Yo Guys

Yo Guys – Monday March 31st,

Yo Fellas,

This’ll have to be a joint letter to the both of you… after wiling away the hours this morning, I have something of a schedule to catch up with. Sad, for my “day off” – but, I have enjoyed it.

“Spring cleaning” at the dentist office was first in order at 08:15. That went well, no cavities. I hope you guys are keeping up with such. It’s good to have teeth at age 60, though I didn’t think I wouldn’t have along the way.

Wind is out of the north now, looks to be about 20mph. Deb got me a weather station for Christmas (an old man item) and I mounted it on a newly cut tree from our side yard. It sticks way up there now, and I calibrated yesterday to point in the direction of the wind. So, there it stands, on duty, doing what it’s supposed to do! Your mom was looking at it sticking up into the sky yesterday after the final installation… (she was planting flowers) – I said, “Yea, I know, ‘It’s an old man thing.’” Your mom said, “No… it is a ‘Nick’ thing.” Well, that’s good enough I suppose.

Sam, it seems Thomas is getting the upper hand on you – forcing you to buy food dispensing items and all. Gotta watch out for that… cats will take over if you bend just a little. Thomas won’t get overly fat if you leave dry cat food out – it isn’t all that good, and he will eat only as much as he needs to. I’ll try to attach a picture of your mom’s cat to this… I discovered the suspected “bent” is very much in place in that cat. Hopefully, that isn’t true for Thomas. {It can’t have passed you that your cat’s name is the same as your own middle name!}

Nathan, your mom tells me she interrupted your pic-nic with Sofie when she called last week. I’m glad you both have a gal. It would be sorrow to us to think of you being alone. God’s greatest gift to me, aside from life itself, is your mom. I am amazed at how short childhood really is – my m om and dad filled that position and gave me my life. I left home at age 18. That seemed an enormous amount of time – well, it was. It was all of my life. But now, your mom and I will celebrate thirty-five years of marriage in thirteen more days. I cannot believe it has been so long… further, I cannot believe she said “yes” to me. What a great and lovely woman. Danke Gott.

Your mom and I took a hike up the waterfall behind Farchant yesterday, after Mass. I’ll try to stick a picture of that in here as well, if ya’ like. I figure we walked about two and a half hours – up, mostly. We sat on a grassy slope to have lunch, and then hiked up a little further. We were up to the snow line – if you consider the north slope – where we were was on the west and south exposure, so lots of sun, some birds and a nice breeze. It was altogether lovely to be up there with her. I think we plan to go to the Walkensee next Monday, as that starts your mom’s Spring Break. It may be, Nathan, you will come over this way for a visit at that time. I hope you do!

So, Fellas, you are men now. It is a privilege to be your dad.

The ole’ wind meter is spinning now, and the loose branches on the tree trunk are waving in the wind. Must mean the normal valley breeze is in its place. I then should go up to my office and get in my place (behind my desk and computer) and produce the payroll for tomorrow and the new Bar menu for Expresso (starts Friday) and the real menu for the week days… I’ve had the Menu covers, but never have done anything about it. Hmm, that must point to something or other… probably like a “Nick thing.”

God’s blessing on you both, on those you love, and on what you do.

Love,

Dad

PS

I’ll try to stick the pictures in an e-mail… I don’t see the way to attach anything to EVERNOTE… and, I believe those pictures are only on the IMAC. So it is.

Thanksgiving 2014

Yo Fellas!

   So, here you are together in Austin for Thanksgiving Day.  Wowee, my guys, getting around in life.  Well, I am thinking of times past and looking at now.  Good on ya’ – Good on ya both.

   Your mom and I will be joining the Kane family and a few others at their house this afternoon.  Not much else to speak of… just a day of this and that – but, a day together… now, that counts for something.

   Just now, your mom came in from the bakery, so I imagine we will be having breakfast soon.  A fire is going in the fireplace, it is about 32 degrees, according to my little weather station outside, and it looks as though the sun is about to come up over the Wank in a minute or so, it is 08:00 at this time.

   My neighbour next door (Volker – the Chief of Medicine for Bavaria) misunderstood a conversation we had the other day, in which he said we could shorten our trees along the property line to two meters and that would give Debbie more sunlight – since the sun is now so low on the southern horizon.  I mentioned to him that Deb and I had talked of the same, but that I’d rather not do anything right now; and, I would, perhaps, talk with him about it next Monday when I am “off” again.

   Don’t you know, your mom came home that night to find all of our trees butchered and laying all over the yard?  I spoke with Volker Tuesday night about it and he was horrified that he had misunderstood me.  He even wrote me an “apology e-mail” at one o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, saying he couldn’t sleep because of “this horrible misunderstanding” and would replace the trees in the Spring, if what was left of them didn’t come back to life.  I think they will come back… it was, though a terrible shock to see what looked like a tornado had hit them.

   Oh well.  Life has its little twists and turns.  Above all, it is our greatest joy to have the two of you.  We wish (and pray) God’s best for you in your lives.  Happy Thanksgiving Lads!

Love,

Dad (& Your Mom, of course)

September 14, 2014

Hi Guys,

I’m awaiting a call from Aunt Nancy, shortly, in order to go to her house and do some painting ~ I’m visiting her for a few days; your Mom is finishing up with school now, and will fly to Tallahassee to assist me in care for Marilyn, and no doubt a visit with the Weaver clan.

This picture is from the Summer of 2014. Your Mom and I thought that by baking this leather couch in the sun we might remove the cigarette odor from it. I think Nathan and I bought it from the 2nd Hand Store.

Our lives were to take a drastic turn the end of that year. Uncle Tom would die in December and your Grandmother Weaver would die in January. Such is life. We try to grasp it, but doing that is like trying to grab a fistful of oil… it just slips away, no matter. I think that’s what taking pictures is all about – trying to hang on to some day or moment.

Of course, just the opposite of that is true as well. Finding yourself in an unfavorable time or position, you may well say, “OK, this will pass.” I’ve been in a few of those as well. But, good or bad, they all do pass.

So, Aunt Nancy just called… in her frantic and confused way. We will go buy the paint and brushes. I will paint today (I have beer in the trunk of my car – that should help… I’ll buy hamburgers at noon, that will help also.).

Good bye Fellas. A good day to you both. A “photo” kind of day! 

Love,

Dad

April 14, 2016

I’m amazed. It is our 37th anniversary. I’m sitting in 1st class – dining car, an ERDINGER Weiss Beer, now gone – we are zooming back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen; having spent the week in Hamburg.

I am amazed. Danke Gott. I do not deserve this… any of it, Deb, my boys, my family, life. You, Lord, and Your wonderful grace; that is all. 

Danke Gott.

Love

Nick

June 2015 Obama’s Visit

Hi Sam & Nathan,

  Birds singing (sparrows mostly), river running and wind blowing… and constant helicopters going overhead, either at about 1,000 ft. or some circling at about 10,000 ft. Such is a visit from Obama… and it all started about 07:30 or so this morning. Poor guys in the military. I think it will be 24/7 for them as long as Obama is here.

  Your mom and I are, on the other hand, hosting good ole’ grandpa’ for a few weeks. That is going well, and I think he is beginning to rest a bit. In fact, he is lying down on his bed (actually, the one he had when he was a child) up in the spare room right now.

  Your mom fixed us a nice lunch – chicken, salad and such – which I prepared on the grill for a couple of hours. The weather is such as we could and did eat outside on the patio next to the river. All quite lovely, and a good day to be Sunday.

  I hope all is well with the two of you, and those you love. God be with you, keep and guide you.

Love,

Dad

April 25, 2015

Hi Guys!

  Saturday! Used to mean we were out on the lake or the Gulf (bay) or some such. Those were the days… I miss em’, but wouldn’t want to do them over again. Once was enough, and, I have some great memories of my two best friends out there doing this or that… just being your dad.

  I had the day off today… yesterday as well, actually… and I’m off till 12 May. Today was kind of quiet as your mom went in to work to catch up on some reports due at the end of the school year. I pretty much read, worked on paying some EXPRESSO bills on line, and that’s about it.

