A Good And Faithful Servant

Mark called me on his birthday.

I answered the phone by singing, "Happy birthday to yoooooooo"

"I just got off the phone with Rick. Uncle Paul died. Rick, Theresa, Aunt Jacque, Uncle Johnny and Elise were with him when he died. "

"Oh."

It was awful. 

That night, while reading our book, the author quoted:

"...Well done, good and faithful servant."
Matthew 25:23

And I thought of my Uncle Paul.

Paul was the driving force in our family. I didn't get the opportunity to meet Grandpa Jack. I only knew Uncle Paul as the patriarch in the Deason family. He did it well, you know. 

Uncle Paul simply loved our family camp-outs. He would get to camp a few days early to organize, build and ready for the family to come. I don't know that we "kids" knew to what extent he would go to assure a perfect experience for each. The wood would be chopped and stacked, the fire pit dug and surrounded by logs for sitting, the bathroom dug and built, the kitchen staged and set, camp spots for each, wooden "chairs" for the little ones and even a shower for those that felt the need to cleanse. If it needed done, Uncle Paul was the one to make it happen.

My first impression of Uncle Paul was how very handsome this man is. I know. I know. I'm a bit biased. However, Uncle Paul was tall, lean and had the best eyes EVER. And he absolutely adored Aunt Charlene. She would tell her stories and he would simply shake his head and grin. One of the last times I got to visit with Uncle Paul, he told me "Man, I love her." And he meant it.

Uncle Paul quietly observed the goings-on in the Deason tribe. He was super smart and would watch stoically as we muddled and figured things out on our own. I admire that. I know, at times, he would have loved to knock our heads together. Yet he didn't. He met our grievances with humor - and taught us the same.

Uncle Paul taught "the boys" a love of camping, and fishing, and hunting while teaching them to respect the world in which we reside. There aren't many stories that Mark tells that don't include Uncle Paul.

The other day I was bathing. My iPod shuffled to Brantley Gilbert singing "One Hell Of An Amen". 

Doctor said he ain't got long
He just smiled said bring it on
If you think I'm scared
You got it all wrong
A little cancer can't break me
My heart's right and I believe
We all hit our knees
Started praying
No, he never gave up
Said the good Lord's waiting
And that's One Hell of an Amen
That's the only way to go
Fighting the good fight
'Til the good Lord calls you home
So be well, my friend,
Until I see you again
This is our last goodbye
But it's a Hell of an Amen

I love you, Uncle Paul. Thank you for teaching each of us to love God's creations. Thank you for guiding us with love and patience and kindness. Thank you for the twinkle in your eyes and the smile on your lips. Thank you for leading us through good times and trials.

Dumbledore said it best in Harry Potter:

"It's not really goodbye after all."