A Monkey's Uncle

Last night Uncle Dave came for dinner. He was in town on business and we had the pleasure of hosting him for a couple of hours. I’ve loved uncle Dave ever since he married my aunt Lori when I was 5 or so. He’s a fun uncle who used to give ‘hot kisses’ on my back until I was sure my shirt would catch fire. He’s M’unkey Dave and ‘the wrestling guy.’ He is a tech-gadget guru; the first in the family to have a camcorder, and ever since, dubbed the official family videographer. He’s boat captain, involved dad, devoted husband, never-without-his-phone-and-laptop Dave.

The thing is, I never realized all the stuff I didn’t know about my uncle Dave until we had him, one-on-one, at our dinner table. I never knew how much family history he has in Colorado. I had never heard the story of his suffocating car ride to Utah because of his two sisters’ and their new perfume. I have vague memories of him doing Indian tribal dancing at family parties, but had never gotten the full scoop on that high-school hobby, until yesterday. I loved listening the updates of his kids' lives, as only a dad can give them.

My dad’s family, of which Dave is a part (by marriage), is close. We’ve always had lots of family functions, trips to Bear Lake, and loads of relatives at blessings and baptisms. I love it. But, being the large LDS clan that we are, we tend to come in herds. And, we are LOUD. And, I guess I didn’t realize all the info I’ve missed out on because of the craziness of the large group. It makes me want to have all my aunts, uncles and cousins over for dinner, one at a time.

So, when can you come?