Uncle Melvin

This is a photo of Melvin Boyd Atkinson (Erline's younger brother), taken about 1942. Melvin died in an automobile accident in Fort Ord, California, on June 7th of that year. The following poem (written by his mother) likely refers to Melvin:

Heaven's Alchemy When in my garden of Gethsemane The sun was darkened and my song was stilled. My heart was bleeding, for a part of me-- The boy I birthed and reared with love--was killed. While spheres were clashing, Heaven's mighty power Rebuilt my shattered kingdom when I said, "Thy will be done." The moment--magic hour! Restoring my torn soul. Upon my head I felt a crown of peace I had not known. The veil was thinned ... The Master at the helm Let me behold my living son, His Own, And see the beauty of His glorious realm, Its kingdoms reaching far as thought can look-- Mortality but prefaces God's book.