The Name Albert

Choosing a middle name for Victor was a lengthy decision. For months, Ben and I had been talking about options, and we were generally narrowed down to two favorites... but it was over a day after Victor was born before we really landed.

Albert.



My mom's dad was Albert Vaupel. He was a farmer (raising corn and soybeans and beef cattle) with hard, leather-like hands and a tender heart. Growing up, I loved visiting my grandparents' farm--climbing the hay bales, playing with the kittens (if we could catch them), and helping Grandpa with chores.

Grandpa had a bald head and round face that broke easily into a smile. I picture him in well-worn overalls with a cap on his head (so it wouldn't get sunburned). He was a hard worker--up in the morning at an unimaginably early hour to start chores, and busy all day until he sat down in the recliner after supper and nodded to sleep with Wheel of Fortune playing in the background.



He slathered his bread with butter and dunked his cinnamon rolls in his coffee and saved all the scraps from the meal to feed the many untamed cats who patrolled his barns for mice.

He could make friends with anyone. For being a pretty soft-spoken man, he loved meeting people--at the roller skating rink or on mystery trips sponsored by the bank. He wore a pressed, button-down shirt to church and trusted Jesus with his whole heart.



He was married to Grandma for 63 years when he died in 2006. They still held hands when they walked together down the gravel road near the farm.

Humble. Diligent. Kind. Generous. Patient. Hard-working. Happy.

Victor Albert, your great-grandpa was a special man. I pray you grow to be like him in character and follow his God with all your heart.