Christmas? 2008

Christmas 2008.
This was a different Christmas to say the least. Many things made it different and almost not real to me. I was in a bit of a funk the whole week of Christmas and still not sure if we even had Christmas.
1. When people asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I actually give them a list. The past few years I would tell them I didn't want anything and ask them to donate what they would spend on me to charity. I realized that a couple of days before Christmas after the presents had been bought. I've felt selfish and disappointed in myself ever since. I'll have to work that out with prayer.
2. My Dad passed away in September, so for the first time in my life I didn't see my Dad on Christmas. What a big hole in our day. Dad was the man, the glue, the strength of our family.
3. Christmas was not in Edgerton. In the last 56 years, it's been in Edgerton every time except maybe twice. It's not normal. I'd better get used to it though since Mom moved to Lakeside. She's still the main one we gather to see.
4. This is the really really good part of this different Christmas. Erica announce that she and Steve would be parents!!!! That means Wade will be an Uncle, Diana will become a grandma and I will become a grandpa!
Wade, Erica and Steve were here for about a week. The time went so fast. I hated to let them leave. When they live so far away, when you say good bye, you say good bye for a while. When they leave, you know you won't see them for a couple of months. It seems to get more depressing every time they leave. You want to be a bigger part of their lives, but that's difficult at best.
I think a lot of my feeling this year are part of my mourning for my Dad. I never really said good bye to him. I never knew how to talk to him unless it was business. That's all he ever wanted to talk about. Now I think about my own mortality. I would like to talk to my kids on their own terms, not mine. I just want to love them and help them when they want my help, not when I think they need my help or advice. I'm sure when winter is over I will feel better. Life has been very good to me. I am very thankful!

Edgerton Rotary Picnic, 2008

Saturday August 23, 2008
The Edgerton Rotary Club had there annual picnic today at Dick's cottage at Pleasant Lake. This year was especially fun because we had three families with small children to entertain the rest of us old people. Another thing that made it special is that Denise received her Paul Harris award by Kandace, our current president.
The boat rides, the Segway attempts, the food and the fellowship made this a special day. Thanks to Dick and Fran for hosting it and thanks to the board for planning.
Click on the title above to see more pictures.

Burky Reunion 2008

Hello Friends,
The Burky Reunion happened again and was still fun and worth the 894 mile round trip to Helvetia, West Virginia. We took our 86 year old in-laws and had a nice time at the same time. We are happy for their good health.

We left Edgerton on Friday at 7:45 a.m. and arrived at Helvetia, WV around 6:15 that evening. We spent about two hours in Athens Ohio for lunch and a visit to The Donkey coffee shop. The owners were in Cosigner with our son-in-law while he was at OU. Then of course we had to buy a couple of Ohio University tee shirts.

When we got to Helvetia, we couldn't find anyone we knew, so we went searching for Sandy's house by memory from last year and low and behold, we found it first try. Luckily, we drove our little SUV because I would not have tried to drive a car up the steep and rocky driveway. When we got there the fun was happening and dinner was just about ready. Good timing. Great food, some local home made wine made things nearly perfect. We got back to Grandpa Johns around 11:00 p.m.

Saturday we slept in and the had lunch at Norman's cabin. That afternoon we mostly sat around under the trees and talked about the past and what happened to us this last year. These are wonderful times. Old and not so old communicating and relaxing.

Saturday night we went to the Helvetia town hall for a potluck and local music. See an example in the film clip. We call the banjo player BanJovi. He loves to play and has only been playing around 5 years. He is a kidder, so he gets kidded a lot back. Uncle Vernon, the fiddle player has been playing there for 60 plus years. The other two are newer, but both very good musicians. Food, fun, music, love, respect, and acceptance. West Virginia is almost heaven at least for a few days each year.

Sunday we went to the little wood frame country church and praised God for our good fortune and worshiped with friends and family. I might add I knew all three hymns and enjoyed singing out the base part.

After Church, we went back to Grandpa Johns, packed everything up and went to Alvan's house for another potlock and pictures. After that we headed back northwest towards Ohio.

More later