My uncle is 89 and my aunt is a bit younger. They live in a small town in Iowa in the house they built before I was born. Last week they drove to Dayton, Ohio, in one day, for my uncle’s World War II Bomber Group reunion. We haven’t heard many of his stories, but I do know his plane was hit one time and his friend died and Uncle Phil got the plane back to their base. He doesn’t like to fly anymore.
They are driving today from Dayton to our house in North Carolina, again in one day. Aunt Nadine tells me they trade off driving every 100 miles. I try not to think about it when I know they are on the interstate.
Their house always felt more like home to me than any place my family lived (we moved every few years). We spent Christmas and a week in the summer in Iowa all through my childhood. All my grandparents were there and my aunts and uncles and cousins.
Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil’s house was always fun. My parents were rarely silly or funny at home. They were at Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil’s. My uncle played the Boy Scout march on the piano and my dad used my cousin’s drum major baton to lead us in a parade all through the house. Once he led us through the bathroom while Grandma was in there. We all laughed so hard we cried. Nobody drank too much there. I think that made a difference.
Uncle Phil was a chiropractor. They were taking vitamins and eating fresh food when the rest of us were excited by Kraft macaroni and cheese in the blue box. I remember being fascinated by a honeycomb in a jar of honey on the kitchen table.
I read recently that faith is formed out of great love and great suffering. Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil have experienced fear and worry and grief. And their love for each other is (still!) obvious. They are Quakers and they have a strong and quiet faith. They know how to enjoy life. They carry an aura of peace.
Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil are my role models for how God wants us all to live.
Please pray for them. Later this week, they’ll drive from NC to Iowa, in two days. I do worry when they’re on the interstate.
Amma Ponders 
oooooooooooooo they’re MY role models, too! prayers abound and surround.
You would love them, Lisa, and they would love you.
Robin,
I enjoy reading your blogs. They are always insightful. Safe travels to Aunt Nadine and Uncle Phil. We will be traveling to Iowa soon for a half marathon in Des Moines.
Good luck in the race. Iowa people are great!
Reading this, the descriptions of the people, creates such vivid pictures in my mind! I hope that one day I can live my life in the style that your aunt and uncle model.
They are special, for sure. And they did make it here safely.