I thought I could get through it more easily than our anniversary but no such luck. Today I have hardly been able to put one foot in front of the other. I am a mere shadow of the woman I thought I was--strong, confident, capable. I was sitting on the front porch (where I believe some of those "life lesson" lectures occurred)sobbing and unable to contemplate life without my soul mate. Something made me stop and check my phone for messages etc. There was a notification from FaceBook regarding your post on my wall. I rushed into the computer to read your blog. I began crying, again, as I read. But this time, tears of gratefulness, appreciation. What a marvelous tribute to Al. I know he is honored and humbled by your words. I know I will still be sad tomorrow but your blog post has eased some of the pain. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you! Aunt A.
It's amazing the footprint he has left on all of our lives isn't it? Here is a man who thought he was nothing very special other than a father and husband who was trying to provide for his family. His words of wisdom which he shared for us have become rare and treasured gifts, but for him they were his way of helping us not make the same mistakes he had made and make sure we were all aware of the beautiful gift we had in one another. However, as I read your blog tonight I'm so taken back. Our ENTIRE family knows what was most special to him, and what continues to be most special to all of us, because of him. It's so amazing that we all know "family first" because of him and continue to make it a priority in our lives. He continues to live on in our lives because of this. Thanks for sharing! Erin
ReplyDelete