This is me and my dear uncle Hanzel! He was one the most Godly men, I’ve ever seen! He had the biggest heart and an ability to love people unconditionally! When few showed up in my world as child, due to the level of dysfunction in our home, he made a conscious effort to visit on a regular basis! Several times a year, he’d drive through and spend a night or two in our home, while visiting he spent time with us, loved on us, and always took us to get doughnuts! He never had a single selfish bone in his body! When he was around, we all knew we were loved! He’s made a huge impact on my life, helped me to see good in the world, and helped me to love the unloveable! In addition, inadvertently he showed me that life had so much more to offer than the addiction, dysfunction, and rampant generational bondage from my childhood! I thank God for the blessing of my sweet uncle and the eternal sized blessings he has shed on my life since the day I was born! He always loved me like a daughter, sat me on his lap, hugged me, and spent time talking to me. He saw me! This was a rare occurrence for me growing up and the influence it’s had on my life is profound! He has been with the Lord 7 years this November and his presence on this Earth is still so dearly missed. What a comfort it is to know I will see his kind eyes, hear his deep southern voice, and be able to hug his tall gentle frame in Heaven one day! Until then, his life lives on in my heart and the hearts of so many he’s touched on this Earth! The grieving process has gotten easier, but the missing is still very much alive! I hope God can give messages in Heaven, because this is a message I wish I would have shared with him more during his time on Earth! Friends, don’t ever take for granted the impact of loving those in need! You never know the positive influence you may have in another person’s life!

Psalm 34:18-19 “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from

Them all.”

Blessings, Crystal