Thoughts of Uncle Al
I have always thought of Uncle Al as kind. When I close my eyes I can easily see his smile. He was always coming up with some amusing quip or connection to share, and he was a very good listener. He was genuine in his interactions with humans, which is one of the things I most highly value in a person. I have seen the word “kind” used over and over in eulogies and stories describing him and it feels good to share this with others who feel the same way.
Just before my trip toPolandlast fall as the 2012 PACIM Cultural Exchange artist, I received a check out of the blue from Uncle Al and Aunt Gloria congratulating me. This gesture of theirs to help with expenses sends the same sentiment home once again. Their card wished me a wonderful trip and expressed their pride in my representing our family there and our Polish heritage. In a way I was surprised, but in another way not because they have always supported me in my art, and it means so much to me. When I opened that card, I felt so loved and cared for, and such a strong feeling of warmth and connection that it filled me with tears. That is the way I feel once again as I think about Uncle Al.
He is someone to look up to and to learn from his example about living and sharing. I will always remember him in my heart.