#24: Take a Shot with my Uncle

Most childhood heroes tend to fall from grace as we grow up. You find out Santa Claus is more of a spirit than an actual man, not all policemen are good, and even Michael Jordan has a gambling problem. As we move further along into adulthood we lose the innocence and naivety through which we once viewed the world, and we begin to realize that few people can live up to the pedestal we’ve placed them on. But if we’re very lucky (or perhaps still a bit naïve) we can keep just one of those heroes alive.

Growing up, I idolized my Uncle Karl. He was a big kid himself, my own personal walking, talking jungle gym. After visits to his house my “What I did Over Summer Vacation” essays were filled with tales of learning to ride a horse, drive a tractor, fly an airplane, and throw a punch. My Uncle instilled his love of the beach in me, and taught me how to dive under the waves to avoid getting caught in the breaking point. He also taught me how to drive a stick shift at the age of 15, a practical skill I will forever be thankful for. From watching him, I learned the importance of being able to relax, kick back, open a cold one, and simply soak up a day.

More than a teacher, Uncle Karl has been an inspiration too. His life has been far from easy, but rather than complain he found a way to commit to the things he loves and embrace all the moments along the way. As a younger man he taught himself how to play the guitar and joined a band. Later he decided to try Karate and became a black belt. To take it further, he built his own dojo and became a sensei, teaching martial arts to kids. At some point he thought he’d like to fly a plane and rather than simply taking a lesson, he got his pilot’s license. He just doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘halfway’, with him it’s all or nothing. Once he makes up his mind, he is unwavering in his commitment towards his goal, something I have yet to master. In contrast, I feel like I am someone who starts several things, but finishes few; and it’s something I am continuing to work on (and a lot of what this blog is about). My Uncle Karl has unknowingly helped to motivate me in this pursuit.

When making this list I purposely left several of the objectives vague. I wanted to make sure I left enough room in the goals so that I would be able to achieve them all, no matter what came up over the next few months. For that reason, you’ll see open-ended items like “build something” on the list. I didn’t include any particular friends, family members or details, save one. “Take a shot with my Uncle” was put on the list to celebrate our relationship, and all the lessons he’s taught me… and you should never turn down a drink with a role model.

8 down; 22 to go