Destination: Celebrate the life of Carl Enersen

Uncle Carl and his favorite girls, Nicole and Kristen (me)

 Hey Carl, I got a good one for you . . .

There was this Norwegian that walked into our life in 1959.  He lit it up with his smile and his jokes.  He and his schizophrenia opened our hearts and minds to “different.” 

He loved his mom like nothing else in this world; with the respect and dedication that sons were long ago taught, that few today demonstrate. 

He was everybody’s best friend; the kind of friend that never left you stranded, never left you lonely, never failed to show you graciousness.

He periodically blessed us with his presence and quite often under-stayed his welcome, but always departed with gratitude and love.

Fifty-four years later, once again, this handsome Norwegian under-stayed his welcome.  Cancer ravished his body, but his spirit never dimmed. 

The punch line to this one is that while much of the world shoves “different” into a corner because it makes them uncomfortable, my Uncle Carl’s light shone so bright it lit up all of those corners. 

 His shining example lives on in all of his family and friends.  One could not see that light and fail to share it.  One could not see that light and ever again contemplate shoving “different” into a corner.

The beautiful box that his brother (my dad) made for him.

. . .  Uncle Carl, you will be always missed and I will be always grateful that you were in my life.  

Destination:  Eau Claire, WI

Odometer:  4,643