What is it that we all have ? A favorite relative or friend. My favorite relative passed away some 20 years or so ago. But to this day My Great Uncle Roy remains strong in my mind.

My great uncle Roy had seen it all. Growing up as a farm boy in North Dakota he had made his way out to the Pacific NW in rural Washington State some 20 minutes or so by car from Portland. Roy had seen the Spanish American war where he had commanded Cannon Fire. He had taught school in a one room school house and was the only college educated person in our entire family for generations.

During the Great depression Uncle Roy would load up the Truck with Milk from his cows and drive out to Gresham Oregon a suburb of Portland and trade Milk for Strawberries. Closer into town he would trade Strawberries and milk for fresh vegetables. By the time he made his way to the farmers market in downtown Portland he would have a variety of items to sell and or barter with before making his way back home.

My uncle Roy lived alone on his 45 acres having lost his only true love early in life and never married again. The little one story loggers shack where my Uncle Roy lived was filled with memorabilia. Newspaper articles and old photo’s adorned the walls as much for there insulation as they were for the memories they held.

My Great Uncles home was also the gathering place for our families 4th of July picnic and family reunion. It was a time for us all to gather and catch up on where we were all at. It was also a great time as a small child to sit back and listen to all of the great stories that my Uncle would tell. It was like magic. Better than a picture show.

My Great Uncle was all so a very practical man. He always had a way with words and could reduce it right down to its essence in a few short words. I Am sure you as well have a favorite friend or relative, Don’t You ?

I am sure there memories bring a smile to your face just as they do to mine when I think about MY GREAT UNCLE ROY .

One of the wonders of life is living through challenging times. In my own life the times of plenty and success have gone by like a blurr. Each and every year of prosperity virtually indistinguishable from one another.

Yet I can remember the years of hardships and adversity as if they were yesterday. Even in family gatherings more often than not those trying times will make for more reminiscence than the trips abroad.

The current troubling times of our country will make you stronger and closer to those who you know and love. The trials and tribulations that you go through yesterday, today, and tomorrow will be fodder for future reminisces at your family gatherings.

As I look back over my own trials of the past, even in those darkest days there was always something that stood out as an achievement. A sort of badge or courage in the dimmest of light.

Like back in 1986 when the unemployment rate in my small town became so severe that people were unable to pay there bills. I owned a metal fabrication shop at the time and a client who could not pay had to much pride to skip out. He paid his bill with a winters worth of firewood, a mini motor bike for my 10 year old son, and small aluminum fishing boat with a 7hp outboard motor that my wife and I enjoyed for many summers at the lake.

In the bleakest of times there are always opportunities. In years to come will you look back and say we bought our home in 2009? Let this be your year of opportunity. Create a memory today.

Yesterday I had just one of many memorable momentsas I passed the keys to a Young Fellow to his new home. Of course this home was built in 1908 but it was new to him and all his. I could see the pride of new ownership and promise in his eyes. I wish for all of you that same feeling.

To check out other Homes_Sold_by_Herb_Hamilton_in_Portland_Oregon  please take a look at this really cool map. Zoom in or change the view . House_hunt_Portland where your next home will find you! 

Have a wonderful and prosperous memory filled 2009.