Last week I received a great gift in the mail. My aunt Kiki in Florida sent me my Uncle Gordon’s scrapbook.
My Uncle Gordon passed away some years ago after living to a good old age. He was my Dad’s oldest brother.
I have only seen him a handful of times in my life. He lived far away from us in tiny Wassaic New York (near Kent Connecticut), and then moved to Florida after retirement. I think he was a genius, and I think, that he didn’t think so.
Uncle Gordon was an architectural draftsman and contruction manager for a living, and an artist – a painter for a passion hobby. When he passed away, my Aunt gave me over half of his 110 paintings. Most of them are “cowboys and indians” scenes and painting of the old west. There is one civil war scene that, like many others, really evokes emotion and thought. My Aunt said he would retreat into a flow state for long periods deep into a project, and come out with an amazing piece of work. He was a master.
Well, here comes this scrapbook/journal in the mail. My Aunt Kiki said it was the essence of Gordon, and she just couldn’t part with it before. I eagerly dove in each night, exploring my Uncle’s thoughts and gifts. There were drawings, stories, thoughts, and science. He wrote about World War II, Hitler, the names of each man in the photo at Iwo Jima, photosynthesis, how man is destroying the earth, walks in the woods with his dogs, drew sketches of modern homes and enclosed motorcycles, and how he despised the developers he worked for, for their lack of regard for the environment.
He drew sketches of people that showed their whole life on their faces. He wrote about the sinking of the Bismarck, 9/11, and his softball games, which he played as a senior late into his years. He hit a home run at age 77! It was a look into the man who had painted all the paintings I received some years earlier. I think my uncle was very humble, and I think his skills were greater than he thought they were.
I cherish his work and am honored to be its keeper until I pass it on to the next Janesky one day.
There are so many people out there, playing their hand and being an important part of the tapestry of humanity.
Well done Uncle Gordon. Rest in peace.
AMAZING! SOUNDS LIKE AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING. THANKS FOR SHARING.
I think this is one of the best “Think Daily” messages that I have read. Thank you for sharing.
Amen
Viva Uncle Gordon!
I love things like this! Just by reading what you wrote, I feel I know your uncle a little bit. Please post some of his stories in future TD’s.
That’s beautiful, thanks for sharing.
This is BEAUTIFUL… Thank you for sharing.
Yes, well done Uncle Gordon.
A creative soul who left his mark on others. Good stuff. Thank you for sharing this.
RIP Uncle Gordon
What a beautiful tribute to your Uncle Gordon….an incredible man indeed. Blessings and rest in peace Uncle Gordon.
This post really moved me today. The idea of us all being part of the ‘tapestry of humanity’ is a beautiful way to look at life and legacy. It sounds like your Uncle Gordon added some very vibrant paint to that tapestry. Beautifully written.
What a great tribute !
Larry, what a wonder tribute to your uncle, it is also a reminder that it’s important to create art; written, painted, carved or on film, to hand down to future generations.
It was a privilege to be his sister. He was truly amazing. Thank you Larry for my copy of his journal.
Beautiful!
Godspeed uncle Gordon. I too have history of artwork in my family and have struggled with the thought what to do with it. My uncle David was also a master painter just brilliant work.
Between my sister and I we have over 10,000 pieces. I just think I would like to share it with everybody but don’t quite know how. Maybe just organizing it and passing it on to the next generation? Or maybe more. . .
The images he generated, just like uncle Gordon‘s, should be shared with as many people possible.
As my family’s historian, I thought about this topic, a great deal and I think you’re on the right track with your move for Gordon. Larry, good job.
David Starrett
2015 class of entrepreneurs (wow that’s 10 years of think daily. This is the best one too )