IN MEMORY OF MY UNCLE DWIGHT I have so many fond memories. They include happy times our family spent with Uncle Dwight, Aunt Edna May, and our cousins Patty, Nancy, and Cindy. Our families lived a full day drive apart so we would stay overnight when we would visit. As a child having been raised in town, these visits allowed me to see what a day in the life of a real farmer was like. My memories of Dwight include the first time I ever saw anyone hand-churn homemade ice cream. I was 5 yo. Dwight let me take turns to help turn the handle, add the ice and salt, and check the progress. It fascinated me and he took the time to patiently explain what he was doing at each step and why. After it was ready, it was of course the best ice cream I'd ever tasted! He also let me tag along with him into the barn to see the cows. Dwight was so gentle and understanding of my awe with being so close to such a large animal. I always remember feeling slightly scared, so very excited, yet completely safe when he let me touch one through the boards of the stall. My fondest memory of Dwight would have to be of his gentle understanding. During one of our visits again as a small child, I made friends with a small kitten born in Dwight's barn. It was a cold time of year and the kitten adopted me as someone willing to snuggle and keep warm with. After spending so much time with the kitten, it would come running at the first sight of me to get warm. I had made a friend! Uncle Dwight offered the kitten to me to call my own, but to the relief of my parents, he reminded me the kitten might want to continue living on the farm so as not to miss his brothers and sisters still living in the barn. Now as an adult looking back at that wonderful offer to a child, I see Dwight for the kind heart he had. With these memories and experiences, among so many more, I realize that my life is so much richer for having known him. I will miss him and celebrate his life. Gordon Brown