My family and I traveled back to Minnesota in July this summer for two weeks, but I will write more on that later. The biggest news (and among the most important) that happened while we were at home was that my Uncle Jerry passed away (or as my cousin so eloquently put it "he sailed off into the sunset, just beyond the horizon" which is fitting because he was in fact a sailor).
My Uncle Jerry was one of the most interesting people I've known-- definitely one of the most motivated in seeking after his dreams. I could chronicle his journey but he actually did that for me by writing his
own book! So, rather than share his life story, I will share a few of my memories of Uncle Jerry.
I grew up hanging out at Uncle Jerry & Aunt Marion's house a lot as a kid--Aunt Marion babysat me and I loved being there (their youngest daughters, Mary and Erin were my favorite people). So my earliest memories of Uncle Jerry go way back -- and what do I remember?
His hair. He had white hair and a white beard from my earliest memories. But he wasn't old. I also remember his shop. He was a welder and had a shop near his home and on a few rare occasions, Erin and I would go over for a visit (or try to sell his customers lemonade and chips). He worked hard. He was always in his shop.
But I later found out, he wasn't always working on work. He had his own passions and ideas too; his own thirst for adventure and a challenge. Jerry and his family lived in rural NW Minnesota in the middle of fields and forests. Imagine driving down the gravel road and suddenly seeing a sailboat parked next to the shop. Imagine discovering that this sailboat was built from scratch by a welder who just wanted to try building a boat. He learns how to build the boat, how to sail and navigate, how to use Morris code and how to use a radio to communicate, and
everything else required to sail somewhere. And then he sails. Every year he sails. And not just around one of the 10,000 lakes his state is known for. No, He sails down the Mississippi River, around the Gulf, from New Orleans to the Caribbean; and then one year, he sails to Norway. And the next he sails around Spain and Portugal. And then finally back to the USA. (My memory of where they went in what order is not at all accurate... please read his book.) His family joined him on his adventures and sometimes his neighbors and friends did as well. And in between trips, he worked. He works so hard. He worked and worked so he could sail and sail.
And when I was in 9th grade, he took a week off of everything and led a sailing camp (sort of like a Bible camp, but with a sailing emphasis). I wish I could remember all that he taught us during that week, but alas, as it goes with summer camp stories, there was a boy I liked so nothing stuck in my mind very long. I do remember being out on the water every day with my friends and watching Uncle Jerry do his thing; being so proud that he was MY uncle. He looked so happy and totally in his element.
When I brought Chris home to meet my family over Thanksgiving 2008, Jerry took us and a few other cousins out for a walk around his property after dinner. It was all covered in snow and a bit cold. The entire time, he talked with Chris -- telling him stories of his life and adventures with sailing. I'm a little ashamed to say that I wasn't really paying attention but Chris certainly was. When we got home Chris was totally in awe of this man who had done so many incredible things and taken such grand adventures on his boat. I was so proud of who Jerry was at that moment -- not only had he done such cool things -- but that he was thoughtful in sharing his story and his life with Chris. I don't think many uncles do that with a nieces boyfriend! It was such a special walk.
Ten years ago, Jerry was diagnosed with a very aggressive leukemia and after months and months and months of treatment, a transplant and care he came through it. It was amazing to see and everyone was so very grateful for his miracle. It took a toll on his body for sure but that didn't stop him from pursuing his life's passion. In 2017 he sailed again in the Bahamas! He always had stories to share and he was always willing to sit for minute longer to share another one. But for as many adventures has Jerry took, he never forgot to ask about your own. Always willing to listen and ask questions. And for Chris and I, that usually meant talking about California where Jerry had also lived for awhile in his early married life.
I was able to see Uncle Jerry one last time just three weeks ago. It was certainly unplanned but I'm glad the Lord worked it out that way. He was in the hospital in Grand Forks (a turn in his health seemed to come on very suddenly) and I was on my way to Grand Forks with my brother to meet up with my mom and sister Molly. We decided to meet at the hospital and say a quick hello. It had been 18 months since I had last seen him. We ended up all crowding into his room and he made sure he asked us all how we were doing and what we were up to. He shared his health update and then looked very tired so we moved our gathering to the lobby where we stayed and chatted with Marion and Erin for hours. He passed away a week later.
When I heard the news, my heart ached. He had fought so hard through his cancer. He had gone through and survived such amazing things. And then this one thing just became too much and he would not fight any longer. I had no idea how big this "one thing" was or how long it had been a part of life. It took me by surprise; I didn't think this was his end. I just assumed that being who he was, he'd be back up in no time. My heart ached for his family. My aunt (his wife of 53 years), his children, and his grandchildren. I thought of their home and how it must feel now that he isn't in it. Of driving by his shop knowing he wasn't there either. My heart filled with sadness.
His legacy to me is this: you can learn as much as you need to learn to do the things you truly want to do. You can work hard and go after your dreams -- even when it might not make sense at the time. :) And everyone has a story if you just ask them about it!
Now, I just have to figure out what my dreams are!
