Coming up with a tribute to someone who means a lot to you, how might one do that? I guess it depends on your talents. If you’re musical, like Jon, perhaps you could write a song or perform a cover of a song that is meaningful to that relationship. If you have adorable children, like Clifton, perhaps you could get away with having them do something cute. If you’re me, you could either do 70 pullups for each year this special person has graced the planet, or you could stay inside and write down some of your favorite memories. I think I’ll share some memories.

There are many places to start, but I think I’ll start with what is more of a confession than a story. I can’t remember exactly how old I was, probably around 6 or 7, when a package showed up out of the blue with Jon and my names on it. The return address was Uncle Roger. Inside were two brand new Swiss Army knives. After the initial safety brief by my dad, I remember wandering around outside carving sticks, throwing it at trees to see if I could get it to stick into them. I also remember having it open in the living room doing who knows what with it when I tragically cut my finger. I remember using the underside of the couch cushions to stop the blood. Pretty much the biggest rule my dad emphasized about this knife was not cutting myself. However, this was still the same day the package arrived. Jon was probably at a more suitable age for owning a knife, but none-the-less I will always remember that Swiss Army knife as my first knife thanks to Uncle Roger. The Swiss Army knife that I carry today still reminds me of Uncle Roger and that first knife.

Another early memory was one of my winter stays with Aunt Chris and Uncle Roger. I’m not sure if it was an unusually large snowfall or that’s just how it seemed to a young kid, but it was the ideal snow for some sledding. Lucky for me Uncle Roger took me to the stairs, all 100 or so, that lead down to the river. I remember flying down the stairs over and over each time compacting the snow more to make the ride a little faster than the one before. It was on one of those fast rides that I came barreling at Uncle Roger a little faster than he expected. He did a quick jumping jack and with his legs still, apart he reached in between his legs just in time to reach the last bit of fabric on my puffy winter coat before I took a joy ride down the remaining stairs and likely into the tree at the bottom of the hill.

When I was a little older Aunt Chris and Uncle Roger took Jon and me on a trip to Chicago. I can’t remember exactly what year it was but I think it was 2005 or 2006. In any case, the iPhone had not yet been released. Uncle Roger was rocking, the now vintage, Palm Pilot Treo. Not sure why he would let a 10-year-old play with it as much as he did, but he did. He let me try all sorts of modifications and new applications (the days before they were simply known as apps). By the end of the trip, his phone could play YouTube before YouTube had even developed and app and it could also stream live TV. The only problem was the calendar and phone no longer worked…

My last memory is of Clifton, Jon, Uncle Roger, and me playing golf in Caseville. I can’t remember my age, but I wasn’t interested enough to do anything other than putt when we were on the green. So, there I was sitting in the cart watching while Uncle Roger patiently gave some sage wisdom to Clifton about teeing off. Jon, the golf prodigy that he was, had already driven the ball down the fairway. I was half paying attention until I heard them yell “FORE!” and at that moment a ball Clifton had somehow hit backward went whizzing past the cart I was sitting in.

I could have done 70 pullups and called it good, but I don’t think that really would have told the full story of my appreciation and love for Uncle Roger. Honestly, there are probably 70 more stories that might get me closer. Reminiscing on those stories and thinking over the 23 years I have known Uncle Roger during his 70-year life so far has filled me with nothing but happy memories. I can confidently say I wouldn’t be quite the adventurous, independent, and happy positive man that I am today if it wasn’t for my Uncle Roger’s encouragement and time spent with me. We’ve had so many good memories together and I look forward too many more. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, it looks like this birthday won’t be spent with the whole family, but my hope is that it is still a memorable one. Love you Uncle Roger and happy birthday!