Despite
the best efforts of doctors and family prayers, Uncle Orson succumbed to the
effects of mortality and passed to the realm of spirits. In doing so, he has joined his parents and
two sisters who preceded him in that journey.
There is surely a joyful reunion between these loving family members as
Orson is welcomed to the place of rest and preparation for the resurrection.
Times like
this remind me of experiences I have enjoyed that have been lost in the years. Such is my time pondering my relationship
with Orson and the times we spent together.
As I said in my last post, Orson has been my closest uncle and has been
a great influence on my life. Being only
14 years older, he was still a boy when I came to the family and I was the
first nephew he had so it was a unique experience for both of us. I liken it to my own son, Joel, and his
relationship with his nieces and nephews – almost a big brother experience
instead of a distant uncle thing.
I can
remember sitting in Grammy’s living room and listening to Uncle Orson’s tales
of the mission field. He served in the
South and had some hair-raising times with the locals of the area. While some of what he said scared me, most of
his stories built a desire in me to go out and serve like he did – as an
ambassador for our Savior. When I did
accept a call (to Canada) there were many times I would hearken back to Orson’s stories
and realize there were some great things we held in common. Part of the reason I decided to serve (not an easy choice) was
because of the positive image my uncle planted in my young heart.
After high
school, I spent some time living in the Orson Whitmer home while I pretended to
go to school and work (I’ll tell you
about that some day). The family was very accepting and counted me
as one of their own while I was there (we had some memorable motorcycle rides on the street in front of
their house).
But I was most blessed because I got to see another home where the
parents loved their children and each other with total commitment. My own parents set a wonderful example but I had
a tendency to discount them because I knew them so well. What I saw in Orson and Leslie’s family was a
standard that, with my own personal experiences, helped me set a plan for how I
would raise my children.
No one
should expect that I think Orson was perfect.
I know he had his weaknesses (but so do I). He would not be afraid to tell you he had his
own warts and difficulties. His life was
full of struggles and challenges (health, job, family, etc.) yet he
never faltered in his devotion to those he loved. Watching from near or far, it was easy to
identify the depth of his love and commitment to his family. He was an example to me (and I’m sure many others) of what a father and friend should be.
Orson
Whitmer was above all else, my friend. I
had confidence in him to tell me the truth and show me the right way to
go. If I had been blessed with an older
brother, this is the type of man I would want to have setting the standard for
life.
I miss
you Uncle Orson, and hope your reunion with our family is sweet and
fulfilling. When it is my time to leave
mortality, my desire is that you will be there with all those whom I love so
much. Godspeed and keep the faith.
Your
loving nephew,
Mike
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