Resting

We take our time, we look at our time, we enjoy our time. A wise, wise man has left us and gone to hang with the angels. My uncle Howard left us this afternoon, I can remember many moments with him, it was he that carried me about house when I was a wee lad, flipping on and off light switches, and hollering lights, lights Howard, lights. Much to the displeasure of the occupants of the room. The gentleman that explained many of the finer points of basic photography and composition to me.

He inspired me to serve, along with my father, a long tenure in the United States Navy. He taught me a great deal, he taught all of us a great deal, he was instrumental in standing up many programs, quite a few continue to impact people today.

He was around to help and assist all of my brothers, my sister, my cousins. He attended our weddings, he gave away brides, he dispensed wisdom. He had a ready smile, useful input and quiet commentary. While he was not a head of state, he greeted many of them, he worked for generals far and wide, swore off riding ships at sea. While I can remember a story he told me once that he rode a ship across the Pacific and the seas were so rough that he remained sick the entire time, I need not remind the reader that I spent 8 and a half years of sea duty in the navy, he made a deal with God back then, yes way back then. That if he could get through this crossing in one piece, that he would not board another ship again. He kept that promise.

I will for one miss my beloved Godfather, he was there when my parents started out, he was there when I started out, he took my brother and I to Jamaica so I could find my wife, even though I was seven, and my wife had not been born yet. He took us on airplane rides to many places, rode right up there in the front, with the big seats. Taught us a few words of german, yes I still remember, helped fine tune a love for jazz music, helped us find some odd jobs for spending change, as it was important to earn a dollar or three.

He adopted our wayward mutt, who lived with him as a companion for many, many years, Snoopy had a bad habit of running off, finding a mud puddle or two before he would return home, hungry and tired.

I remember him being there for many of us, much of the time. I will remember that he is one of the greatest men that I have ever known. He was godfather, mentor, brother, son, friend, and professor to many of us, to many more of us, he was just plain special. And sadly we give him a new tasking.

Ancestor;

Uncle Howard, your presence will be greatly missed, while we would like to hold your hand a little longer, we realize you are with the almighty.
Thank you for helping shape our lives