Obituary Link
My family and I traveled back to Minnesota in July this summer for two weeks, but I will write more on that later. The biggest news (and among the most important) that happened while we were at home was that my Uncle Jerry passed away (or as my cousin so eloquently put it "he sailed off into the sunset, just beyond the horizon" which is fitting because he was in fact a sailor).
My Uncle Jerry was one of the most interesting people I've known-- definitely one of the most motivated in seeking after his dreams. I could chronicle his journey but he actually did that for me by writing his
own book! So, rather than share his life story, I will share a few of my memories of Uncle Jerry.
I grew up hanging out at Uncle Jerry & Aunt Marion's house a lot as a kid--Aunt Marion babysat me and I loved being there (their youngest daughters, Mary and Erin were my favorite people). So my earliest memories of Uncle Jerry go way back -- and what do I remember?
His hair. He had white hair and a white beard from my earliest memories. But he wasn't old. I also remember his shop. He was a welder and had a shop near his home and on a few rare occasions, Erin and I would go over for a visit (or try to sell his customers lemonade and chips). He worked hard. He was always in his shop.
But I later found out, he wasn't always working on work. He had his own passions and ideas too; his own thirst for adventure and a challenge. Jerry and his family lived in rural NW Minnesota in the middle of fields and forests. Imagine driving down the gravel road and suddenly seeing a sailboat parked next to the shop. Imagine discovering that this sailboat was built from scratch by a welder who just wanted to try building a boat. He learns how to build the boat, how to sail and navigate, how to use Morris code and how to use a radio to communicate, and
everything else required to sail somewhere. And then he sails. Every year he sails. And not just around one of the 10,000 lakes his state is known for. No, He sails down the Mississippi River, around the Gulf, from New Orleans to the Caribbean; and then one year, he sails to Norway. And the next he sails around Spain and Portugal. And then finally back to the USA. (My memory of where they went in what order is not at all accurate... please read his book.) His family joined him on his adventures and sometimes his neighbors and friends did as well. And in between trips, he worked. He works so hard. He worked and worked so he could sail and sail.
And when I was in 9th grade, he took a week off of everything and led a sailing camp (sort of like a Bible camp, but with a sailing emphasis). I wish I could remember all that he taught us during that week, but alas, as it goes with summer camp stories, there was a boy I liked so nothing stuck in my mind very long. I do remember being out on the water every day with my friends and watching Uncle Jerry do his thing; being so proud that he was MY uncle. He looked so happy and totally in his element.
When I brought Chris home to meet my family over Thanksgiving 2008, Jerry took us and a few other cousins out for a walk around his property after dinner. It was all covered in snow and a bit cold. The entire time, he talked with Chris -- telling him stories of his life and adventures with sailing. I'm a little ashamed to say that I wasn't really paying attention but Chris certainly was. When we got home Chris was totally in awe of this man who had done so many incredible things and taken such grand adventures on his boat. I was so proud of who Jerry was at that moment -- not only had he done such cool things -- but that he was thoughtful in sharing his story and his life with Chris. I don't think many uncles do that with a nieces boyfriend! It was such a special walk.
Ten years ago, Jerry was diagnosed with a very aggressive leukemia and after months and months and months of treatment, a transplant and care he came through it. It was amazing to see and everyone was so very grateful for his miracle. It took a toll on his body for sure but that didn't stop him from pursuing his life's passion. In 2017 he sailed again in the Bahamas! He always had stories to share and he was always willing to sit for minute longer to share another one. But for as many adventures has Jerry took, he never forgot to ask about your own. Always willing to listen and ask questions. And for Chris and I, that usually meant talking about California where Jerry had also lived for awhile in his early married life.
I was able to see Uncle Jerry one last time just three weeks ago. It was certainly unplanned but I'm glad the Lord worked it out that way. He was in the hospital in Grand Forks (a turn in his health seemed to come on very suddenly) and I was on my way to Grand Forks with my brother to meet up with my mom and sister Molly. We decided to meet at the hospital and say a quick hello. It had been 18 months since I had last seen him. We ended up all crowding into his room and he made sure he asked us all how we were doing and what we were up to. He shared his health update and then looked very tired so we moved our gathering to the lobby where we stayed and chatted with Marion and Erin for hours. He passed away a week later.
When I heard the news, my heart ached. He had fought so hard through his cancer. He had gone through and survived such amazing things. And then this one thing just became too much and he would not fight any longer. I had no idea how big this "one thing" was or how long it had been a part of life. It took me by surprise; I didn't think this was his end. I just assumed that being who he was, he'd be back up in no time. My heart ached for his family. My aunt (his wife of 53 years), his children, and his grandchildren. I thought of their home and how it must feel now that he isn't in it. Of driving by his shop knowing he wasn't there either. My heart filled with sadness.
His legacy to me is this: you can learn as much as you need to learn to do the things you truly want to do. You can work hard and go after your dreams -- even when it might not make sense at the time. :) And everyone has a story if you just ask them about it!
Now, I just have to figure out what my dreams are!
Obituary Link