  I’ve been in and out of the hospital for tests, and tests in doctors offices for the past two or so weeks. It seems my ole’ spine is acting up around the seventh vertebrae and will either calm itself down with some physical therapy and rest, or, I will have surgery in Murnau. In any case, EXPRESSO is going to have to wait for me. So far, AAFES is cooperative, however, I don’t know what they’ll say if I end up with six weeks of physical therapy following surgery. Well, we’ll deal with that in due time. For now, it is a matter of doing less… I’ll see how that goes!

  Your mom is home now… along with a bee who is investigating the living room – so, your mom has exited the living room and is opening a bottle of wine so she and I can walk around the yard and look at all her pretty flowers coming up. Such a lovely thing to do, with such a lovely girl. You know, I do so look forward to leaving all else at the end of the day and being with your mom… just to do the sort of thing I spoke of. How nice… the world doesn’t have what I have, in fact, it doesn’t even have an inkling of this. She is my secret… you are too.

  Back later then.

  And, now it is later. Hello lovely lads! 

  Your mom and I walked over toward Volker’s house, up the river, and met a friend of Volker’s, “Wolfgang.” Wolfgang is about 60 ish; is somewhat cross eyed, and has way crooked teeth. He laughs and talks and is such a fellow that a person would be inclined to be his friend instantly. I hope I see him again. Trouble is, my left arm started to have a spasm and I had to double over to try and quell it. Neither Volker nor Wolfgang realized what was happening… but your mom did. We “moseyed” on back toward our own house. All is well now.

  Your mom is going out to get some Weiss Worst for breakfast (Weissworst and Weiss Bier is called for tomorrow). Then, I will make some steaks and we will settle in for the evening.

  So it is for us. I love you guys. I’m glad to have you for sons… I’m glad to be your dad.

Love,

Dad

April 12, 2015

Hi Fellas!

Such a lovely day! Your mom is out in the back yard (on a lounge chair) sleeping in the sun. What could be better?

It is Sunday, of course. We spent an enjoyable two hours with our friends from the Catholic church this morning – Brother Stephan (the Priest), and Col. and Mrs. Kane, and another couple. All of us sitting in the sun, most of us having a beer, and all laughing at this and that. How lovely! (We went to a Bakerie in Garmisch).

I am in the house now, presenting this letter to the both of you. I trust you are both doing well and proceeding along in your daily plans.

I’ve not so much to tell you… our lives move along about as you might imagine. Your mom and I are getting older – my body (in particular) is showing signs of “mileage.” So the doctors tell me. I guess that is to be expected… funny thing is, I only began noticing it after about age 58, and then most significantly after age 60. I’ve heard this before, from others who are further down the road from me. It seems to be the case though. Kind of like those labs that close a car door 50,000 times to see how it will hold up over the duration of the car’s life. 50,000 Closures are a lot – considering you’ll get about two a day… for 365 days a year (at the very most) – that’s not even a thousand a year… and what car is going to last 50 years anyway?

Well, there’s my take on the matter. Your mom just walked in… going into the kitchen. This is the last day of her Spring Break. If I were you guys, and/or I had it to do over again, I’d be a teacher. Sure, you’ve got the ‘daily grind’ – but, it is with kids (of any age… but my favorite are the middle school kids – not evil, yet, and not babies… just old enough to be sly and ornery… such as I am anyway). But, as I discovered with you two guys, in 1994, when I went into teaching from the HRS, “Hey! I get a week off for Spring Break… two weeks off for Christmas with my boys… and… a whole 3 months off for a summer with my family! Wowee! Who’s stupid here? I’m gonna’ do this!”

That went just about as far as Tallahassee… but better times came, as you, Sam, were quick to tell me one day. So, my best, and my love to you both. God be with you.

Back out into the sunshine… maybe I’ll have another beer, just to sip at, and sit with you lovely mom and enjoy just being alive.

Love,

Dad

SAM LETTERS

Hi ya Sam!

  I’m using EVERNOTE to do this note to you. I’m gonna’ try and send it now… if I am successful, I will write more.

Love,

Dad

samuel.harrold@gmail.com

Wowee!

I see this thing did actually work. OK, I’ll trust it with the rest of my letter to you then.

  Your mom and I are doing the old people thing – sitting in the living room, reading and writing… with a fire going for warmth and comfort. Yep, cold and rainy this weekend. That’s Garmisch though.

  I bought a generator for my Army truck (Gloria is her name). The purpose of the generator is to allow me to use power equipment to service the boat. But, something went wrong with the generator yesterday afternoon (I was going to use it to run the chain saw to cut up wooden pallets to burn), so I guess I’ll have to take it back to OBI and have them look at it. My “thing” purchases haven’t gone so well of late it seems… first the helo. crashed and now this. Hmmm.

  Well, Gloria is back on the base, in the parking lot next to EXPRESSO. She’s a good ole’ gal – kind of ugly and sort of smelly, but that suits me. I don’t think anyone would consider theft or even mess with her.

  Your mom and I went to Catholic Mass this morning, as Bob’s brother Tom was giving the homily. It was well put, by a man who isn’t eloquent, but does speak from the heart. I mention this to you because what he said kind of reminds me of you. It concerns the parable of the fellow who found treasure in a field, buried the treasure and then sold everything to buy the field. Another fellow (a merchant I suppose) found a pearl of “great price.” The last parable was of some fishermen, gathering an abundance of fish. In all of these, so said Tom, the picture of a person relentlessly pursuing the thing they had chosen to do comes to mind. They allowed nothing to get in their way. They did what they set out to do.

  So, I think of you here, as I have known you to be that way. You doggedly see to something until you have it in your grasp. You’ve done that with your French horn (I still hum that piece you performed at Patch years ago); you did it with your studies, everywhere we lived (all the awards at Lajes spoke to that… you even got the “Black Student of the Year” award – WOW!). Well, anyway, I know you are going through a tough time right now. I suppose you are disheartened with some of the folks you have encountered. I believe you have a good heart though, and the guts to face trials in life. Good on ya fella.

  Your mom cautioned me (earlier today when she knew I was going to write to you) not to make my letter “too long.” So, I will bring it to an end here. Besides, Garrison Keillor comes on in about 45 minutes. I have to get the red chips out for me and Lucy… the fire is burning nicely now.

  I love you Sam. God be with you.

Love,

Dad

PRINCIPLES OF WAR

(I heard this on the radio – from a retired, Christian, General)

#1     OBJECTIVE

   *What is yours?

   *What has God called you to do?

#2     GO ON THE OFFENSIVE

   *Take the war to Satan – Get ahead of it.

   *Anticipate what the enemy can do to you.

     (Intercessory prayer – Get set – The Enemy/God – Pray.

#3     MASS – Assemble combat power to defeat the enemy

   *Strike lethal blow to the enemy.

   *Do what has to be done.

#4     MANEUVER – Maintain our forces to move rapidly – Agile

   *Take advantage – Exploit the enemy

   *Know current events

#5     UNITY OF COMMAND – Who? – God (Work together)

   *All denominations

   *Work together

#6     SECURITY – Be watchmen 24/7. 

   *Do not be surprised when you are attacked.

   *They shoot the Commander.

#7     ECONOMY OF FORCES – Use the smallest force possible for a secondary principle.

#8     SURPRISE – Washington crossed the Delaware – Don’t announce… Just do it.

#9     SIMPLICITY – Make plans everyone understands. The Commander’s intent must be understood.

Note:

   What price are you willing to pay for God? For U.S.A.? For Israel?

Aunt Dottie

Hi Aunt Dottie,

  Here’s where I’ll try to swap over to “Evernote” to do this study of Luke with you. I’ll give it a stab, and you let me know if it worked. If so, I’ll continue… if not, we’ll go back to the more laborious method I was using.

  We love you and are glad you are still with us. God be with you.

