The lovely Miss Ella - Sweet 16 today!

I scrolled through my trove of photos and selected 16 - mostly because I thought they reflected our own Miss Ella Sophia. 

Ella is a delight to know and love.  And she's a lot of fun to work with, shop with, play games with, watch movies with, hang out with, go to church with, go to the beach with, go out to eat with, sew with, talk with, travel with - I've never not enjoyed any time I spend with Ella!

She's the best and we love her dearly!

Happy day to you - and all year through!!

Saying good-bye

Received word this morning that my cousin Paula, daughter of my Uncle Paul, died after a courageous battle with cancer.  She is shown here with her brother Craig and his wife.  Paula is in the dark top.

 

She is shown here with her younger sister Kim in the blue, and her older sister Pam, in the flowered top.

 

All these photos are from a Clayton reunion, but I'm not sure which one - I'm thinking maybe 2007, but I could be wrong.

There are some ironies here - at least to me.  We were never close to our cousins, on either side of the family.  There are lots of reasons given for the lack of closeness, but I suspect it had to do with many factors.  For one, we had a very large family and didn't often have a car that fit all of us.  For another, we had a large family in a small house - for several years anyway - and I think family members felt like they were imposing if they came.  I also suspect no one really wanted to invite a crowd like us over for dinner or anything.  My grandparents usually came to visit us!

Uncle Paul came to the reunions until his death almost 10 years ago.  These photos are from the one year his kids did come, and so we mostly saw them at "events" like wedding receptions, funerals, and anniversary parties.  When we did see one another, we were certainly friendly and cordial, but we didn't have a whole lot in common.

About 2 years ago, Paula began responding with comments when I posted old Clayton family photos.  This correspondence grew, and I sent her old photos, cards, and letters.  She shared her cancer story - 2 years ago they said she was terminal, so she did gain some dearly appreciated time.  She was able to see her son married, witness the birth of some grandchildren, and spend time with her family and husband.  I am really grateful that I was able to re-connect in this way with her.

This morning I saw a post that seemed to imply that Paula had passed away.  It wasn't like a direct announcement, and if you hadn't read through it, you might not perceive that she had died.  So I called her sister Kim, whom I actually know better because she used to live in SoCal, and asked her.  Kim told me that they had known that Paula was not doing well, and in fact had been in a coma, but she hadn't been notified by anyone of her death.  Then Kim's daughter called her and pointed out the FB post to her - so they took it down until all were notified.

(I recall when Ry Nebeker died, I didn't want to post anything until the family officially announced his death.  I think that's important to keep in mind when you want to rush to put something on FB - be sure you're are not being premature in your endeavors.)

I had tried to figure out several times how to stop by to see Paula - perhaps on a drive up to Oregon - she lived in Northern California - but it never worked out - we kept flying up there.  I just didn't think of it the year Harry and I had our "road trip" to Oregon either.  So I am sorry that I hadn't seen her in awhile.

But I am certainly grateful that I was able to maintain a meaningful correspondence with her at the end of her life.  Time is so precious - we truly don't know how much of it we have.

Wrapping it up - at least until the next event!

September is a busy month - and it's not even over yet!!  Started with celebrating Grandma Helen's 99th birthday!

 

And of course, that means Eve had a birthday too - her 12th!! She had celebrated with her friends a week earlier.

 

Next came the 4th annual Terrill's Ice Cream Social - always a big hit!

 

Grandpa got in the act too!

 

Then it was time for Harry's birthday - always fun to celebrate with cake!!

 

Sadly, all of these events coincided with the death of our dear friend Ry Nebeker.  Harry and I went to Oregon for the service.  This cemetery is in a state park in Warrenton - and this is where Ry's parents are buried also.

 

Jim and Helen Heder came for the services also - it was so good to see Sarah - and to feel all the love that everyone was sharing.  We set off paper lanterns that were carrying paraffin candles - over the ocean.  As they drifted away it looked like beautiful constellations.

