Today my family buried uncle Leonard. I was not able to be there physically but I was there in spirit. Even though I was not able to attend the funeral I want to say a few words about my uncle. When the life one leads comes to an end everyone reflects for a short time on the things one remembers about that person but so few say anything. If we all just wrote down just one thing we remember about that person we could see just how that person touched each one of our lives. I remember my uncle back in the 50’s before he went to the Air force. I remember he had a really beautiful blue pick up. He took me with him one time to see a girlfriend who lived in El Rancho. To me it was a long trip from Nambe. I remember I was standing on the seat at his side as he drove there. I think he had bought me a candy or something for me to eat. Uncle Leonard was a very good mechanic. I don’t just say that because he was my uncle but because it is true. He served in the air force as a mechanic in SAC, Strategic Air Command, an elite part of the Air Force and a major player in the cold war in the 50’s and 60’s. You had to be among the best to serve with SAC and you had to have a high secret clearance among other qualifications. He flew all over the world with SAC and he would often tell stories of the different places he saw. I believe that it was those stories that reinforces my desire to see the world. Uncle Leonard was where we would go for advice or to get a second opinion other than our own fathers. He was present in all our lives growing up in Nambe. He took us hunting, camping and taught us how to fix cars and small engines, electrical work and plumbing among other things. Not to say that our Dad did not teach us things, he did but uncle Leonard taught us as well. There is not a day goes by that I don’t remember him and Dad as I do things around the house. While I am doing them I remember the first time I did them and who taught me how to do it. I remember vividly those moments and it brings on a smile because of the love I feel in those moments. I can write on and on about my uncle and what he means to me and my brothers and sisters and on how he touched us all. How he was responsible in giving us direction in life and the paths we took. I just want to say, Thank you uncle for being there for us, thank you for teaching us about life and work and so many others things. In the end you suffered in silence and even in that silence you taught us through example on how to die with dignity. You will be missed dearly. RIP We love you
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:34:27 +0000