Reflections

We were saddened to read about Mike Session's death in this morning's paper. Sessions were our neighbors either directly or indirectly for 25 years when we lived in Fennville. They kept moving closer and closer. I am not sure what year it was when they built a house across the road from us...but they were there in 1980 when we had our fire. Lots of our stuff was in their garage for several weeks before we could get it cleaned and washed and stored someplace else. The entire family turned out for that event...taking care of belongings and plants. Mike was a sensitve young man and will be missed by those who knew him.

Speaking of Fennville, we had dinner with the Sieverts, Hafers and Matulas on Saturday. We go back with them to our moving into West Michigan. Donnalu was the first visitor...riding up on her bicycle to visit the "Mushroom Lady." (That was the neighborhood name for Aleene before they either knew, could remember or correctly pronounce her name, since I worked at the Mushroom Farm.) Duane and Margot...mostly Duane recruited me for the choir at church and I lasted 33 years. This is the first year since then that I have not taken part in the choir. Wes and Marilyn came along about two years later and now are our neighbors in Holland. They have all been there for us over the years.

Anyway, it was Donnalu and Bob's 11th anniversary so we celelbrated as old folks do...we ate a long slow dinner at Spectator in Saugutuck and scoped the people who came and went...former students, and friends of our kids, etc. It was fun. Bob has retired and so that makes four of us. We guys are getting together to go to the Kalamazoo Air Museum later this month. I am sure we will do lunch and maybe breakfast...ah, yes, grits and fried eggs. We have all settled back into the Fennville Church which is where it all began. So as we make plans to bail out this fall, things are almost...not quite, but almost...like they were 25 years ago. (Pass the tissues.)

Aleene is scurrying around in preparation for the wedding which is just ten days from now. Before that lots has to happen. Rehersal dinner, bruch in the woods for out of towners...tent in Jeff's front yard...Amy and Bren with kids here...lots to happen. My week is full of golf and a four hour seminar at Zeeland Library...or should I say preparation for that stuff. I actually ran this morning....I did remarkably well...so as to prepare myself for being on my feet for five hours. I also need to be in shape for the two day events coming up this fall...MSP, CHI, DET, PDX...whew, I actually have to work.

Rose has the right perspective...take time to stop along the trail to smell the tree stumps, then take a nap. It will all seem like a dream.