We interrupt our usual programming for some nostalgia. My Dad is down in Florida, visiting my Uncle Richard for what will be the last time, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them (and my Mom, and my Aunt Lois, too). So, I went through photo albums, taking pictures, and here they are.

The little cutie on his mom’s lap is my Dad, once upon a time. The young lad in knickers sitting next to him is my Uncle Richard, aged approximately 9.

This photo was about 9 years later, I think– my Dad looks about 10. My uncle is the tall fellow in the back (probably about 18). My guess is this was taken around the time he joined the army at the end of WWII. In fact, he was shipped out before his high school graduation, and on graduation day, my Dad went up on stage to collect the diploma for his big brother.

  Grandpa, Aunt Lois, Uncle Richard, Grandma, Dad. I wish I knew the year! I’m guessing my Dad’s about 13-14 here, which would put my uncle about 22.

  This one is from Christmas 1957. My Uncle, again, is the tall chap in the back; my grandparents are in the middle, and my Dad is down in front, almost 21 years old. (The other two people are my Aunt’s parents. I’m guessing she was the one taking the picture.)

A bad photograph of a bad photograph, but this was my aunt and uncle on my cousin Don’s [extraordinarily hot] wedding day, 1975. The photo may not be great, but they sure look happy!

At least a few years later (since this photo includes a grandchild). In the back, my grandmother, my mother (hiding), me (looking very, very 1980s), Dad, cousin Dianne, cousin Don. In front, cousin Robin, my aunt’s mother, my aunt, my uncle (in green), my aunt’s father, and Nancy, Don’s wife, with their daughter Katherine. This is the entire family at that time, with the exception of my sister, Patty, who stayed home that day. By the look of my hair–I was growing out a really bad Princess Di cut–I think this was my sophomore year in high school, so . . . 1982 or so.

Fast-forward a bunch of years, and here are the two brothers, on the golf course, where they’re the happiest. That’s my uncle on the left and my Dad on the right, circa 1997.

And here’s another, more recent shot, at the award ceremony from my uncle’s golf club’s Member-Guest tournament in 2003.

We love you, Uncle Richard.

• Tags: Family • Permalink:For my Uncle //