I mentioned Gayla on Tuesday. Now to the rest of my cousins.
First there is Renee. This poor girl cannot afford real clothes and is forced to wear what seems to be nightwear. I try to give her money but she is so proud she refuses.
She used to babysit for us and then we pretty much destroyed her wedding. I remember playing on a microphone, not realizing it was on and the whole place could hear us. Luckily she forgave us. She has three grown children, and I am not sure how many grandchildren. Is she really that much older than me? Renee has inherited Kenny's work ethic, I think she has worked as long as I have known her, either at Sangamon with Kenny or at the State.
Then there is Amy. I was so happy a few years ago when Amy started going to church. She is so sweet, and has her dad's sense of humor more than anyone else. She has two great kids, and her daughter may be part elf or smurf. Luckily her son is normal. Her husband is an incredible hard worker, doing extra work to keep his family going. He is a real example to his son, and to me. Amy is a lot of fun, and has put up with the adoption joke for years.
Kim is married to Todd, a great guy but very quiet, and they have two kids.
Kim made me cry the other night on the telephone, twice. She has matured into one of the sweetest people, complimenting me in the midst of her own tragedy. She never ceases to say nice things about this blog, and about others. This is a trait she has gotten from her father. I believe that someday people will say of her, "she knew no enemies and no one ever spoke against her." Just like her dad. The four girls have grown up from my cousins to my friends. They have great families and our beautiful young women. Even Renee.
So thus ends my week of blogs for Uncle Kenny.
To Anna and the girls, stay strong, keep your friends and family close, and keep digging up memories of Kenny. They will sustain you. He was great and I will miss him, in case you have not noticed.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Class of 19?? was the Largest at Taylorville. Ever!
I graduated from Taylorville High School in 1981. At the time we were the largest graduating class in the history of the high school, and we were allowed to hold our graduation outdoors. It was a pretty big deal for the time. And I felt sort of proud being a part of that historical class.
And then my Uncle Kenny deflated my ego.
It turned out that his graduating class was the largest ever, because, as we found out over the years, he went to school with everyone.
You could be with Kenny in County Market and he would run into someone, "I went to school with her." She would be young woman, mid-30s, Kenny was 60 at the time.
In Ace Hardware, a man from Litchfield, early 80s, Kenny is 49, but somehow they went to school together.
Was my leg being pulled?
Did he really go to school with all those people?
Suddenly my graduating class seems so small.
I imagine there will be a class reunion in Heaven, people from the Taylorville Classes of 1929 to 2001, from Pana, Kincaid, Assumption, the Decatur and Springfield schools, from other states, maybe a few from across the ocean, and Uncle Kenny will know them all. Because he went to school with them.
And then my Uncle Kenny deflated my ego.
It turned out that his graduating class was the largest ever, because, as we found out over the years, he went to school with everyone.
You could be with Kenny in County Market and he would run into someone, "I went to school with her." She would be young woman, mid-30s, Kenny was 60 at the time.
In Ace Hardware, a man from Litchfield, early 80s, Kenny is 49, but somehow they went to school together.
Was my leg being pulled?
Did he really go to school with all those people?
Suddenly my graduating class seems so small.
I imagine there will be a class reunion in Heaven, people from the Taylorville Classes of 1929 to 2001, from Pana, Kincaid, Assumption, the Decatur and Springfield schools, from other states, maybe a few from across the ocean, and Uncle Kenny will know them all. Because he went to school with them.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Easter Eggs and other Memories
I need to come clean. Mom and I are the ones that put Easter eggs up every year at my aunt and uncles house.
It was so much fun. The year we did the bathroom up in the Easter motif was the best.
Over the years we had a lot of fun with Anna and Kenny.
I remember when Anna painted a front bedroom with either sponge or feathers. We thought it was silly, and yet years later we were all doing it. She did not know she was a trendsetter at the time.
I remember a great trip to Chicago when Anna wanted to go to culinary school. I got to take a great taxi ride, rode the El for the first time, and took the South Shores train on a Friday evening, which is evidently party time. I spent a lot of time getting to know Anna that weekend, and it is still a fond memory.