Love,

Nick & DebbieLuke 1Introduction

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

I think you and I already discussed verse one through four. So, I’ll stick my comments into verses five to twenty-five. I hope you like it.The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Elizabeth’s age will be important later, as the angel who appeared to Mary used it to let Mary know that even though things are not possible on this earth in the natural sense, with God all things are indeed possible.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

All of the above was the message the angel was told, by God, to give to Zechariah. I can imagine Zechariah was unnerved at the appearance of the angel. Not much was going on spiritually at that time in Jewish history. So, this was the start of all that we now live in. This was the end of the “Intra-Biblical Period”, if I remember that right. There were no prophets, prophecies or other unusual things happening. Not so now though… you may remember (in 1973) when you and Dad came to the church I served in in DeLeon Springs, Fla. At that service, the Spirit of God entered the service and some were healed, and some came to Jesus. You and Dad had to leave the service early so he could pick up Mom at the nursing home. That sort of thing (in a small way) is how Jesus now interacts with us. I have an opportunity to minister to a dying lady on Tuesdays right now – this Tuesday will be my last with Brigitte. Normally, the Catholic priest (Bob) goes to visit her, but he is in the U.S. for a week or so; so, he left the visits with me. It is a lovely thing, Aunt Dottie, to come into the presence of God himself. Of all the joys in my whole life, that is the one I cling to and love. I will do so, yet again, with Brigitte. She cannot talk now, she’s had a stroke. She weeps though. I know Jesus touches her… he touches me as well.

So, there you have (verses eleven to sixteen) the presence of God himself in that room with Zechariah.

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Bigoo Mistakoo (as Takeko puts it) – Zechariah wasn’t asking how, he was asking how can I be sure? 

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

I do like the way God deals with us. His angels have, as well, the prerogative to make on the spot decisions, it seems to me. Gabriel decided here to give Zechariah a “sign.” Imagine the immensity of it all… this is one of God’s own angels, whom He himself sent to give Zechariah this message. I suppose Gabriel might have been a little miffed at this fellow. I started to tell you earlier, though I got sidetracked, that I saw two of these angels in April of 1987. They were standing at either side of my mother’s (Dorothy Harrold) bed, just before she died (a day or so before). I saw her in her risen state, a vibrant, youthful, whole woman. It wasn’t just that she didn’t look “beat up”, as she did in the bed; but, she was whole beyond any memory I had of her. She actually radiated that wholeness… no fear, no insecurities. A whole person. The two angels were in white robes and stood at either side of her bed. I saw this for a moment, and then it was gone. It was so, though, and they were God’s messengers, and I saw them.

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” 

I think, at times, what we see as disgrace may simply be a matter of God’s own timing for us. I speak this for me, now, as well. I would like to be a successful businessman (financially), but, in God’s timing I am going about my business here, on the base and in my neighbourhood… and with Brigitte, the Germany lady I mentioned to you earlier. I know these things, to be sure. These are the “Good News” that we are told to tell to others: God loves us. Though we are not worthy of his love, he does so none-the-less. He wishes for us to be his, and to know his love. That’s it. That is what I say to Brigitte as I hold her hand and pray for her and as I read Psalms to her. Deb has a passage from her grandmother for me to read to Brigitte this Tuesday – it comes from an old book Deb’s grandmother used to read, written between the 1800’s and 1930 – the year the author died. It is a simple book, but one of deep thought… and quite helpful words. I’ll get the passage from Deb today or tomorrow, read it to Brigitte, and then pass it along to you if you wish.

All for now.

Love,

Nick

Bro. Bob

Yo Bro. Bob,

  Well, ole’ friend (and Pastor), I may be requiring some e-mail discourse from you from time to time, now.

  We had a lovely time with Sam, and Emily. A “farm girl” from your neck of the woods… and one who is in earnest, and loves Sam. She has my heart, and Deb’s. She had us over to dinner our last night and made a Salmon croquet dish… truly a work of art, and, the first time she had ever attempted it. So, we were well received and Sam’s mom, happy that he is in the company of such a lovely young lady. I’ll attach a picture for you, if I remember it in this e-mail.

  I have now spent my first day with my sister, Marilyn. She is, I think, in something of a daze. It is to be expected since Stanley died only several weeks ago. The grandness of this home

OK. this is now the 3rd attempt at writing this letter. I’m going to find another way to do it. I have now lost 3 entire letters to this confound contraption.

So, here I am again. This time I will be recording on EVERNOTE. I’ll send it your way and then see if it reaches you and then continue on. It will reach you if it reaches me as well, I think. I have now wasted some good thought, breeze and beer. I can get another beer… the breeze will keep up, with or without the ceiling fans… the thought may be something else though.

nh

Now it is 5:05pm. I think I am getting the hang of this. I’ll work on it every day while I’m here… both to you and also to deal with my writing abilities.

  I was telling you of things as I see them here. And, I am mindful of the fragile nature of life around me at this time. Once again, I fear God has chosen me by default… sort of like when I became the Scout Master for the BSA troop at Lajes Field AFB. But here I am, and here I stand… I can do no more (that would be a quote from Martin Luther).

  I do so miss Deb. I only left her yesterday, but I awakened at 03:00 today and realised I will be without her lovely presence for over a week. She is so a part of my family (here), that her absence lends all the more to the feeling of emptiness without my mom and now Stan sitting out here on the back porch. 

  Well, I will do what I know to do, each day. God help me to be a good brother to Marilyn. I hope to embrace her as we did Mom. Perhaps she will spend time with us in Germany.

  I did mention to her your thoughts on your mom being aware of your life as you have lived it following her death. Somehow, I think our mom is looking on, and now Stan. I want them to smile in our handling of Mike’s life. I want Jesus to smile. I will do my best. Now, that is a BSA promise.

Love in Christ,

Nick (&Deb)

40 Years Ago

I think it is unlikely that many people get to do this twice in their lives, look back 40 years to recount God’s blessing, and to thank those who were involved in one’s life.

40 Years ago, today, Labor Day 1972, I sat in my first class at Liberty Bible College. It was the start of my walk in the life God had for me. It has been altogether good. 

Some things I have learned over the past 40 years are:

* God, Himself, put me at Liberty to prepare and equip me for my calling… and, to give me a lovely wife of these now thirty-three years. I thank you for your ear to hear God’s voice, Don Stewart, and the wisdom to not tell me what you knew… but rather to put me in a place where I could hear God’s voice myself. That, my friend, and if I may say so, “Father in the faith” has made all the difference. Thank you, Bill Caffey, for your words of invitation to three prospective students (I being one of them) that morning in July, “We don’t teach you about the counterfeits in the world, here at Liberty, we make you so aware of the Truth, that anything else is quite obvious.” It was right then that I knew God wanted me to be a student at Liberty.

* God, Himself, designed my life… from before I was born – Ps. 139. If there is anything in my life that I would like to change if I could… then I am not fully trusting in God. Thank you, Bro. Bill Stamp, for that day in your Psalms class when you opened my eyes to Psalm 139. My being a “foster child” was God’s blessed gift to me. And so it has proven to be.

* I have a calling, unique, from Him.

* I have a wife who is the essence of Proverbs 31:10 – Thank you for the study of Proverbs, Fr. Sandy Carson.

* God gave Deborah and me two sons… they are alive and well. Thank you Lord. Thank you my friend, Jim Strickhausen, my Pastor at that time, when one Sunday evening, 1982, after church I said to you, “I wonder if God will give us a son.” You replied, suddenly seeing something beyond where we stood… and I could see you saw something, “Oh, He will…” So, sometimes God’s gifts are those we must wait and trust Him for. 

* My family – Both biological (Harrold, Murphy, Hilger) and adopted/foster (Palmer, Tait) is given to me… I have been allowed to minister to them all… Uncle Bernard, Len Tait, Clair Tait… Marilyn… David… All by God’s hand of Grayce (Grayce Palmer… truly a name that brings a smile to God’s face). Thanks, Mom.

   … I was privileged to lead my mother, Dorothy, to Jesus in 1974. Then, in 1987, lay my hand on hers and pray in tongues until the Holy Spirit simply lifted her spirit out of her broken and dying body. I saw it happen, and kissed her “goodbye Mom” on her forehead as she looked into my eyes. Then, she was gone. God was there.

* Deb’s and my life here in Europe is His doing. He made that plain to us both when we landed in Stuttgart, August 3, 1998. Deb was given a vision (in 1983) of a small kitchen with an arched entrance and a small table with chairs. She drew her vision and handed it to me at that time. We both recognized the view into the small kitchen at the Romerhoff Hotel that day in August. God’s “stamp” on our lives, yet again.

