Sunday, June 20

Our first Father's Day without Dad. We prepared for the day by scheduling events together...had grilled steak at Doug's last night with sides provided by Kris & myself. And today we met at J's Pizza for a late noon meal...Keith, Kris, Paul, Cathy, Lukas, Halle, Mom & myself. (Austin spent the major part of the day with his "Papa", Hal. Doug was at this parents' for dinner, and came late.) We concluded our meal with a toast to Dad. Bittersweet.

Mom came to church this morning and sat in the same pew she & Dad sat in for years. After my part in the service was over, I came down & sat with her.

Boy...everything is weird without Dad.

Another week starts tomorrow (the two week mark), and it's also the beginning of summer...the longest day of the year. Storms have been rumbling across this part of the country...lots of rumbling...and rain...lots of rain. More coming this night, too. Ah, me!

We do not lose the ones we love,

They only go before.

Where there is everlasting life,

And darkness is no more.

There the soul will always live,

And peace is everywhere.

We do not lose the ones we love.

God takes them in His care.

~Unknown~

Friday, June 18

Yeah! Now my niece is a blogger, too! I told her this is therapeutic...hope she enjoys it. I'll be watching!
Friday...couldn't have gotten here too soon for me this week. I managed to make it through (with some lousy sleep at night) and am glad the weekend is here. We are planning on some get-togethers for Saturday night and maybe Sunday noon. Trying to get through this Father's Day holiday will be difficult.
Doug is planning on grilling steaks tomorrow night for Keith, Kris, Mom & myself. Then Sunday, I think we have dinner over at Keith's...Paul is serving at mass in the morning (in Omaha, I think) so the time is questionable. I'm hoping Cathy gets to spend some time with her Dad that day, too.
We continue to receive mail of sympathy cards & memorial gifts. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends! And to know that Dad made such an impression on peoples' lives...it is awesome for us!
Thank you everyone!

Thursday, June 17

This is a picture of my kids with Mike & Lukas after Dad's Memorial Service. Cutie patooties, huh?

Anyway, after work tonight, I helped Mom finish...yes, finish...the thank you notes for all our friends! Yeah! And whew!

Then, I brought her over here to my house, where we had a cold meat sandwich for supper with some ice tea. I got on this web site and let her read the entire blog...she, having been Dad's caretaker, had not been able to read what I'd been writing.

We got together our lawn chairs, and then took off for Austin's city league game. (I know...it DOES seem like Austin has games every night, doesn't it?) We sat with Cathy, Mike & Lukas, and Marcelene. The wind was blowing strong, and we were in the shade, so we didn't feel the heat so bad.

It's nice that we have some things to go to, so she can get out of the house. Not sure what tomorrow will bring.

Love to all!

Wednesday, June 16

I got my car back today...the bank is helping me out a little bit here! And then went to Austin's baseball game with Cathy & her family. The sun was behind clouds, so the weather was nice & breezy.
After getting back home, I went over to Mom's and helped out with the thank you's. She had made a BIG dent in the list, and I was able to help whittle it down to maybe a dozen left for tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the memorial gifts, the yummy foods, and the beautiful flowers. With the memorial money we hope to be able to designate it for a large project in the church, or a needed repair, or upkeep in some way. Dad loved that building. We still see his fingerprints everywhere on it!

Tuesday, June 15

Here is Keith, Emily, Mom, and I after the Memorial Service last Saturday morning. Oh, my goodness...does that shirt make me look FAT!

Today, I found out that the fuel pump went out on my car...thank you, Keith, for all the legwork, phone work, and time you spent down at Champ's checking on the car for me! You are a God-send!

So, I may be in the cheese line before the end of the month...but at least the car will be working! And, of course...there's my scooter!

Monday, June 14

Sunday, June 13

The Celebration of Life service was both meaningful and respectful. The National Guard presentation of the American flag to Mom was moving...I can't even describe it. Paul spoke with heartfelt emotion, bringing us a picture of Dad as a grandpa that was tender and humorous at the same time. He evoked scripture & reference to saints, and composed a picture of words to describe heaven with Grandpa in it.
Keith was also spot on, and tugged at my heart. I could not have done it...he was amazing, too. Micky recited the poem Emily had written for Dad on Father's Day.
And Pastor Andy spoke of Dad as the Lord's servant...just as I always envisioned.
ALL THE GRANDCHILDREN were there! The family took up half the pews on the west side. What a sight we must have made coming down the aisle.
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Brandon left around 2:00 for the KC airport. So, he missed a family birthday party for Halle who turned 14 last Thursday. Cathy's house was busting at the seams! And today, I drove Kevin to the KC airport to catch his flight. Mom said she had a small Walmart list, as did I, so I brought her with us. We planned on stopping at Maryville on the way home, but my car suddenly stopped, and I do mean STOPPED, about 17 miles south of Maryville!
Doug's daughter Amber & her guy Ethan were in Maryville for a movie, so they drove down to check on the engine. (Ethan is a very handy farmer, who knows his stuff!) And then Keith came down, too, bringing Keith III with him. They pushed the car to the side of the road, Doug called Snyder's for a tow, and we left it sitting there.
Keith took us on to Walmart, and then brought us home. I'm afraid Mom will never ride with me again! (She also mentioned she wished we'd brought her car!)
Anyway, Doug & I took a ride on the Harley and saw that it was indeed back in Clarinda.
I must add at this point that Doug had an equally bad day. His Tahoe is broke down, so he drove the pickup to the Dollar General. In the parking lot it caught fire, they called 911, and the fire department came to the rescue!
Now, we are both "vehicle-less"!
More on that later.....................