November 1, 2008

• AT LAST !

  I apologize for not posting sooner but so much has happened, I couldn’t keep up.

  The family flew in and things began to buzz the week of October 6 - 12. Many a prayer was sent heavenward for Pop, that God would make him feel good enough to go to the family reunion. We were still fearful that it wouldn’t come together.

  We was to leave for camp around noon, Wednesday, October 15, 2008. On Tuesday October 14 we made a trip to Boise to Pop’s blood work done for his surgery on October 22. Although it tired him out, he was still looking forward to the reunion.

  Wednesday he got up and my grandson’s came around 9am to load his couch in the pick-up. (He said he wouldn’t go if he couldn’t have his couch, which he has slept on since July, since it is softer than the bed) Arrangements were made, and it was decided that my son would drive the pick-up with the couch and I would come with my daughter-in-law n their mini van. Pop had other ideas…. Pop drove the pick-up and my son drove his mini van, leaving a little before noon. We stopped at LaGrande for lunch after which we headed up into the mountains just out of LaGrande. Seventeen miles up a beautiful mountain road to our destination. We arrived soon after my daughter and family got there.

  We arrived… we arrived… I couldn’t believe it was so. It was in the planning for over a year, first near the Oregon coast, then it was changed to a closer place, when Pop got sick. There were plans, fears, discussions between family members whether it should be, or be called off because of Pop’s illness. More plans. The work of changing places, more input from family. Games to be planned and discussed. Song to be decided on. Worry about the weather. Songs that the family sang to be found and copied so everyone could have a copy. Pop and I had chosen the 3 oldest girls to be charge of making it happen, and between them, they would encourage one another and plan, and make phone calls for hours, back and forth across the US. Letters were sent out with information. But in spite of all the doubts and fears, bad news and good news. The committee (as they were soon called) kept on planning, and it came to pass.

  Praise God, He allowed it to take place. God blessed it, and it became the happiest three days of my life. The reunion took place and now the memories…..

  I just got a fax from Rob, (my oldest daughter) and she said just this evening she was pouring over the reunion pictures again, she wished it had been longer. (some of the rest of us wouldn't have minded.) It made so many memories and hundreds of pictures.

  
  The mornings were cold and crisp. (but not too cold) You would crawl out of a warm toasty sleeping bag. Get dressed. and step out into the crisp morning air. As you looked out through the cabins, you could see the wood smoke curling upward from the chimneys, as an early morning fire welcomed the day. As you walked through the tall trees, you would breath deep to smell the smoke that hung lightly in the air. (the faint smell of wood smoke there is nothing like it.)
  It was a short way over to the main hall where the cement floor is covered with needles from the trees, which suggests there must have a wind that blew, just before they put the finish on the floor. The first thing after stepping through the door was to see how my darling made it through the night. A kiss, and then the day began. Turning toward the kitchen one could smell the wonderful aroma of coffee, letting you know that Mr. Darling had been there before making the early morning, wake-up coffee. I poured a cup and sat to a table, and watched. Looking around one could see the young people, grandchildren, and couples slowly, aimlessly drift into the dinning hall, Pour a cup of coffee and sit down with you for a chat, before the fast pace of the day began. Meanwhile the families in charge of breakfast for that day, would be busy in the kitchen making eggs, hash browns and sausage. Wonderful, delicious smells that would greet the hungry tummies that soon filled the dinning hall.

  I think I will edit and finish this tomorrow, I’m getting sleepy but meanwhile I THANK THE LORD MY MAKER FOR ALL HIS GIFTS TO ME AND FOR DOING GREAT THINGS FOR US, FOR MAKING US GLAD.

  • 4:11 am
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