* Now, we await the next step. But, this morning I had a moment to walk along a wooded stream path, with my lovely wife and some pastries and coffee. Only thirty minutes, I imagine, before we both started our busy days. But, it will be a day I will recall 40 years from now… whether I am here or home, at long last. 

* So, a great many people God has brought across my path in the past 40 years. Each of them selected by Him, special people, beloved and precious to Him. Thank each of you. Thank You Jesus.

Love,

Nick40 Years Ago

Hi Guys!

  Good morning, Sam & Nathan.

  I think I’ll try ole’ Evernote in sending you guys a note every now ant then. Seems to work well on my “Facebook” account… what a world facebook – somebody comes up with an idea (twitter, e-mail, tweet) and the world jumps to its beat… most interesting.

  Christmas is coming, again. Not so long ago, there were toys gathering, trains being set up, and lots of scampering around and about the house. You guys brought an unexpected element of joy into our house… at least, I had been so far removed from that child view of Christmas that I had somehow forgotten about it until you came along. Well, I see it all around me these days – children, wide-eyed, coming into the shop. Some clinging to their parents and some more inquisitive, but all of them anticipating. One little guy, maybe two and a half or so, was in yesterday with his mom and dad. He wasn’t happy to just sit there with them, so he began to wander. I have a box of little toys and things to hand out, so I bounced a small rubber ball with a smile face on it over his way – his folks had given me the nod. He was for the better part of an hour bouncing that thing off the walls and chairs and laughing and chasing it all over the shop. Kept him plenty busy. Only one Marshall Ctr. fellow was having lunch, and he gave the matter little attention. The lad was occupied. Anyway, at the end of their time, the little fellow showed up at my knees, behind our bar, and had the ball held out to me. His mom had told him to return it (though he loved it so) and he did as she asked. Tugged at my heart… I said, “No little fella.’ That’s yours. You can keep it.” – His mom spoke to him, then, in a different language, and whatever it was, he obviously said “Thank you.” How great.

  Let’s see: You guys are going to be out and about this Christmas Season. Good on ya.’ Your mom and I were going to north England, but that has fallen through. So, I think we are going to buy each other snow shoes, perhaps this coming week, and then go snow-shoeing, by train, over in the Seefeld area on Christmas day. I have Dec. 24, 25, 26 off, so, that should be a nice experience… I think the key to enjoying this will be to dress warm.

  To that end, “warm”, Lucy is lying by a warm fire… and I have had to shed the WAY THICK house coat I inherited from Uncle Stan – I’ve never had such a warm robe as that thing is.

  Your mom is up now, and having coffee on the old couch that has seen you both through your years with us – imagine that. She says, “Your mother says ‘Hi’, she’s sitting here drinking coffee and trying to wake up.” That’s a quote.

  Well, we love you both. All in all, it has been a good life with you guys around… I’m glad we did it.

  Computer is getting stuck now – I’m about to get one of those large, self contained, Apple jobs, with a scanner and such – partly for me, and partly for the upcoming COOKY’S restaurant. That should put an end to this “freeze” foolishness. Now, to send this note to you both… hope it works!

  Merry Christmas,

and Love,

Dad & Mom

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

 1 The LORD is my shepherd;

         I shall not want.

 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

         He leads me beside the still waters.

 3 He restores my soul;

         He leads me in the paths of righteousness

         For His name’s sake.

 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

         I will fear no evil;

         For You are with me;

         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

         You anoint my head with oil;

         My cup runs over.

 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

         All the days of my life;

         And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD

         Forever.

Six verses… Oh LORD.

I have fallen so short… I have. But, in the dust and ashes of my life, I look up to You, and I see You smiling and reaching for me. You always do.

The LORD is my shepherd(that’s who you are, LORD Jesus);I shall not want(my soul “wants”… but want is not a thing that exists with You. I put my trust in you LORD Jesus… I am not worthy, I have no claim… I just come to You.)

He makes me to lie down in green pastures(You are the author of my life LORD Jesus… where I am, you have put me.);He leads me beside the still waters(that’s where I wanna’ be, oh LORD! – beside the still waters, with You).

He restores my soul(Oh LORD… does my soul so need restoring… LORD Jesus, please restore my soul); He leads me in the paths of righteousness(That’s where I am! – on the path He put me on… paths… this is one of them… I’ve been down quite a few in this life… here’s another.)For his name’s sake(So, there it is… what I do, I do for Jesus… my life should glorify His Name… I so want to be this LORD… more than anything.)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil(I guess that’s where I find myself… often in the wee hours of the morning… in the “valley of the shadow of death.” Or, so it seems to me at such a time. Things that come to the surface: The shop – is it a “looser’s” plan… will it succeed… I have only used our (Deb’s) money to keep it going for two and a half years… now, what if I start “Cookie’s” – or is that a farce… or can I even manage such a thing… even if I do get it going… or, is Helmut right? – “Those folks will just ‘laugh their way to the bank… with your money…” Looks like the “valley” has a lot of stuff in it… boulders, crags, pits and danger… but, I don’t think there is a choice… have to go through… but, THROUGH doesn’t mean STAY… LORD); For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  (Hmm – was I ever afraid when I was a little guy, and I was with my Dad? No, I don’t think so. He was a tall man, and strong. In my eyes he was able to do great things… almost limitless. That’s how kids see their dads I think. It wasn’t so, but, to protect me from harm would have been his final act if it came to it. Of that I am sure. So, God loves me even more… He says so. That being the case, knowing HE is there, knowing I can hold his hand; knowing that He is not impotent… He has a rod and a staff… I always carried a “staff” when I walked with my boys and Deb. It has a nice metal point on the end of it… could be used to run somebody or something through in a pinch. I can’t imagine that I would do anything less, if my boys or wife were threatened. Now, I am a “Dad.” And, I have a FATHER as well. He loves me. He walks with me. I am comforted by his presence and the knowledge that He desires only my good, and is capable of making that happen. “Thank you LORD Jesus for being such to me… my LORD.”)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; (Now, there’s something… God Himself prepares the place, the table from which I will dine, and doesn’t remove my enemies… they are still there… watching me dine… watching me live a life of love, joy and peace, even though they are doing the things that enemies are so good at doing. How great You are, Lord. Maybe, just maybe, some of those enemies, those who desire my harm, not my good; maybe some of them will begin to realize that it is YOU who love me… and maybe I can tell them as well… that YOU love them and want them to dine at the same table! He didn’t “wipe them out”… he invited them to “be healed” and to come and dine… same as HE invited me!

To be continued….

You anoint my head with oil;

         My cup runs over.

Now, “How about my enemies?” – Doesn’t matter. Ya’ see, The LORD, my Shepherd is the One who is running things.  I don’t have to worry about what they are doing, or what they are thinking, or what they are planning… My Shepherd is the One who is running things. He has provided for me, just as He said He would. I am dining at His table… imagine that! And, to top it off, He has poured his “oil” on my head… would that be the “oil of gladness?” He has caused my “cup” to run over. My cup is not just full, it is actually running over! “Anybody want some? I’ve got plenty and to spare… come on!”

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

         All the days of my life;

This is what I can expect from Jesus. Not some Greek god, playing tricks and trying to trip me up. Nope, He came down here and walked amongst us, to show us Who He is. To show us He loves us. 

  Nope, in a world of uncertainties… in a world of “if it looks too good to be true… it is.” He is the “rock.” He is the “cornerstone.” He is the “firm foundation.” 

  “Jesus, I cast my care upon you. I trust you.”

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

         Forever.

It is best if one can know the “end” of something before they start out on the journey. Here, we are told what the “end” is, it is, in fact the goal.

  Only yesterday, my wife and I walked along a trail around a very deep Alpine lake, the Walkensee. At a place where one might swim we came upon a stone monument which had something of the following inscribed upon it, “Here, in October 1966, Hanz and Francine died. May God’s will be done. May He keep them warm.”

  I take it, those two went swimming in the Walkensee that fateful day, and they both drowned. How very sad.

  It struck me, as there were several “monuments” here and there around that lake – folks have lived there since the mid 1700’s; “What of a day, when a person makes plans to do a certain thing, and it will, in the end, lead to their death?” Would they do it? Of course not. A thing of supposed and hoped for joy, becomes, in fact, a thing of great sorrow.

