I wrote the article below a little over 20 years, and I wanted to re-share this story today.
In all of our lives there are hopefully a few individuals that have made a big impact. My Uncle Dutch and Aunt Peggy were two such people. When, as a teenager, I was having a lot of problems at home, they took me in for a while. They helped firm up my rudder that was wobbling terribly. My uncle passed away today at the age of 92 after living what I would call a good and meaningful life. God bless you, Uncle, and godspeed on your new journey.
My Uncle Dutch is not a tall man, and he has what we affectionately call a Buddha belly. I know that he was skinny once upon a time. I have seen pictures of him when he was young and in the Navy, but that is not the Harry Dodd I know. He is elderly now, with white hair, and it is hard for me to not think of him in a suit and tie. The first thing that you will probably notice about my Uncle is his smile. While he doesn’t smile all the time, it is certainly there more than it isn’t. And it is the type of smile that just lights up his whole face.
He is married to my mother’s sister. Now that I am older, I recognize her as kind, gentle, woman. Continue reading “The Unintended Lesson – Revisited”