Happy Spring

Spring is a feeling, not a season in North Dakota.  We were supposed to get flurries while the southern Red River Valley was to get snow.  Nice try.  The good news is that it is nearly gone the same day it came.  We continue to feel like it is Spring though the temperatures argue otherwise.  The little orange blip in the center is an oriole feeder that I put up when it was warm.  Maybe they like a slush... no orioles seen yet.  We keep feeling like it is Spring.

A Sad Farewell

Like so many of us at our age, we spend more time than we would like saying "good-bye" to those close to us.

Last week we said "good-bye" to our sister-in-law, Pat.

We had spent happier days getting together in Steamboat, celebrating our June anniversaries, and enjoying time together at the lake.

Her passing was anticipated but still a sad time for the family.  Family from Michigan, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, and North Dakota came to say farewell.  

Pat has left us with many memories and a hand-written story of her journey of finding salvation in her Lord Jesus.  I wish more people would write that out for the family that remains.

The community response at the visitation at their church was overwhelming the evening before the funeral service.

For two and a half hours the visitors stretched from the foyer to the outside door to express their sympathy to the family.

Lou's daughters and family stood to greet each of them as they came.

Like most times such as this, there was a good thing that came from it.  The family was able to share a brief reunion that we don't otherwise take time to do.  Oldest brother Don came from Texas and we came from North Dakota to join the other two Iowa "boys."

Our first cousin, Gordon, and wife Ellen, came from Michigan.  Gordon is the son of Aunt Carrie and Uncle Toby who served on the mission field in Africa.  We named our daughter after Aunt Carrie.  We hadn't seen Gordon in decades.  Sister-in-law Jan (R) is also in the picture.

After the funeral and interment, we came back to church for a central Iowa lunch and more expressions of concern and love for Lou and family.

Norm and Jan invited us to their home in Huxley after the funeral service where this picture of the Luiken brothers was taken.  Who are those old guys?

The full day was too much for Lou and Pat's youngest grandson who fell asleep on the couch.

We miss you, Dear Pat, but will always remember your gracious, kind, and loving spirit towards us all.