A Tribute to Leroy

On Friday I received news that my uncle Leroy had passed away. He has been on hospice care, so we all knew his time on earth was limited. Mortal life had become a constant state of pain for him. The meds he was on obscured his thinking at times. Yet, through it all, he would be the one asking how someone else was doing or inquiring about another's welfare.

He was a newly wed, relatively speaking. He had married Bette two years ago. They were married in the beautiful, simple, country church he grew up in, as was my mother. She, too, was married in this church, on the corner of corn fields and gravel roads, in rural Nebraska. My uncle was married in September- the second weekend in September- (on my sister Laura's birthday). It is the same week-end my daughter is getting married this year.

I was able to make it to his wedding. I loved being a part of the family celebration for such a joyous event. To see the people come from far and near to help celebrate the new union because of their love for this couple was heart-warming. I soon learned, though, the extent of that love. Coming to the wedding and celebrating at the reception was a great sacrifice for the Nebraskans. The wedding was on the night of the University of Nebraska game against USC. The UN fans gave up their stadium seats for a folding chair in the reception hall of Peace Lutheran Church. This was true friendship and family love! They snuck in a radio to the kitchen, though. At least they could keep track of the score between bites of cake and swigs of fruit punch. I did not advertise to the group my affiliation wth California (where I live) or dare root for USC! Uncle Leroy acknowledged their love of him and the sacrifice they made to help him celebrate his wedding. Watching all of this made me realize what a slice of Americana was before me. This felt like a different time, a different era, and yet, it was in the here and now. It was a blessing to be a part of this.

This is how I will remember my uncle; dancing at his wedding, with a smile and a song, and an apology to his friends for getting married on a game night. Here's to you, Leroy Hinz.