to everything there is a season...

well 2008 has started out much differently than I imagined it would...

just a few short days into the year my Uncle Carl passed away - this was my dad's youngest living brother (my dad is the 2nd oldest of 4 brothers, Ernie, Brahm, Carl and James...the two youngest now deceased.) i traveled with dad to Grand Rapids, MI for the memorial and funeral; it was great to reconnect with cousins and other family i hadn't seen in years but even more enjoyable was the opportunity to celebrate the life and faith of a great father, brother, uncle, soldier, grandfather and friend. it was easy to see his legacy of Christ, love and laughter in his 5 kids, and his "9 and a half " grand kids...

i also had the unique opportunity to fly with my dad - an ex-fighter pilot and learned things i never knew before, like did you know what those stripes on a runway are for? i do now!!!
my dad is 80 and it was humorous when he asked his older brother if things had changed much in downtown (Grand Rapids) since he had moved away in 1949! well they had and it was a fun tour to say the least!

i also learned that dad's side of the family is a talented and successful group of people, with great hearts, a passion for the outdoors, and just good people! (not that i didn't know that before, but it was nice to see us cousins all turned out pretty good!)

i salute you Uncle Carl Lewis Malkewitz, you were truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed!