Finding Uri is a book that takes the author on a journey to find out who his father “really” was, and in so doing, shares the love story of a young couple whose unfailing love and idealistic view of life touches the reader in a profound and meaningful way.  The unspoiled and pure devotion contained in the love letters from young Betsy Munro, and her husband Uri are not just touching, but moving. The reader is drawn into this genuine partnership in a way that is inescapable. Knowing the ultimate fate of the loving couple, separated by the calling to serve during World War Two, makes reading their correspondence just that much harder. There were several moments when I simply just had to stop and stare at the ceiling in moments of angst and despair, regarding the heartbreaking thought that the deep desires of this young couple would never come to pass. This fact, along with the reality that their three year old son would also have to endure this tragedy makes this story emotionally difficult to process.

  Finding Uri is essentially two books in one. The author sets out to find the father he never knew and in the process shares his own story and who it is he has become over the past 62 years. Some have complained that the book should not have veered off of the story line regarding Betsy and Uri, by including information about this young three year old and who he has become over the past six decades. In a very direct way, Sandy is an intrinsic part of the story. He is mentioned in the letters, and was deeply loved and enjoyed by each of his parents. Because Sandy has been my friend for many years, I personally enjoyed learning about things regarding his life which I may never have known otherwise. In any case, it is a small matter, and one that ultimately does not detract from the impact this story has upon those who enter it.

  The lasting impact this book will have upon each reader may differ, but most certainly a recurring theme for each of us that has read this story will be the sad and tragic loss of love incurred by the young Betsy Munro and her Uri. Married for just under four years, this young man and woman encompass all that is good in a loving relationship, and it is through the devoted writing of their son that we have the chance to view their “togetherness” and understand anew what it means to be truly devoted to another person. The story is timeless because the lesson is timeless. As the Bible tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  Indeed it is.

-Kevin Ingalls

Posted by: Kevin Ingalls on 4/19/2012 at 8:45 pm