Mom and Dad asked Anna and Kenny to take in my sister and I if anything ever happened to my parents. That would have been interesting. Five girls in one room, me with my own, as least that is how I envisioned it.
I remember being at their house during a tornado. Someone mentioned Kenny watching the weather, and it brought back that memory.
I remember the backyard pond on Pine Street. The side yard where we used to play. I remember watching their house during their trips to Kansas, Chicago, or anywhere else they went. I always watched Top Gun on their big screen t.v. It seemed so cool on the big screen.
I remember a lot, 90% of it fond, some of it not. But I like to focus on the 90%.
We had a lot of good times, that is why I like family. Tomorrow I will talk about my other cousins, and maybe tell Amy that she is not adopted.
It was so much fun. The year we did the bathroom up in the Easter motif was the best.
Over the years we had a lot of fun with Anna and Kenny.
I remember when Anna painted a front bedroom with either sponge or feathers. We thought it was silly, and yet years later we were all doing it. She did not know she was a trendsetter at the time.
I remember a great trip to Chicago when Anna wanted to go to culinary school. I got to take a great taxi ride, rode the El for the first time, and took the South Shores train on a Friday evening, which is evidently party time. I spent a lot of time getting to know Anna that weekend, and it is still a fond memory.
Mom and Dad asked Anna and Kenny to take in my sister and I if anything ever happened to my parents. That would have been interesting. Five girls in one room, me with my own, as least that is how I envisioned it.
I remember being at their house during a tornado. Someone mentioned Kenny watching the weather, and it brought back that memory.
I remember the backyard pond on Pine Street. The side yard where we used to play. I remember watching their house during their trips to Kansas, Chicago, or anywhere else they went. I always watched Top Gun on their big screen t.v. It seemed so cool on the big screen.
I remember a lot, 90% of it fond, some of it not. But I like to focus on the 90%.
We had a lot of good times, that is why I like family. Tomorrow I will talk about my other cousins, and maybe tell Amy that she is not adopted.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
One More Thing Today
The cat on my blog actually showed up two weeks ago at our house. He is named Sawyer, and could use a good home. We will keep him if no one wants him. He is a big sweetie, and he does have tough.
One Week for Kenny
I have decided to write everyday this week in tribute to my late Uncle Kenny.
Today I want to talk about Gayla.
Last night at the funeral I got to thinking about something and I told her this as we were leaving the funeral home.
She was my first best friend.
We grew up next door to each other. My aunt married her dad and so we step-cousins, but first we were friends.
There were other kids in the neighborhood, Mindy and Greg Credi, Susan Jones, but Gayla was it. Her older sister, Renee, was okay (I kid, I love Renee) but Gayla was my buddy, my pal, and my first best friend.
As a fat kid, and now a fat guy, she never judged, and just like her father, has been so accepting of me over the years.
She is truly one of a kind.
She is married to an awesome man, even though he needs to learn to bribe me a little better. My wife can tell him that I am not a fan of starbrite peppermints, especially ones you took out of a candy dish in the funeral home foyer.
She has three great girls. More about one of them later.
During the loss of her dad, she took the time to ask about me and my family. This is someone with a great heart and a concern for others.
We could use more people like her in the world.
Luckily, her daughters have inherited her gift of compassion.
Crystal, the middle daughter, holds a special place in my heart for something she did for me.
She was the nurse the night my mom died. She was with her the whole night, talking to her, comforting her, holding her hand. She is soon going to be a mom. I hope, and really I know, that her child is going to be like Gayla and Crystal...comforting, loving, and someone's first best friend.
Today I want to talk about Gayla.
Last night at the funeral I got to thinking about something and I told her this as we were leaving the funeral home.
She was my first best friend.
We grew up next door to each other. My aunt married her dad and so we step-cousins, but first we were friends.
There were other kids in the neighborhood, Mindy and Greg Credi, Susan Jones, but Gayla was it. Her older sister, Renee, was okay (I kid, I love Renee) but Gayla was my buddy, my pal, and my first best friend.