  What of a voice calling out, “Hanz and Francine! Don’t do this!”

  So it is with God, and our hope in Him. He guides us, in good paths. He protects us, and our looked for end, our expected end is to dwell with Him… FOREVER!

  Yipee! Here I come!

All Things Well! 2013

Hello Guys

Yo Sam & Nathan,

I was walking in the field tonight, next to our house and thought of you guys, and our lives overall, and a moment in time in 1976, October I believe, in which I spoke to Jesus while stepping out of the boiler room of Belcher Oil Company, Bayou Chico… at about 02:30 one day. It was my job to watch the boiler and keep the tank farm at the ready that night. I guess I was all of 22 years old… three years from marrying your mom.

Now, I was looking, tonight, at the same sky, but about 37 years later, recalling the words of that moment long ago, “Lord, for all of my life this will be my witness of you, ‘Behold, he does all things well.’” That is in the New Testament, somewhere. Someone said that of Jesus at that time. At the time I said it, your mom had just been taken from me – back to Albertville (she and her folks had moved back there after about six months living Pensacola, where I lived) – and my plans for her and me seemed to have been crushed. But, I put all I had, hope, right out there, right then. So, I do the same for the both of you.

But, even more than that, I was walking along the river back to our house tonight and saw that there was smoke coming from our chimney, drifting across the river. Your mom was home now, and had started a fire and was, no doubt preparing dinner (I got home from work before she got home from church – so I walked Lucy and spent some time under the stars… with Jesus). Then it occurred to me… He actually DID do all things well! He did that for your mom and me. He always has and I know He always will. It is so! I hope the same for you both… it has been exactly so for me. He did what he said he would.

So, guys, there is my Sunday message to you both. I will get back into this habit… I have strayed from it over the past couple of years. Actually, it is Saturday night. Ole’ Lucy is sleeping by my feet; the fire has turned to red coals, the cat is sleeping on the chair next to me, music is playing on the CD player – Irish, I believe… your mom is cooking fajitas (and has given me the “just a few minutes till dinner” warning… we will spend the evening watching a DVD in the basement, or sitting by the fire up here reading… whatever we do is OK with me… God did, indeed, do all things well for me.

God be with the both of you… and do for you what He did for me.

Love,

Dad

Dad’s Epistles 2013

Yo Guys,

  Just a note before I go to bed.

  “Epistles” simply means “writings” – so don’t get your underwear all in a bunch over it. 

  I am enjoying Mike and Linda’s visit with us. Lots to do and ten days in which to do it. Your mom took a few days off to navigate around with them… she is Mike’s “younger sister” — I have rejoiced at that over the years. Mom, “Gam” to you guys, took to her like a daughter, and to tell the truth, your mom was to my mom as any daughter might be. I think you might know that Gam was in the delivery room with us when Sam was born. Well, that’s another story… maybe I’ll tell you about it sometime.

  So, I am taking short days at the shop when possible, and the ladies are out and about with your mom on all other times. I believe they are going to try to go up the Allspitz tomorrow (Friday); then to Innsbruck on Saturday… Sunday should include a sleigh ride (after the EXPRESSO “BBQ SUNDAY”) and Monday, a trip to Dachau. What adventures!

  Well, all is well. Cold, of course, but Spring is coming… that will be my favorite time of year!

  You are both in our prayers. And, I will endeavor to write more, as I hope to keep some days and time freed up to do just that.

Love,

Dad

PS

Well, this is futuristic to me… this computer (an IMAC) just read this whole letter to me. Sounds like a guy off of 2001 Space Odyssey… but… you may already have known of such things. Wow Wee!

PPS

Can’t believe it… he just SPOKE the PS to me. What a fellow! Good night.

Funicular 2013

Yo Guys,

  So, Sunday again. That’s the day of my life… in fact, yesterday I said to myself… “I’m gonna’ spend the better part of tomorrow morning… right in my bed… I’m not gonna’ get up!” Kind of like a popular song with the Germans right now, some youngster singing, “I’m not getting up today… I’m gonna’ stay in bed all day…” and on and on. But there I was, I told myself I would do this. So I did. @08:00 Your mom came in the room and poked her head in and said, “Breakfast will be ready soon… are you ready to get up?” What a lovely girl. What a lovely lady. So, I got up and we had a marvellous breakfast of an omelette, some sort of fruit yogurt cup and coffee and toast. A wonderful time.

  It seems the EDELWEISS is dismissing all of their young ski instructors this year – no summer jobs for them. So, here they come to the EXPRESSO for employment. One, Travis, came in this week – he hadn’t enough money to fly back to the States (Edelweiss won’t pay for that) and was looking for work and a place to live (he just turned 20). It seems there is quite a number of them out there. Your mom and I talked about it… we will have Travis live in our basement until he can settle himself or fly back to the U.S., if he chooses. So it is these days.

  Well, a day of fog today I see. Gian and Sergej are manning the EXPRESSO this morning – Jake is doing the BBQ – a well loved experience for all who come by the shop on Sunday – Sarah will come in at 13:00, and Jetta (a lovely Romanian woman), will come in at 15:00 to begin the cleaning process. All is well.

  Hmm – I just lost a whole paragraph or two on the BBQ and our likeness to “Franklin’s BBQ” (Austin, Tx. – where you, Sam waited in line to save a place for us on a Sunday morning last summer) – or, so we are trying to do. Just GOOD STUFF – at a good price.

  Here’s a funny… it has been a few months, but I came home on a Monday and your mom said, “Well, what was the total for Sunday?” I replied, “About $750.00, give or take.” She said “Shut Up!” – How funny our language is these days.

  Well, the “BBQ SUNDAY” days are somewhere around the $400 range right now (winter is the slow season for us)… that’s OK, but I think we could move more toward the $1,000 mark, and probably will start that trend as the warmer weather arrives… more snow this week for us

  Yikes! This is the last time I allow some “improvements” to be added while I do anything with this program… this whole letter has disappeared at least twice while I sat here… watching the U.S. news, and enjoying the fire… nasty fog outside.

  Well, what else… hmm, I see Tiger Woods got another woman to hang out with him for a while… Good for her… Lindsey Vonn, or some such… I think she was a skier… I used to think well of her… oh well.

  So, we are hoping for Spring. Soon comes Easter… next Sunday, in fact… and then is when our time changes forward. We are planning to catch a train to Innsbruck for Easter Sunday. Your mom went on a funicular that she wants to ride again… and, the shop will be closed that day, so, it will be a nice time to get away from here and do something different.

  More trouble… re-set password… “must use different password” … on and on. Time to end this. Sorry guys… hope you have a good Sunday and week.

Love,

Dad

PS

Now, about three hours later, I have talked to Nathan – we will be glad to see you for Easter! I am sure the view from the funicular is magnificent… and we will have a sumptuous meal together… all reminiscent of Easters past.

  It is cold out there, but, I have a stout fire, and beer, and, I have somehow gotten the boiler in the basement to relight and heat the house (the landlord will have to finally fix that… and the kitchen stove… and both toilets, which leak or don’t refill very well – oh the trials of being a landlord… I was one once, with our house in Tampa).

A Tree! 2013

Hi Guys,

  What a wonderful plant you guys (and your mom) got me for Father’s Day! THANKS! That baby will go straight up to my office… he’ll sit by the big window there and do what plants do. So, thanks again.

  I recall many Father’s Days with you guys… one of them in Tampa, you were both very young – Your mom got me a card that said, “We’re up to something, Daddy!” – It had a picture of two little bears on the front. What you (and your mom) were up to was, she had used my pickup truck to go to the garden ctr. in Brandon and purchase a $60.00 mango tree. She then put it in the garden, on the other side of the little bridge over the creek there. You fellows took me by the hand and walked me to the tree (I had to have my eyes closed). I was CERTAINLY taken aback when I opened my eyes – My own mango tree! You guys were so excited and had anticipated the moment. It was lovely. (We were quite under a budget at that time… so $60 was like $600… but, it was glorious to me… all that went into such a gift.)

  Another Father’s Day, in Tallahassee, I was presented a rabbit and a bird bath – the rabbit was, is, a sprinkler. I still have both, though the pedestal of the bird bath is all that remains – I had to put a new top on it – the ice got it over here.

