You tend to not talk much about the nicest people you know. You just talk about the people that are eccentric enough to be a good conversation topic. I didn’t understand this until my uncle passed away couple of weeks ago. He was one of the nicest man I have ever known and when he died I realized that I hadn’t told many people about him. I always looked forward to visiting him when I went home to Iceland. He was a good man that I will miss!

I recently read an article that struck a chord with me. It talks about how each time you move you leave a part of yourself behind. I did indeed do that when I left Iceland 16 years ago. I regularly make brief guest appearances in that old life of mine but when I leave again big parts of that life gets stashed away in a quiet corner in my brain only for me to see. Sadly a nice uncle isn’t an exciting conversation topic and hence I have only told few people about him.

He lived upstairs when I was a kid with his sister and his mom until she passed away. They had their own kitchen but the rest was shared (entrance, bathroom, TV etc.) I used to visit them upstairs all the time. He used to read for me and listened to me talk about all the strange things I was interested in no matter how boring they must have been for him to listen to. I got to eat cubed sugar and sit with them at their tiny little kitchen table when they had their afternoon coffee.

He did a lot for me. My parents didn’t have a car and as we lived on a farm I was pretty dependent on having someone drive me places if I wanted to join anything other than school. So my uncle would drive me and pick me up on his light green Lada Sport. Without this my life would have been significantly emptier of experiences. I regret never thanking him for all of this.

I remember him enjoying two things. Cars and music. He helped me with my car when I was old enough to own one. I played instruments when I was younger and when I got an organ to play on at home he would come downstairs and play all the songs he knew by heart. He had an old white/yellow accordion which he let me try. It was huge and heavy and I was never really able to play it but I remember wanting to try because I looked up to him. I enjoyed these times we spent together.

He was a patient man and would let me and my sisters hang out with him a lot. I never remember him being impatient. I think he would have been a great dad but unfortunately he never had any children. He didn’t find anyone until late in his life but I am glad he at least got to share the last years of his life with someone. The last few years of his life were sad. He got a stroke and had to spent the last years in an institution. The last few visits there were a bit difficult but being the man he used to be I still always looked forward seeing him even if he barely recognised me.

Now I have told you about Sæmundur. No intrigues or exciting details but he was a good man and that is really what matters. I think we should all be better at not only talking about the people in our life that make an interesting story but also the people that are just genuinely good people. One day it will be too late.

As my uncle was a real gentleman I find it fitting to show the little gentleman clothes I made for my son. I think it is sad he never gets to meet his great uncle. My daughter did and while she might not remember it I at least have photos of her with him. I just hope my son will grow up to be a gentleman like Sæmundur.

This suit is a linen suit made after the Emil and Anton Ottobre pattern from 1/2014 in size 74. It is not lined so a relatively easy pattern. Just be aware that the upper and lower part of the pants are of equal length. I found out after I had managed to sew one of them upside down. The straps are also a bit short so I would lengthen those a little bit. The linen is Kaufman Brussels Washer Linen Blend Espresso. The shirt is just a store bought one.

The gentleman

Exciting ceiling

The vest

The pants