Over the weekend we were with my 92-year-old uncle. Uncle Bob is my dad’s youngest brother. He’s never been in the hospital; he’s never been in a car accident. He lives with his wife of almost 70 years (August 2020) in their own home near Brainerd, MN. My Auntie Joyce will be 90 in April. Bob sometimes gets his dates confused but Joyce will chime in with the correct ones. They have had their share of hardships over the years but they have weathered them well together. What a joy to be with them…in their beautiful home up north.
Gary and I went for a walk with Uncle Bob (Joyce stayed back). It was a slow, leisurely walk. As we walked I thought about leisurely walks with our two-year-old granddaughter up north last fall. Those walks with grandchildren are precious in a different way…they are slow walks because of their curiosity and exuberance.
92…2: opposite ends of the spectrum…both slow, leisurely walks but for different reasons.
Although Bob is in good health he has slowed down a lot (but he’s happy he doesn’t need a walker). We really enjoyed slowing down and walking with him, and visiting as we walked. My father died at age 55 and Uncle Bob tells us stories of their childhood and a lot of the kindnesses my dad showed his brother and others (and also about a few pranks he played too). Gary never met my father and has told Bob he thinks of him as the father-in-law he never had.
I am so grateful for these times together. Uncle Bob wanted us to come to visit them and talk about our upcoming trip to Norway and the family ties. Now they want us to come back after our trip to hear all the stories we’ll have. We certainly will. It’s such a gift to have Uncle Bob and Auntie Joyce in our lives.
What a blessing to slow down and spend time with these much-loved family members. They look great and sound like lovely people.
And you’re right also about the blessings of slowing down with grandchildren and appreciating the details.
We do considered ourselves blessed, by Uncle Bob and Auntie Joyce, and our grandchildren.
What a wonderful tale of visiting your aunt and uncle ‘up north’. Your Uncle Bob must be a very interesting man to converse with. I’m sure your visit brought a lot of joy to them! My only surviving aunt turns 90 next week. Unfortunately, she lives in Houston, TX so I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like, but will make a point of seeing her this fall. She has been such a special aunt – also my godmother!
I’m glad you have a trip planned to see your special aunt, and godmother. Distance is such a factor…though not as far, sometimes it’s hard to get up north to see my aunt and uncle.
So great that Bob can tell stories about your dad and their childhood. Reading this I hope we can take leisurely walks at 90.
I hope so too, for sure!
So glad you could spend some time with them Valerie❤️
We would so much like to see them again also but they are getting old so we dont know if we will. But I think they are still looking good though👍🤣
Will send a card for them back with you when we see you in about 4 months🙌💃💃 Take care in these Corona times😢😘
Bob and Joyce are doing well and we always cherish our time with them. Cindy was up for a while too, when we were there.
I sure hope the coronavirus outbreak has passed by June!