As a fat kid, and now a fat guy, she never judged, and just like her father, has been so accepting of me over the years.
She is truly one of a kind.
She is married to an awesome man, even though he needs to learn to bribe me a little better. My wife can tell him that I am not a fan of starbrite peppermints, especially ones you took out of a candy dish in the funeral home foyer.
She has three great girls. More about one of them later.
During the loss of her dad, she took the time to ask about me and my family. This is someone with a great heart and a concern for others.
We could use more people like her in the world.
Luckily, her daughters have inherited her gift of compassion.
Crystal, the middle daughter, holds a special place in my heart for something she did for me.
She was the nurse the night my mom died. She was with her the whole night, talking to her, comforting her, holding her hand. She is soon going to be a mom. I hope, and really I know, that her child is going to be like Gayla and Crystal...comforting, loving, and someone's first best friend.
Monday, October 18, 2010
When Danger Reared Its Ugly Head...
He bravely turned his tail and fled. Brave, brave, brave Sir Robin.
I hate death. I want to avoid it when it comes up. As a former pastor, associate, youth, etc. I have been around it a lot. I stood my mom as she passed away. My uncle Roger, people from the church, family friends, etc.
And I wish I could have avoided it this weekend.
I got a call early Friday morning that my favorite uncle had passed away. I had just seen him in a funeral home parking lot a week ago, at a visitation for a family friend. We just waved, no stopping to talk.
And now he is gone.
He was my favorite for a number of reasons.
First, he always seemed to care about everyone. He was a part of the Sertoma Club, Junior Achievement, he volunteered at the hospital and fire department. He did not know a stranger, everyone went to school with him, at least according to him.
Second, he was fun. He had a great sense of humor and a great laugh. He was just someone you wanted to be around. We picked on him at family gatherings, and he took it in great strides.
I remember his love for cottage cheese. His love for candy, snacks, bananas, and the champagne of beers.
I remember his great handshake. He never really made it as a car salesman because he had too good of a handshake.
I remember him working at Ace Hardware and us ringing the doorbells on display to get his attention, and possibly, his goat.
I still say "let's rid up supper" because I learned it from him.
I remember sitting in his little office at Gordon's when he rented cars. I actually rented a car from him. Didn't need to, just did it for a trip to Michigan.
I remember his Mom, his grandma, and so much more....
Then a young mom died in Pana. Four kids left behind and her husband, who is such a nice young man. He helped us at church during a drama presentation.
When danger rears its ugly head, or death...I flee.
Goodbye Uncle Kenny. My fondness for you will never fail.
I hate death. I want to avoid it when it comes up. As a former pastor, associate, youth, etc. I have been around it a lot. I stood my mom as she passed away. My uncle Roger, people from the church, family friends, etc.
And I wish I could have avoided it this weekend.
I got a call early Friday morning that my favorite uncle had passed away. I had just seen him in a funeral home parking lot a week ago, at a visitation for a family friend. We just waved, no stopping to talk.
And now he is gone.
He was my favorite for a number of reasons.
First, he always seemed to care about everyone. He was a part of the Sertoma Club, Junior Achievement, he volunteered at the hospital and fire department. He did not know a stranger, everyone went to school with him, at least according to him.
Second, he was fun. He had a great sense of humor and a great laugh. He was just someone you wanted to be around. We picked on him at family gatherings, and he took it in great strides.
I remember his love for cottage cheese. His love for candy, snacks, bananas, and the champagne of beers.
I remember his great handshake. He never really made it as a car salesman because he had too good of a handshake.
I remember him working at Ace Hardware and us ringing the doorbells on display to get his attention, and possibly, his goat.
I still say "let's rid up supper" because I learned it from him.
I remember sitting in his little office at Gordon's when he rented cars. I actually rented a car from him. Didn't need to, just did it for a trip to Michigan.
I remember his Mom, his grandma, and so much more....
Then a young mom died in Pana. Four kids left behind and her husband, who is such a nice young man. He helped us at church during a drama presentation.
When danger rears its ugly head, or death...I flee.
Goodbye Uncle Kenny. My fondness for you will never fail.
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