
As a child when the world felt impossible to understand
There he always was
Not one for unnecessary speak but how he loved to tell his good stories
The reason for their start never quite clear but the ending always delivered with loving, insightful touch
Smiling in that knowing way as he does, eyes squinted in the corners
His laugh lines always saying so much
My curiosity as a child, he always seemed to pause so comfortably in the middle of any conversation
Giving every person he engaged deserved thought
At ease with his own mind and soul
Telling our little ears to learn about the ocean tides, when and how they flow
Know when not to be scared but when you feel trouble, work hard for things you love, learn as much as you can, be your own person and no matter what always keep your values in hand
With the most difficult of questions in life there was never any rush
When you asked him in urgency, trying to navigate the heart and its sometimes misdirected ways
His answer was to measure you up with a fishing rod and take you out on the ocean for the day
Silently rocking back and forth in a boat while listening to the lapping waves
He never gave you an answer but you always found your way
He let you be and gave you space, smiling when he was proud
Disappointment wasn’t very often and never harsh or loud
As years went on I came to understand the reason he never directed us or handed us answers in response
He knew the gifts of love and safety, showing us how and where to find our peace
He taught us the answers we seek are always in the calm and quiet
He is my Uncle
I am his forever grateful niece
~Alisa Hutton