Five Years Later

I will never forget when my parents sold their business. To be sure, growing up on a campground of grumpy old people had its headaches. But with all the headaches and the Christmas Eve dinners that we were pulled away from to fix this or that, there were also some memories that are precious to me. Mostly, these memories are the ones of working side-by-side with my Dad, Grandpa, Uncles, cousins, and siblings. When I think back to it, these were the forming years of my life. These years were where I was taught to be a man.

It was on the campground that I learned how to work hard and to analysis a situation before working because as my grandpa always said, "Brain power beats man power." I learned generosity and compassion from my Uncle Chip who took his time and his money to weld and assemble a trailer for use of the campground. I learned how to be a good teacher and loving father from my Dad who always took the time to show me what he was doing and when I would screw something up would lovingly show me how to fix it. My Uncle Steve would greet and be willing to talk with anyone and would often demonstrate compassion to some of the most difficult people.

It was five years ago today that I was on the campground and heard the news of my Uncle Chip's death. I had come home from college and was working with my Dad on the campground. It was unbelievable. Story after story, we heard of the true character of Chip Vater and his heart. Even in his last moments, he told a coworker that he loved him. Looking into the faces of friends and family, we all shared stories of Uncle Chip's love for his God and love for others. The hours he poured into helping start a church in Cincinnati, the mission's trip he took to the Ukraine and the adoption story of my cousin, the four-wheeling, the donkey, the farm.

I wondered then, how can a family recover from the loss of a dad, a husband, a brother, a son, and an uncle who had so much life and love? I honestly have never been so moved then to see how Christ has healed the broken pieces that were left in the wake of his death. His sons have grown up to be men that serve God. His wife has fallen even more in love with Jesus who teaching her youngest son and daughter of Uncle Chip's life. My mom, aunts, and uncle have clung to each other in these five years and realized the importance of family. Grandma tells the stories of Chip, her son, to everyone. My siblings and I keep his memory fresh in our minds. We wonder, would Uncle Chip be proud of us? In the passage of five years, I reflect to think of the husband, brother, son, uncle, and one day father that I am. Have I shown Christ to my friends and my family? What will others say of my legacy?

One year later in August, my world was changed again. My grandpa passed away after battling health problems for most of his life. My grandpa shared many of the same personality traits that I have. He was a man that I dearly loved. An uncle and a grandpa…five years later.

Tomorrow is my birthday. Each year we mourn the loss of my uncle the day before my birthday. I heard often from others five years ago that this is a tragedy that the day before my birthday would always be filled with mourning the loss of my uncle. In five years, I have realized that every year I have the opportunity to reflect on my life along with the life of my uncle. I pause and think of the legacy that I am leaving and what I have done in the past year to bring God's kingdom to earth as in heaven. I think about the things I will do this day and in the future to proclaim Good News to the poor in a way that would honor my Uncle Chip. I think about the journey that he was a part, is the same journey that I am on which goes all the way back to the calling of Abram.

Thank you Uncle Chip for your life, your love, and your legacy. We love and miss you.

Your nephew,

Noah