My Uncle Harry is 81 years old this year. He is vital and funny and very technically oriented. He had a great life as a software and hardware engineer in computers. We spent 40 years not being able to find each other, but found each other during Covid. He helped me repair my truck. Every year, we try to get together for a couple days.
Yesterday, my uncle took me on a ride on the incline railway. This thing is a mile long and climbs out of pretty much vertical rate up to the top of Lookout Mountain. It was a thrilling experience that I never wish to repeat.
Today, he took me to the Tennessee Aquarium where we decided that our favorite fish was something called the Paddlefish. You have to look at the picture on this page to really understand the meaning of this name!
Paddlefish are designed with highly specialized, electro receptors, covering their large Rostrom or paddle. These receptors allow them to detect, navigate and feed on microscopic zooplankton in murky, muddy water, showing a sophisticated design for survival. They have survived for millions of years in this form and indeed look prehistoric. They are a great source of caviar and food. They live in Tennessee rivers.
Imagine having the ability to detect tiny microscopic animal life in murky water!
This is how I know he is my uncle on my father’s side. We are fascinated with all things and what makes them work. What was really important to me about this time together was not feeling guilty over the enormous sum of money being spent on me, but the joy and camaraderie of connecting with family, connected to a long line of people (ancestors) and immediate family.