19 Comments
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Joel Hade's avatar

Another great piece, Rekha. Thank you. America could use many more Uncle Pats!

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Chris Henning's avatar

Thank you Rehka for sharing your Uncle Pat. He sounds like someone our community of writers would love to know! ❤️‍🩹

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Joyce Rudowski's avatar

Our trip to India included a visit to a temple, a Gurudwara. I will never forget sitting on the floor in silence as worshipers came and went offering prayers at the altar. It was one of the most holy experiences I've had. The sense of goodness, care and reverence was palpable. I can imagine your uncle is such a place giving blessings and sharing peace and joy.

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jean's avatar

Loved this insight to this faith community. We would be enriched by more Uncle Pat's.

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Thank you for telling us about Uncle Pat. He was a remarkable man. We all should have an Uncle Pat in our lives to guide us.

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Wini Moranville's avatar

My first read of the morning...a great way to start the day. Thanks!

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Rekha Basu's avatar

I’m honored, Wini! Thank you.

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Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Love this beautiful tribute! And larger point.

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Rekha Basu's avatar

Thanks Suzanna!

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Blue Thoughts From a Red State's avatar

Wonderful story about a lovely person, who clearly knew the importance how to live one’s life. Thank you, for sharing your memories and his positive impact on others, in such a personal way.

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Rekha Basu's avatar

Thanks for being interested!

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Dianne Prichard's avatar

If your life were a food, it would be a truffle.

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Rekha Basu's avatar

I love this, Dianne! A truffle mushroom or chocolate truffle?

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Dianne Prichard's avatar

Both, of course!

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Nadene Eller's avatar

A lovely tribute to your Uncle Pat. I’m sure he was/would be so proud of you and your sister for carrying his legacy.

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Rekha Basu's avatar

Thank you, Nadene.

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John Schmidt's avatar

Thanks for sharing this story. Your uncle left a great legacy.

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Kevin D Schultz's avatar

Could it be that love, truth, empathy and honesty are truly universal? But to answer the question posed in the headline... No, he would have not been welcomed into the country. As past events have illustrated, it would not be a stretch to portray the encounter as thus: He would have been detained in solitary confinement for 12 days and then unceremoniously hustled onto a flight back to India (with no due process) with the justification that he was one of dem der uppity radical agitators.

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Rekha Basu's avatar

Kevin, I believe you’re right in the first sentence and I fear you’re right in the last as well.

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