My Uncle’s One

Yesterday I quoted novelist Brad Meltzer’s line, “We’re all raised by many fathers in our lives.”

My uncle is in that group.

He’s a excellent dentist, an outstanding golfer, and a superb mentor.

He frequently took me to lunch with his friends when I was around 8 and 10.  Sitting in cafes and restaurants and coffee shops, I was fascinated by these attorneys, stock brokers, business owners.  Their conversations and what they read made huge impressions.  One of them helped me learn chess.  They all helped me learn about life.

He tried to teach me golf.  He gave me golf equipment.  He encouraged me to take golf in college, which I did…twice…but still play so badly I tell people I don’t really play.  Which I don’t, really.  But not because my uncle didn’t try.

He was and continues to be a superb mentor.  Back then, driving around and running errands together, talking about anything and everything, he taught me significant lessons without lecturing.  He’d ask questions and tell stories.  He’d also listen to my stories and answer my questions. He helped me learn about living life.

To this day, his frequent emails are still welcome sights onscreen.  He still shares time and insights with me.  I’m thankful for my uncle, his influence and his being one of  my “many fathers.”

Who’s on your list?