Friday, June 17, 2016
Uncle Dan was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He never had a bad word about anyone and he always found a way to compliment everyone around him. Since his passing, I have been thinking a lot about 1 Corinthians, the famous Chapter 13 verses about love, and about how they sum up his life.
Love is patient. Just one example. When Uncle Dan was around my age now (50), I remember him spending endless hours in the yard teaching Danny (as he was then known) to play baseball. It was so impressive how much time he spent patiently showing how much he loved his son, not just saying it but living it. I don't recall ever seeing him become impatient in all the years I knew him.
Love is kind. As I said, Uncle Dan always found a way to put in a compliment. Even when something went wrong or turned out not for the best or when someone goofed, he found the silver lining or the graceful thing to say. As I try to write an example, it is impossible to choose because he did this so reflexively that I cannot think of an example when he did NOT do it.
Love is not jealous, pompous or inflated. It is not self-seeking. As much as Uncle Dan loved to compliment others, he had an almost toxic aversion to being complimented himself. Even as I write this, I can hear his voice trying to dissuade me, turning the words back to me, not wishing to be the center of plaudits he clearly deserves. And he never, never, never boasted. It is almost impossible to imagine him doing so.
So faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love. If Saint Paul was correct -- and these passages are among the most quoted from the Bible and millions of couples have heard them on their wedding days -- Uncle Dan practiced in the art of his life the greatest of gifts in the humblest of ways. When someone dies, it is routine to say nice things about him or her, but in this case anyone who knew Uncle Dan could agree: he was a singular man, a patient man, a kind man, a gentle man. A Christian in the very best sense of the word. He will be sorely missed and as long as we draw breath he will be loved, as well he loved. My sincerest condolences to all who are suffering his loss. He is in paradise now if ever anyone was.
