HYMN TIME

My Uncle Walter passed away this Friday just shy of his ninetieth birthday.  He and his late wife Florence raised seven kids in a very depressing part of Lowell, Massachusetts.  Their home always seemed filled with laughter and love.  I remember someone speaking about my grandfather, to the effect that he raised nine children and every one of them turned out a success; this person figured that this was the highest compliment he could pay.  The same compliment could stand for Uncle Walter.  He had a long and rich life, filled with love and memories.   His obituary mentioned his love of the Red Sox and the Patriots, but I never knew that side of him.   With us, he was always talking about his kids and his grandkids and -- later, the great-grands.  Walter House was one of the best people I have ever known.

So I'm posting this "hymn" in his memory.  From the first time I heard it, this song seemed to encapsulate the uncle Walter I have known and loved.  Make no mistake about it:  in this context, it is a hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dvW5D8w8ZM

Walter is now with his beloved wife and with Mark, a cherished son taken too soon.  R.I.P., Walter -- we are all better off by your time here.