Two Brothers

My dad, Lafe and my Uncle Kelland were the youngest of five children. It wasn't until they were both gone from this world that I realized the love they had for each other. Probably the biggest example of that love was in the children who carried on that legacy. I don't think my siblings and I would have the relationships with my cousins that we do if my dad and my uncle hadn't been best friends.
Uncle Kelland's family lived in Blackfoot, Idaho for a time while I growing up. While Dad visited with his brother, we would hang out with our cousins, whether it was Blackfoot or Paul, Idaho. Often my uncle and my dad would turn to each other when help was needed. This was probably my first impression of the brotherly love that they had for each other.

Just after my brother, Jay and I bought a condo, Mom brought down some old family photos. Instead of taking them off her hands, I scanned them into the computer and eventually a flash drive. There was picture or two of Uncle Kelland's family at our place and some of my siblings with our cousins before my attended college in Idaho. (Uncle Kelland's family moved back to Manassa, Colorado before I finished grade school.) Even without internet access, my uncle and my dad remained close.

And I see that same effort in us, their children. We have connected on Facebook, even with my dad's sisters' children. From time to time, John, Jay and I will meet with our cousins who live in the Salt Lake Valley for a Sunday dinner or dine out at nearby restaurant. For awhile, John, Jay and I would travel to Manti to see the pageant. We would spend the night with Lannette. And  when there is a wedding or family event, we get together.

And it is because of the example that our fathers set for us. We reach out to each other because they did.