 

All three of Ry's children spoke movingly about their dad - and Israel shared a song he had written.  The service was beautiful - it personified Ry perfectly.  So glad that Bonny and Phoebe could come.

Ry's two brothers came - spoke together - it was superb - Ry probably wished he could join them!  You can see the family resemblance I am sure!!

 

Managed to squeeze in a nice long birthday weekend with Eve - we shopped, ate, had our nails done, played games with Grandpa, baked apple dumplings - and got in a little car accident!! Yikes!!  Eve also got her homework and her practicing done!

 

So fun to see Erika, Felipe, and family.

 

As Erika reported, we dined al fresco and had lots of fun and good conversation.

 

I think they inspired Harry and Dawn - who took their kids after school the next day to Disneyland!  (also, it was Marjorie's birthday - Dawn felt she needed to be at the happiest place on earth to get through the day - and I'm pretty sure Marjorie approved!)

 

Then we had Dawn's first official pack meeting since she was called as Den Leader - she's a natural for the job - she's got those boys whipped into shape already!!

 

Other events have occurred, but I've reported them on my blog - tonight some of my current and former colleagues from Clifton had a little dinner party in my honor.  I don't miss the stress of teaching - but I do miss my good friends!

September is not over - but there aren't any big events coming up - of course, then we have October - another chock-filled month!!

Stay tuned!

Fun in Philly!

After a week in VA, Eliza, Ida, and I took a "road trip" to Philly to see Hannah, Robbie, and Rhoda.  Philly is a great city - at least the parts we saw!  Lots of parks and statues and the weather was not too hot and not too humid - we were grateful.  Eliza and Ida stayed the weekend, and Harry flew in from LA - and then drove back to VA with Eliza and Ida to spend a few days before coming back to Philly.  It sounds convoluted, but it worked!

City dwellers may not have yards, but that doesn't stop them from landscaping beautifully!!  I loved walking along the streets and seeing all the beautiful plants and flowers and trees.

We didn't go into Independence Hall, but we take our photo in front of it - that counts doesn't it??  And we saw the Liberty Bell through the window.  We will be back - and Hannah and Robbie will be there for 2 years, so we have time to see all the sights!

Sunday morning at the South Philly Branch - the church is so great everywhere you go - they share a building with an income tax place - the church sign says "visitors welcome" and the tax sign said "walk-ins welcome!!"

Here's a shot of Philadelphia City Hall - with Ben Franklin's statue on the top - pretty impressive sight.

If I lived in Philly, I'm pretty sure I'd get way more than the recommended 10,000 steps daily - here we are at the Philadelphia Museum of Art - featured in "Rocky."  Lots of tourists running up the stairs!! To get here, we'd walked along a river - one that George Washington had crossed with his men during the Revolutionary War - I can tell we have lots of sights to see on future visits!

Here's the Philadelphia Temple - under construction - a beautiful building in a beautiful location!  It will be dedicated the year Robbie will finish at Wharton.

The "Rocky" statue that everyone flocks too as they emerge from the tour busses!

Rhoda was her usual fun self to hang out with!! After spending a whole summer with her, we miss her daily presence!!

Grandpa built a gate for her - so she won't be tempted to go down the stairs by herself!!

The visit was brief - Hannah and I discovered "Fabric Row" and some other delights - like I've said, we need more visits and more time - I may see America yet!

Happy day to Harry F - a little collage of memories!

High school days!

 

Back-packing with his dad.

 

Phoebe's birthday - a fave photo of mine!

 

Bonny's 30th birthday party!!

 

Clifton Marching Band!

 

Drama at Clifton.

 

 With his cousin Dianne.

On his 4th birthday - with his new mailbox lunch box, Fuller Brush hair brush, and his Mr. Roger's style sweater!!

 

With the family in 1984.

 

At the Moore's cabin in 1976.

 

After the first year of college.

 

Working on his bike - 1984 I think.

 

With Noah - 1995 or 6.

A happy day to you my son - you have been a great son - and it's fun to look back at the memories!  May the year ahead be the best ever!!