  Your mom is calling me for breakfast. I love you both. Again, thanks.

Love,

Dad

Schwinshaxn! 2013

Hi Fellas!

  I hope this finds the both of you doing well and in good shape. I think we did not call either of you last night in that we were both just too tired to do so… that being around nine o’clock in the evening or so… such is “old age.” Hmmm.

  Anyway, the day went well at EXPRESSO – full house from around 12:30 till 1:30 or so. I would imagine we brought in about $700, perhaps a bit less. I left the store a little past three and met up with ole’ Bro. Bob, got some bird seed for him (he buys it, but I bring it to his house) and then had a couple of beers with him at his house. He feeds hundreds of sparrows, all day long. He will be leaving here in about a month to start his new life with his brother Tom in Iowa. I guess the birds will have to find a new priest. None could love them as Bob does though.

  Your mom and I had a lovely day today. Both of us tended to paperwork for the morning, her at school and me in my upstairs office. Then, we went to OBI (now Hagebaur Markt) to look for a new plant for her fence, to replace the one that died while she was in the U.S. – not my fault… I did all I could for it). No plant available, but I did find an outdoor fireplace which I believe I will pick up later this week. We went to Oberau for lunch and ended up in Etal. We ate at the Etal restaurant (schwinehaxen for me) and then toured the monastery… and then got some cheese at the place next door.

  So, now back from the river, with your mom. She is attacking one of the bush/trees along the river – shading her view from the river. I ended up (30 min ago) cutting all of the branches down to 1 to 2 feet. I chose to throw them in the river, but your mom wanted them in the proper German refuse bucket. I got rid of as many as possible (my way) she did the same. The ducks came (wanting bread) and swam around the branches in the river to get to us – we were now sitting on the river rocks, sipping wine. I got some bread for the ducks, but your mom said the ducks said, “Who the hell threw this stuff in the water!” What a great lady she is. I love her so.

  Anyway, here we are. I think we will go sit out behind the house and have a little supper of wine and cheese. That’s all we old folks need, given we ate such a large lunch. I will mail you my AAFES stuff, if you wish to see it. It happens tomorrow.

Love,

Dad 

“Chief” 2013

So, Fellas, I wonder how you are both doing?

Your mom keeps me posted, kind of “short notes”, from time to time when she talks with you – somehow, that seems to be, usually, after eight o’clock at night… at which time I am nearing or am in fact asleep. Such was the case last night, Sam, when you were on the phone… I think your mom called you.

Anyway, today is my day off – I hope to somehow work into Sunday off as well – then I could spend some time with your mom – perhaps bike ride (still a couple of weeks before the snow starts) and/or hike or go out to lunch… some sort of nice stuff. These are pleasant enough days for us… we just need to spend some of them together.

The shop, miraculously, escaped the clutches of the AAFES folks last Tuesday, I am surprised to say. They (the guy from Stuttgart) pledged to try and help us procure meat (pork, chicken and beef) from approved sources. They tried to find an “approved source” here in Bavaria, and their search broadened all the way to Saarbrucken (nearly in France) before they found a possible source – Schroder Fleischwarenfabrik GmbH is the name of those folks. They are large, and are willing to talk with me… but I will be interested to see how they can ship two dozen 1 Kilo chickens all the way from there to here, and not charge me a fortune. Well, here’s to something, anything, positive.

Bob will leave us in about a month. He is tired, I can tell, and his brother, Tom, is quite ready to have him living in Iowa, on the golf course. They will do well together – Tom is a lovely fellow – he is kind, humble, quiet, and well loved by those with whom he has to deal – he is a retired priest as well… he has a cat named “Chief” – that should be interesting for Bob… I think they just might become really good friends… even though I’m betting Chief is not a Catholic. Bob will fly out of Germany, for the last time, October 11th, spend a week in Rome with his friend Fr. Wilks (the former Polish priest – who was heavily involved in the change of government in Poland, some years ago) then fly on to the U.S.

So, Guys. I am proud of you both. You have it in you to achieve much in this life, and that I know you will do – whatever path you choose. I am glad to be your dad. All for now – a hot bath to calm the ole’ muscles (and, I am re-reading a book Tom Spiegle gave me, “God Wants You Happy”). Then, some breakfast – your mom made some wonderful apple turnovers last night (after I went to bed at 8:00) – so I think I’ll have one of those and a fried egg, and my 5th cup of coffee… then go and get the car inspected (right front tire is BALD – I’m sure I’ll hear about that from the base inspection guy, Andy, who delights in finding some reason to “fail” folks’ inspections). Today, I have to get some tarps to cover the boat (still in the parking lot behind the Commissary) before the snow weather comes, and then come back here and try to put together a financial report for August, for Bruce – who cannot seem to think the way I do… or maybe, more likely, I don’t think like an accountant. Well, I’m glad he is there… keeping me out of trouble. Thus will be my Monday – more or less. My best to you both, and your own Monday.

Love,

Dad

Dunghill Jumpers 2013

October 20, 2013

Yo Guys,

  What a lovely day it has been… bout’ over now, it being 5:57 pm, but it was simply marvellous as I look back upon it. This was my official first day off from work on Sunday – I did so last week, but we didn’t fit the routine in that ole’ Nate was visiting, and, I had some stuff to take care of anyway. So, today was it. I am sitting out back on the broken rocker (I will have to fix one of the AAFES welds on it soon) and one of the farmer boys just went by, across the river, on his motor cycle – must be one of the dung hill jumpers – such as I have seen the two of them do in times past. I guess that must be quite a thrill, jumping a six foot hill of cow manure on your motor bike. I think I’ll leave that up to the young at heart.

  Your mom and I went to the Catholic church this morning. I was most thrilled with the lady who plays the piano, and the visiting priest, a married fellow (recently admitted to the Catholic religion, from Episcopal I believe). My hope was to have communion there, which your mom and I did. You wouldn’t know this, but that was “the first act” we did as husband and wife – so the minister, Bill Caffey, stated to those present on that day. 

  Hmmm – somehow, this “Evernote” just took a picture of me… quite interesting. Anyway, I haven’t had the opportunity to go forward and have communion with your mom since we have been attending this Catholic church – eight years I guess. Now I have. We did so together. Lovely.

  Your mom wanted to walk up the mountain to a lake above us today… I agreed to meet her there in the car, which I did. She loves “walking” – I do, provided it is on level ground and ends up where I started. So, we walked “around” the lake, she started back down the mountain and I walked back to the car. I also went to the shop (about 10 minutes) to check on the refrigerators and general condition of the place – some of the guys from the PX will be using it tonight to watch the football game (U.S.) on AFN. They have a good time there, and I’m not open… everybody does OK.

  We are enjoying life. I miss not having you two around… twice as long would have been better for me… but not so for you I imagine. Well, I had you in my arms and life for the time given… I am glad for that.

  Matt, the guy from IT at the EDELWEISS, came to the shop for about an hour yesterday evening to install my new router from Deutsch Telekom. He had some trouble with the phone lines, but now I have a faster, bigger system and all the stuff works with the same codes and all, just as it did. Nathan helped me talk with the Telekom folks last Monday – thanks Nathan. I will visit them again tomorrow to get them to increase the speed pf the router, now that all is done.

  The EXPRESSO BBQ is now on Saturday and has been running in the $400 + range. Not so terrible, considering the way things have gone for the U.S. economy of late. I plan to maintain my 5 days a week status for the winter, and add the bar when I can get enough bar tenders, and then go for a new contract under MWR, assuming there is even anything left here in Europe.

  So, fellas. Ole’ Lucy needs to be fed. Your mom needs to be awakened… she is napping upstairs… I don’t think she intends to spend the entire afternoon/evening sleeping, though, she has been feeling poorly all week – a cold, which settled in her chest… that seems to happen to her from time to time. She is better though.

  I love you both. I will send you some pictures, from Don Stewart, of some WWII aircraft – there are more pictures there than you may want to see…but, they are very good.

