UNCLE JOE

The other day I had worship music on in the early morning, and I refused to put the t.v. on for Adam. He resisted at first, but then came in the kitchen to join me as I was worshipping and dancing; it was a three beat melody, like a waltz, so I  was waltzing. Adam rolled into the kitchen in his wheelchair and wanted to join me.( Adam needs to have his shoes and braces on in order to walk, so he was using his chair.It was still pajama time in our house; we were barefoot.) So we waltzed together and it was fun and the presence of the Lord was sweet. He hasn't danced with me in a long time. I don't really know why, except that all of my kids and grandkids dance with me when they are little, and then they grow into bigger kids and think it's funny and just won't do it. I think I embarrass them. :0}.

Later in the morning, I remembered my mother dancing with my Uncle Joe. He wasn't really my uncle, but when I was growing up everyone that was a close friend became an uncle or aunt. Uncle Joe was my father's friend from WWII. I don't really know how they met, only that they were in the war together, and he was a good friend of our family. He had been shot and his spinal cord was severed in his lower back; he used a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He was a Purple Heart Hero. He was very independant and even drove his own car...he had hand controls for everything. I was always fascinated by this. He never took us driving but he always let us check out the car. He would hoist himself into it, fold up his wheelchair, and put it behind the driver's seat. I was amazed at how strong he was and how he could lift that heavy chair that way.  When he visited, my father would pull his chair up the front steps in order to get him into the house. Uncle Joe would hold the wheels and push backward,  and by working together, they always managed to get inside without any problems. On a few occasions, my mother would put on some old music, and she and Uncle Joe would do the Lindy. They were really good! The last time I saw them dance together was at my wedding.

I saw him once when my girls were little. He stopped by my home for a visit. He didn't want to come in, so since it was a warm and sunny spring day, and we sat under the shade of the oak trees hanging over the driveway and talked for an hour or two. He told me that he had become a Jehovah's Witness and was getting married. I shared my faith with him and wished him happiness. It was so good to see him. That was also the last time I saw him. I often wonder how things worked out. I think my parents lost touch with him after he married. I don't think they saw him again after they retired to North Carolina. It is strange to think that I never went to his home and never knew where he lived.(probably because there were five of us kids and he had an apartment). I guess when you're a child you don't think of those things, and when you're my age and begin to wonder about it, it's too late. But it's not too late to enjoy the memories. I just thought I would share this one with you today. Mom dancing with Uncle Joe; one of my favorites.