Everybody seems to enjoy talking to my Uncle Sven. I used to wonder what it was about him. It's his attentiveness.

Oh, he's a good talker himself and can be very funny. But he seems to be hanging on every word when you talk. Sven pays strict attention to your story, theory or problem and most people appreciate that.

I mentioned it to Sven recently -- his ability to concentrate on people and things. He laughed. “Oh, that!” he said. “It usta get me in trouble as a boy. Coming home from school I'd get caught up in somethin' -- the clouds, an ant, or watchin' the fish in the brook. It made me late for supper sometimes, and Pop would get mad!”

Sven paused for a minute and smiled. “Not Mom though. She would understand the strong sense of wonder a kid can have.”

Those who appreciate life the most are given the most to appreciate,“ says author Arthur Gordon. ”Life is a marvelous succession of wonders. The important thing is -- you have to be watching for them.“ That's attentiveness.

Like everything else in life that matters, gracious communication doesn't just happen by accident.

It has to be worked on every day. The sweetest and brightest words won't count for much unless there is someone paying attention and responding to them.

How does Uncle Sven respond to people? It's his nod of the head, the chuckle at the right moment and his oft-heard comment, “You betcha!”

Well, of course, one thing about my dear uncle is that he lives alone. Maybe that's why any visitor he has gets his full attention.

He's tickled to see somebody! This reaction of his is plain to see every time he greets me with his, “Hi, Honey Chile!” It always earns him a smile and a hug.

I guess you could say that we're attentive to each other. And this is a very nice state of affairs, especially when you're into your “super years!”

Dorothy Nelson lives and writes in Auburn