A Carver

If you want to understand a person, understand their hobbies.  My interpretation, right or wrong, is that people have hobbies that reflect their personality.   My wife is flower gardener and it fits her personality of wanting to add beauty to the life of others.  My Dad likes to complete and frame jigsaw puzzles.  It fits his personality of putting parts together to make something useful.

My Uncle Carl passed away a few months back.   Like his brothers and sisters, he overcame the loss of his mom at a young age, the object poverty of the depression, and a father who found sobriety to be a challenge.

At an age when most boys were still playing, my Uncle started to carve out a life for himself.  Entering the Korean War as a solider, he saw the horrific aspects of war.  The type of action that a solider never mentions.  He served with honor.

My Uncle Carl came home from war and carved out a life for himself and his family.   He earned a living and provided for his family.  He carved out a college-educated life for his children.

My Uncle carved out a reputation for service to community.  He was a volunteer fireman.  He would eventually become Fire Chief and modernize a small village fire department.   My uncle would become the major of that small village leading with a commitment of service to others that he first learned on the frozen battlefield of Korea.

My Uncle was an accomplished wood carver.  His hobby reflected his life.  Before he ever took a knife to a piece of wood, he carved out a life from the most humble of beginnings.     Now he carves in heaven.   May his knife always be sharp and his wood always clear.