Freshman year of college almost every other weekend we had Sunday dinner at his house. When we didn’t have a ride back to school after a weekend in the big city he’d schlep us from SLC down to Provo in time for class on Monday and made us feel like we were doing him a favor. He lobbied pretty hard for me with his niece while I was in South Africa and she was getting engaged. Our wedding reception was in his back yard.
Today we went to see Uncle Don at the University Medical Center. He’d had a procedure done on his aorta. It was clear as soon as we walked into his room that his heart was as loving as ever. We were lucky enough to have about an hour with him and we talked about his spirits, his health, the family and his memories of 29 years in the Tabernacle Choir. Seeing Uncle Don in the hospital and reflecting with him on his 84 years on the planet reminded me of how lucky I’ve been to have married into his extended family. When I ask Lynne why Uncle Don is so different than her dad and their brother Frank she says, “Don got more of Grandma Egg in him than his brothers.”
Although I was under the impression Lynne and I were going to the hospital to cheer him up, he was the one who gave us a classic M2B:) moment. Midway through his dinner he said, “Excuse me, kids, I gotta go” and rather energetically got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. With only a hospital gown to partially cover him my RN wife called out, rather matter-of-fact-ly, “Cute bum, Uncle Don” …and without missing a beat, or slowing his trek to the john he said, “Enjoy the view!”
3 Comments
perfect!
and a good reminder.. a lot of us need to remember to slow down enough to enjoy the view. Normally, in the past I have said/thought “smell the flowers” but in your context, don’t think I oughta!
I so do appreciate your M2B:-) and it is uplifting, REAL, and inspiring.
I loved The Toodle-Oo… well put. Hubby always tells me “the noblest revenge is to kill them with kindness”. That does not always work so I also subscribe to The Toodle-Oo, Thanks!!
Maybe sometime you can detail what area of South Africa. Hubby just spent the last 1 1/2 years working there.
Make a GREAT day Michael!!
LOL! I needed this laugh today. I can just hear Lynne saying that to her uncle.
I think this post ties in quite nicely with yesterdays post about laughter. To be able to laugh; it’s a fabulous thing.
I suppose there is a time in life where you see what’s really important and what is not. All the gathering of skirt hems may stop then—all the worry about what was once significant and now seems ridiculous. It’s the loving heart that teaches you these things early, I suppose. You are so lucky to have him. I have no one in my family like that. Not a single one. In some ways, my brother has some of it in him. But I make the lack up with good friends. Really good ones. Like Rachel. And you guys. That’s my happy thought. (Wait – can I fly now?)