Reconnections

When I was a kid, I idolized my uncle. He was the coolest. I don't know how he was the coolest, and I don't remember when he became the coolest, but there he was, larger than life in my book. I didn't see him often; once, while he was away at college, mom took me to see him in a play. He was Snoopy, and although, I honestly don't know if I remember the actual play at this point, I do remember how thrilled I was to be there. (I think it also explains a certain fascination of Charlie Brown comics!)

I didn't see him much during the rest of my growing up years. It took a while for me to realize why, but I never stopped idolizing him. In short, I learned of people's sad tendency to disregard those, even family members, who don't fit their status quo. (This particular status quo was of a southern, religious, narrow-minded sort--but that is a topic for another time) I also learned that sometimes people have to leave a place to be able to find peace and happiness.

A cool thing happened in the midst of our relocation to NY; I reconnected with this incredible soul of an uncle and made a dent in all those missed years.  On second thought, there really is no replacing those missed years, but this re-connection has been a treasured experience for me.Yep, he is still cool in my book, and I'm certainly glad to know that I was a pretty good judge of character as a kid! Better yet, he's not only cool, but wise, compassionate, intelligent, and wickedly witty. He is a great force of positive energy in my life, and I'm so grateful to have the chance to know him once again.