Today in 1920, my mom’s older brother was born. He, together with my mom, her twin Cliff and their sister Mary had a tough life when my granddad deserted Grams and them in 1925 – just prior to the depression. They had an unusually austere upbringing with only the proceeds of piano lessons to feed, clothe and shelter them for the next 4 years. In 1929 Grams remarried Dr. Knoche, a German (immigrant) Dentist who embraced the “religion” of Theosophy. They were married in its meeting hall in downtown Jacksonville. This became the basis of their family’s faith.
While my mom stayed home with my brother, Uncle Jim went to war (WWII.) During his time in the Mediterranean he served as the communications mate in a small enclosure on the deck of his ship. Shortly after the invasion of Italy he got orders to head for England and then home after 18 months. Based on a published article written by a shipmate I read a number of years ago, the day after Uncle Jim left for England a rocket hit the communication shack, destroying it and killing the new communications mate. God’s intervention saved his life and allowed me the opportunity of having a truly wonderful friend during these past few years.
I had only seen Uncle Jim on a few occasions up until I was in my sixties. Our families were just not that close and lived, most often in different cities. In 2011 God just put it on my heart to call him and take him to lunch. We enjoyed talking about the family and I learned a lot about my mom and the challenges they faced in the early years as well as other notables. After we had lunch a couple times I received a call from his next door neighbor stating that he had been rushed to the hospital. For the next few days as he recovered, we had many conversations and I really grew to love this “crusty old dude.” For all of his tough exterior, I could sense there was more inside that needed to come out. I have been blessed over the past few years to see that goodness and his level of love grow – still that exterior, but I can see the truth.
During the week or ten days Uncle Jim was in the hospital we covered a wide range of subjects, mostly small talk until one night he introduced the concept of the eternal and my mother’s faith. During those moments, Uncle Jim had a “vision” that superimposed his mother’s face upon mine. She spoke to him and told him to listen to what I had to say – truly a God moment. That night he established the faith that he had been predestined to possess. That night I knew why God had saved his life some 70+ years before. God was willing to wait decades of our time for someone He loved. Since that day Uncle Jim has recounted various incidents that he felt were errors on his part. It’s good to know that God has used those “mistakes” to prepare him for his faith. Without them he would not be part of the Kingdom of God and I am glad he is because his outlook is different, his joy is much fuller and his friends are in greater number.
One of the things that Uncle Jim has often asked is why God let him live to be 94 years of age. I remind him that God saw something good in him and loved him unconditionally and that is all the reason He needed. Personally, I am glad God did, because Uncle Jim has become a friend, a brother and someone whom I will cherish all the days of my life. I can close my eyes and see mom smiling.
Love Dad