  God be with you,

Love,

Dad

Memoirs

November 16, 2013

   Now I know. God is calling me… it is time, now, to begin this final walk in my life. I’ve been up since 04:00, writing, praying, reading in Jeremiah and in II Tim. It is time. I know that. Time to lay things down, and pick up others. Time to “fan into flame”, as Paul admonished Timothy. I know that I must do this… I want this… more than all else. The words of Paul “… Whose I am and Whom I serve…” are the greatest a man can state. I want this. In all things; all places; in all.

AMEN

Christmas Time

Hi Guys,

  So, here it is Christmas again. I wish the best of times to you both. I am glad you both have “somebody” to laugh and love and be with. I couldn’t imagine life without your mom. She is, to be sure, God’s answer to my prayers of long ago. May the ones you have chosen be loving, kind, and gentle to and with you. And, may you be the same to them. 

  Now, I can look back over the years, the many Christmas’ together. I remarked to your mom the other day, “I think the Christmas of 2003 was our best one in many ways. It was skimpy, you may recall. Your Christmas dinner was simply bread and a little cheese and some wine, I think. I don’t think your mom and I got any of the cheese. I had arranged (by mistake) to maroon us on the island of Pico for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The day after Christmas was TRULY a present! Wowee – real food for us to eat, on the island of Faial. Good ole’ “Peter’s Cafe’ Sport”!

  I love you both. I am glad God put you in our lives; allowed us to be your parents (quite a privilege), and now, we can watch you from a distance; pray for you – talk to God and each other about you… every day. Such is the life of a parent. I don’t know what other folks do, when there are no kids… no point, really. May God bless you both with such a gift as he as us. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Dad

Yo Guys

Hi Guys,

  Good to be writing to you… and this time on my IMAC… so it won’t fail, as the other one does.

  I’ve been reading a bit of Walt Whitman out on the balcony in the sunlight. So, the sun is now gone, and I have come in.

  It is the end of the day. We went to Mass this morning, it was nice. I spoke with Bro. Stephan (Swiss priest; English w/ a touch of Irish mixed in) about coming over for lunch one day. I think I might take him out for a schwein haxen and a beer next Sunday. He commutes between Munich and here every Sunday. A nice guy. I think, one I would like to get to know. As well, I may pick up on my writings “The Catholic” which I started under the New England writer’s college some years ago. I would need to visit an actual monastery some time… perhaps ole’ Stephan would be the way to do that. The end of the story is a good one, though the start of it is not. I think I could do that, and show the wonder of God’s grace in life. The story is that of Helmut, partly. Well, we’ll see – but that is not the reason for the lunch together… I think no one is tending to him. We will have him and the Kane family over for lunch one Sunday, probably in February I would imagine. Your mom will practice making her wonderful lamb dish in preparation for that visit. She is, in fact, doing just that right now. I smell the wonderful lamb aroma drifting up to my office! Wowee! But, I have to wait a couple of more hours I think.

  So, I hope you both are doing well. I understand you, Nathan, got a raise from the firm you work for. Good on ya! One of these days I will get a raise… your mom is always on my case about paying myself… I will. I will. Usually, OK twice in the past seven years, I manage to pay myself $500.00 per month. Well, Bruce (the accountant) has gotten nothing (he tore up a check I sent him once). The lawyer, Brian, has never made anything either. But, the income yesterday for “BBQ Saturday” was over $600. So, somebody should make something pretty soon!

  I’m rambling… I realize that. All is well here. We took Lucy to the VET on Friday evening (Farchant) to have her put to sleep. It seemed we were at the end. But don’t you know, she perked up, drank water (hadn’t in two days) and ate food from the VET’s hand! The VET gave Lucy a shot and some heart medication and said, “Not yet.” She even came to our house later that night (your mom left her coat in the VET’s office) and had a look at Lucy. At that time, Lucy was lying in the back yard and I was grilling some steaks – that is “natural habitat” for the both of us. I think the VET was satisfied.

  Well my fine sons; God be with you both. I love you; think of you often; and pray for you both often as well.

Dad

Dennis

Hi Ya Dennis,

  I’m looking at your Christmas card picture… lots of smiles… faces I remember, and some I have not met. Bernie looks just as I recall her back when we all became friends in 1987. In fact, Juliette and her husband seem to be the same age, and their little one, when you and I met. How did we get to be old geezers? 

  So, I’m writing a book, “The End.” Nice title, don’t you think? Your letters to me (if you like) will be in it. In fact, this is the start. Imagine that!

  Now, on the lighter side… in fact, not light at all… you seem to have gained a bit of weight – judging by the picture. I think you and I and Dave and your future son-in-laws were having a beer and a cigar (compliments of the beer emporium) out on your dock one night. Would that have been the Summer of 2009? You seem, now, as jolly as ever in my memory. Good on ya!

  I’ll see if you answer this, or simply say, “That silly Nick. I’ve heard this kind of stuff from him before. I’ll not involve myself in his foolishness.”

  Hopefully, that won’t be your sentiment. I’d like to correspond with you, and Dave, and Brad. God has done things in our lives – very good things. Eternally, what else is there? For the present, I enjoy putting my right hand in his and walking through the day. I think I read a Psalm to that end, in fact maybe using those very words. I’ll look it up and let you know if we talk again.

  God be with you and your lovely family… as we journey to the end… which, I need not tell you, is just the Beginning!

Your friend in Christ,

Nick

Bro. Bob

Yo Bro. Bob,

  It strikes me, you may not want to do this, but this letter is a part of my book, “The End”. I am including some correspondence with some friends – you happen to be one of them. If you’d like to be a part of it… I’d be glad to have you. You have been a friend to me and Deb in some of our darkest hours. So, non-the-less, I thank you for your presence in our lives. I’d like to include some of your words.         

  We took Lucy to the VET in Farchant to have her put to sleep last Friday evening (16:00 hrs). I told Deb, as I unloaded Lucy from the car… “Well, some day you will be getting me out of the car to go and get ‘the shot.’” 

  Deb said, “Well, it won’t be a ‘VET’.” 

  Now, that’s comforting.

  The end of that excursion was, the VET wanted Lucy to go to Weilheim and get a sonogram. I said, “No.” “We came here with two possibilities: Either you put Lucy to sleep; or, we take her home.”

  Don’t you know, Lucy began drinking the VET’s water and eating treats from her hand. She then devoured a whole can of “Duck” dog food. The VET gave her a shot for pain, and then some capsule contents for her heart, a sort of dog digitalis. So, Lucy came home hopping and skipping. The VET showed up at our house at about seven in the evening to deliver Deb’s coat, which she left in the office. The VET was amused, I think, to see that Lucy was in the back yard watching me cook steaks on the BBQ. End of the day. It turned out better than I thought.

  So, this is my first letter to you pertaining to “The End”. I have another book in the making, but that will take some time and planning. You provided the end for that book – the bell that wouldn’t ring. I kept your notes, from that moment at the Grill Rustico. I hope to do something with it… I think it would be a good thing.

  All for now. A bit more to do tonight in regards to my bill paying for EXPRESSO; and, for an invite to the new Priest, Bro. Stephen, for some lunch at the Stube that you and I and Deb went to a time or two, “Braustube” I think is the name. 

  God be with you.

Love,

Nick & Deb

1976

Yo Guys,

  Well, here it is your Mom’s 54th Birthday. Wowee – how time flies. This will just be a short note, but I thought you ought to know that today, 38 years ago, I started to date (court) your Mom. Yep… I did it strategically… I brought a bouquet of flowers to her 16th birthday celebration at her folks house in Albertville, Al. It was a great evening. I met with a church parishioner whose husband had died a few weeks earlier and had the flowers in the car with the engine running. I told her, “(Mildred) I can’t stay very long as I have some flowers in the car and the engine is running.” She asked me, “Who are they for?” I told her, “Debbie Weaver. It is her 16th birthday.” Mildred looked at me with a knowing smile and said, “Oh!”. 

  So, there you have it guys. The beginning of my own adventure in life. It has been the greatest any guy could ask for. And, you both have been a part of it. Thanks!

Love,

Dad         

Sunday March 16

Hi Guys,

  Sunday again… and a note from Dad. I’m sure you’re glad!

