When the World Changes

June 2010

This week a bit of my world changed, as the dear man on the far left of the photo, my Uncle Al, went home to be with the Father. As an adult I now realize our relationship was a bit unusual, but growing up, I never thought it to be anything less than perfect.

Al is my mom's elder brother by twenty years, so by the time mom came along, Al was already married with a baby. So, this meant that growing up, "Uncle" Jerry, "Aunt" Deana, "Uncle" Scott, were really my cousins, and their children (technically second cousins) were all my playmates. By the time I was nine years old both of mom's parents had already passed away, and while I of course missed getting to know them, I never once felt the absence of grandparents in my life.

As long as I can remember, Uncle Al and his wife Jackie just counted my brother and I as one of the brood. We got the same gifts as the other grandkids at Christmas, they came to our school performances or games when they could, I even remember them coming to a "Grandparent's Day" or two at my elementary school.  For years our family had a cabin (read:trailer on the "classy" side of the river) in a small valley in the Ouachita mountains of Arkansas, and it was Al who introduced each new generation and family member to the ins and outs of the Bear Cave, the Swimming Hole, and the intricacies of crawdaddin' around Garfield rock.  To me, he was Albert Pike; wonderfully fun and simply unforgettable.

Looking back, the way Al cared for me and our entire family was so typical of who he was as a person. Generous, loving, and always laughing . . . I don't know that there was a single person in their small East Texas town who didn't know and respect my Uncle Al.

While moments like this can't help but remind me of the perpetually and inevitably changing world, I will remember Al as so much more than just a figure in my life, or his passing as a marker in my adulthood. Al wasn't just a man who sat idly by as the world changed around him, but was a man who in his own subtle ways, changed the world. I am so grateful for the legacy of his life, and am blessed to count myself as part of his heritage.

 ¹ Hear my cry, O God;

   listen to my prayer.

 ² From the ends of the earth I call to you,
   I call as my heart grows faint;
   lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For you have been my refuge,
   a strong tower against the foe.

 ⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever
   and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.^[b]
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
   you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 

Psalm 61:1-5