Memorial Day

MEMORIAL DAY POEM

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As Taps began to play.

The Chaplain led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say.

Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

Author unknown

I dedicate this to my son, Hans, who has already served our country more than half of his life. God bless you and your family, Hans!

Flag raising ceremony in my home town this morning

My grandchildren Aurelia, Leo and Felix

Felix faithfully put his hand over his heart when the colors passed by.

Bud Grant's Garage Sale

Bud Grant posing with the back of a stadium seat that has been painted in his likeness

When I heard Bud Grant, former Minnesota Vikings head coach for years, and now 87 years old, was having a garage sale—his final garage sale—I made it a point to try to go and at least look at what he was selling. I already knew where he lived because a friend of mine had driven me past it years ago.

The sale started at 5 pm yesterday, which is the time I get out of work. I hurried home, fed Nels, grabbed my camera, and took off. His home is just over 3 miles from mine. Never did I expect to see so many cars and people! They were parked bumper to bumper for blocks and blocks. I turned onto his street, driving slowing so as to not hit the pedestrians and other cars looking for a parking spot. When I was one house away from his, I noticed a man approaching his car with a poster in his hand. I stopped, waited for him to get into his car, start it up and slowing back out. I popped right into the vacancy. Talk about good luck!

Walking up to his driveway, I could feel the excitement in the air. There were probably 50 people already in line, waiting to pay for their finds. Others were looking at tables with jerseys, shirts, and other sports paraphernalia and a lot of hunting and fishing gear. I slowly bypassed them and walked up to a table that had a couple of plates with birds on them, and a darling Swedish candle holder. I guess the others were wanting sports memorabilia. Not I. I took a bird plate and the candle holder and made my way to the garage. In the garage, I picked up a couple more items and proceeded to the woman running the cash register. I walked up to her and said, I think I owe you this amount. She wrote up my items, took my money, and voilà, I had scored! Bud was seated just a couple of feet from me—signing books people were buying. I leaned in (right next to a TV camera man who was pointing his big lens Bud's way) and had my photo taken next to him.

After choir last night, I took a couple of my friends to my car to show them my purchases. They encouraged me to go back and have him sign a couple of my things. I stopped by his home on my way home from choir, but the family was putting things away for the night. They suggested I come back today, which I did.

Bud Grant was very gracious, taking time to talk to each person who had stood in line.

Happy 10th Birthday, Josiah!

Deep in thought

Josiah, communicating with a Sailor onboard Hans' ship.

Tomorrow my oldest grandson, Josiah, turns ten. I'll never forget the excitement of becoming a grandma. I was at Heidi's for a visit when Hans phoned me to tell me he was born.

Josiah is growing into a nice young man. He is handsome, sweet, and intelligent. I enjoyed spending some time with him in Japan last December. Though I don't get to see him or talk to him as often as I'd like, I think of him every day, and never stop praying for him. Happy Birthday, Josiah!

Celebrating Mother's Day Because of My Three Kids

For years, Mother's Day was a tough day for me because my mother had died. But that all changed when I became a mother. I'm the proud mother of these three kids, Hans, Peder and Heidi.

Peder, Hans, Heidi

Photo taken September 2008

These adult children of mine are now parents, and will be celebrating Mother's Day with their spouses and/or children. Words don't express how proud I am of each of them. There's not a day I don't think about them and pray for them. They continue to bring me so much joy and happiness.

I want to thank them for maintaining a great relationship with me and for making my life so happy.

Spring is here!

The weather really changed for the good this past weekend. It put me in the mood to get some flowers for outside my screened porch. It also spurred me into calling my brother and sister to see if they wanted to meet me somewhere halfway between our homes. Thankfully they were available and so we had a very nice time over lunch on Sunday.

For my way home, I decided to take an old U.S. highway that we took before the Interstate highways existed. [My kids may think the Interstates have always been around.] I drove from Owatonna to Faribault, enjoying the sights along this two lane highway. At one point I thought, my dad drove this same road. It made me feel good.

In Faribault I found the garden nursery that a local twin cities station has been advertising, Donahue's Greenhouse. They claimed to have a big variety of geraniums, one of my favorite outdoor plants. Pulling up to the curb, I noticed there were tulips blooming outside the building. Oh, how I love tulips! Walking into the nursery was wonderful! I have never seen so many gorgeous flowers in one store. Plus, there were beautiful bird baths, lawn decorations, and a big selection of items for fairy gardens—very popular now. They had an adorable fairy garden in a Red Ryder wagon. I was disappointed to not have my camera with me. But if click on their link, you can see for yourself.

I'm happy with the look of my plants and have been enjoying them very much!

Changes

It's no news that things are always changing – even furniture in our homes changes by the hour – more dust accumulating on it unless it is being cleaned. This week two big changes have been revealed to me: first, the building in which I work is being sold. That doesn't mean we would be moving. Rather, we would have a new landlord. Also, our current space may be reduced by 4,000 square feet, in keeping with our new lease signed earlier this year. So, my little cubicle office location may be changing. It may be a little harder to get a good parking space. These things are no big deal. The second development has to do with my church. The smaller campus at which I often volunteer in the choir, is having a change in pastors and is no longer going to offer a traditional service. Thus, no need for choir members. This affects many people.

On a broader scope, our church hired a new pastor last summer. With that, we are noticing more changes week by week. Do I like all of them? Honestly, no.

Change is often uncomfortable - moving one into new territory. For some, it goes unnoticed; for others, it is a hard pill to swallow.

In February, my Uncle Allan passed away. That has been a huge change for my Aunt Ginny and her kids. It affects me, too. I have always known them as a "pair."

Also in February, my granddaughter Corinne was born. She is a welcome change! For Heidi, Chad, Marshall and Brian, they have had to make adjustments, but for me, she is one more darling to love and care about.

There is one change I am anxious to have happen: I would love the weather to warm up and the leaves to break out on the trees. I am so anxious for spring and to be outdoors again. Bring it on!