Dear Jim:
If this website could take audio, you’d hear Ben, Kate, Mike and me singing “Happy Birthday” to you in our lovely Minnesota accents! We are so happy that you all can take this special trip together for your 80th birthday celebration!
I’ve been so lucky to have you as my uncle. It seemed that you always had sage advice for me whether regarding education options, travel ideas or even boyfriends. Thankfully, you seemed to approve of Mike!
A minor, yet significant, role you’ve played in my life is as my personal chauffeur. At my high school graduation, there was a rather dapper gentleman with a driver’s cap leaning against a shiny black Lincoln. Everyone was asking who had the chauffeur and I was curious, too, until I realized it was my own uncle! My somewhat mortified, somewhat thrilled 18 year old self didn’t know how to react, but I soon found that I could get used to a personal driver! Of course, years later I had to ask you to recreate your chauffeur role for our wedding. I’m quite sure there must be something that I need a chauffeur for soon — even just to get to work — are you available?!
Mom mentioned our unique trip to New York City during the transit strike, and I can think of many other family trips to New York, Texas, meeting up in San Diego and, of course, South Dakota, too. It’s always been so special to be able to get together. Thank you for coming to the lake this summer. I love that my kids are getting to know you, too. One night when I was laughing so hard over something, Kate said that I laughed like Uncle Jim and Grandma. That, of course, made me laugh harder. I’m sure she’s referring to the Ode wheezy nostril laughing that sometimes comes out. Cracks me up that my kids caught that. Of course, then they were guffawing over me and I think I detected the exact same laugh! You have to love what gets passed through the generations!
I hope you all have a fabulous trip and that you’re ushered into your next golden decade in style. May you have beautiful music, delicious food, wonderful wine and laughing and storytelling until the wheeze comes out!
Much love,
Amy