  I went by the shop after church this morning ( Bro. Stepahne’s homily was a good one … “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”). The shop was in good shape… Geta, the gal from Romania, came by at 05:00 – so her time card says – and cleaned and mopped it all. Wow. {I see, by looking out the window, your mom’s favorite tree – a cherry blossom, I think- is getting ready to bud. Lots of pretty pink flowers in the making.} 

  Hmm – I can’t recall one single item that sticks out to me from that homilie this morning… maybe I will as I go along in this letter to you guys. We did, though, enjoy having communion with everybody else. Bro. Bob asked me not to come up for communion, along with your mom, but particularly me, myself; because he thought some in the congregation might be offended that a “non-Catholic” was having communion. We adhered to that thought. though it rubbed me raw – that (communion) being the first thing your mom and I did after being married). Anyway, I enjoyed the time there, and the time with your mom and having communion together. Our being in God’s presence makes all the difference in the end of the week prior and the start of the new week. 

  Your mom just went out to plant seeds in her sprouter I got her a few years ago… she starts plants in it and then puts the plants outside when they are ready. She’s a lovely girl (to me). All her ways are so dear.

  I cut the tops of the evergreen trees off Friday – about 10′ of every tree… I guess 10 or 12 trees. I am burning (right now) the evergreen tops in our wood burning stove… lots of flame… a fair amount of smoke outside as well. But, a good use for the stuff. Your mom has been after me to cut the trees up… oops… I see the wind has changed out of the NE – that means the heavy smoke is filling the neighborhood, instead of going down the river and across the pasture land. I’ll have to end my “trash burn” till the sun goes down.

  Anyway, it turns out the neighbors (my next-door neighbor, Volker Judd ((Chief of Medicine for Bavaria)) in particular) are quite happy to have me cut the trees down. Volker hailed me as I returned from walking Lucy along the river Friday afternoon. He had his electric chain saw across his lap and a beer in his hand. He wanted to help me cut the trees down (I think his wife was prompting him to do so – Uta is her name) and wanted to help me… now. I had started cutting them with a hand saw and didn’t feel like continuing the process… that was about a month ago. So here he was. And, by the time your mom got home, all the trees were lying in the yard!

  Volker tells me, as Minister of Health, he will be hosting the Obama visit to Bavaria next year about now. The G-8 summit will be in the old hotel, out from Kleiss. Volker is in charge of health.

  So it is… life in the big times. We were sorry to hear of David Brenner’s death today… 78 year old… how could that be? Seems like all the great ones are going now.

  30 Years ago, Uncle Larry came to live with us in Fairhope. He was with me in business for five years – two in Alabama and three more in Tampa, Fl. I sure did love Larry. I miss him.

  All for now fellas. I hope you are both doing well. I think we will try to call you both this evening.

Love,

Dad

Yo Sam,

Hi Guy! I thought I’d write to you and Nathan separately this time… you both seem to be traveling in different circles. So, I’ll try a short note to you, and then another to Nathan… I imagine I’ll write to him on Monday though.

Hmm… if this HP keeps freezing up like this, I may have time to walk Lucy along the river and then come back and write some more. That’s the characteristic about the HP … OK – now I’m back again – I think some “downloading” is going on at the same time. As I was saying, this computer gives me time to go and get a cup of coffee, do the laundry or poke my head out-of-doors from time to time. The IMAC is upstairs, and I’m down by the fire, looking out at the snow falling – big cotton ball type of snow right now. I’ll walk Lucy in it, in a bit.

All is well here. Your mom is taking a nap (I made that mistake last Sunday – asleep about 17:30 then woke up at eight or so and slept again till midnight. I don’t like that sort of evening – so I’ll keep the 20:00 or 22:00 bedtime schedule.

I talked to the lady at the Bed and Breakfast place near your apartment last night. We now have a room there for five nights. It looks like a really nice place, and she sounds to be a pleasant person. So, thanks for guiding us in that direction. We are looking forward to the visit. On that note, you need not remove yourself from your normal life totally, as I have known you to do. We will be happy to have time with you, and Emily of course, as you can fit us into your schedule. One thing I hope to do is head over to that German town again and look at the military museum, and order the steer horns from that shop. Otherwise, some time hanging out in Austin, maybe a visit to one of those jazz night clubs, some BBQ and a trip to “Tears Of Joy” is all we are thinking about. Our first trip there, you had us booked into something every day – “Duck Tours”, a movie, a play, dinner and so on. It was great fun, but I’m thinking your life right now probably is more demanding.

Well, anyway, we are looking forward to the visit. Not to mention getting to meet the newest member of your family. Say, we’re even now – Lucy and Kitty McFly / Milo and Tom. Wowee! But, I think we’ll most likely have ole’ Lucy put to sleep in June, before we come your way. I’m pretty sure she told me the other day she is about ready to go. It’s OK – she’ll be 15 in May.

In keeping with the short note idea, and before this machine pauses for yet another two or three minutes… I’ll end here and go walk the dog – still snowing – still light!

Love,

Dad

G’Day Nathan

Hi Fella,

  I hope this finds you doing well… even seeing some sunny days – such as it is here right now, although it snowed all night and brought us 6″ in the morning… and a delay for your mom in going to school. That was a nice touch to the day; we managed to have breakfast together, as well as laugh about this and that. Although, much of what I am seeing on the news today is disturbing.

  Your dog was out in the yard eating snow today. She hasn’t been able to do that for some weeks, or even months I guess. I mentioned to Sam that we plan to have her put to sleep sometime in June, before we leave for the States in July. She’s doing OK, what with 100 Euro worth of pain and heart medication a month, but her time is running out, I am sure. Well, 15 years is a ripe old age for any dog.

  I can’t recall off hand what your mom has told me about your schooling, work and life across the border from us. I do know your hours at work have increased quite a bit, what with the Qatar Sunday conferences.  Perhaps we will come for a visit and spend the night in the Weiss Hotel before long – we will, of course, have to find someone to take care of the animals. Preston is to watch the house during the month of July. I think he wants to, and I think he enjoys it. Lucy would be too much for him though, and if she died while we were gone he wouldn’t know what to do. 

  Well, a fellow is due here to have a look at our leaking roof in just a bit. I think I’ll walk Lucy and then go upstairs and work on some paperwork… perhaps do the payroll, before he comes.

  Best to you guy! If you like, you can come over our way any time. It is always good to see you. I have Sunday and Monday off, but I am pretty much the only one working from Tuesday through Saturday, as I have had to cut back on the payroll hours to catch up on some other bills.

  See ya sometime. We love you.

Dad

Yo Guys – Monday March 31st, 2014

Yo Fellas,

  This’ll have to be a joint letter to the both of you… after whiling away the hours this morning, I have something of a schedule to catch up with. Sad, for my “day off” – but, I have enjoyed it. 

  “Spring cleaning” at the dentist office was first in order at 08:15. That went well, no cavities. I hope you guys are keeping up with such. It’s good to have teeth at age 60, though I didn’t think I wouldn’t have along the way.

  Wind is out of the north now, looks to be about 20mph. Deb got me a weather station for Christmas (an old man item) and I mounted it on a newly cut tree from our side yard. It sticks way up there now, and I calibrated yesterday to point in the direction of the wind. So, there it stands, on duty, doing what it’s supposed to do! Your mom was looking at it sticking up into the sky yesterday after the final installation… (she was planting flowers) – I said, “Yea, I know, ‘It’s an old man thing.’” Your mom said, “No… it is a ‘Nick’ thing.” Well, that’s good enough I suppose. 

  Sam, it seems Thomas is getting the upper hand on you – forcing you to buy food dispensing items and all. Gotta watch out for that … cats will take over if you bend just a little. Thomas won’t get overly fat if you leave dry cat food out – it isn’t all that good, and he will eat only as much as he needs to. I’ll try to attach a picture of your mom’s cat to this… I discovered the suspected “bent” is very much in place in that cat. Hopefully, that isn’t true for Thomas. {It can’t have passed you that your cat’s name is the same as your own middle name!}

  Nathan, your mom tells me she interrupted your pic-nic with Sofie when she called last week. I’m glad you both have a gal. It would be sorrow to us to think of you being alone. God’s greatest gift to me, aside from life itself, is your mom. I am amazed at how short childhood really is – my mom and dad filled that position and gave me my life. I left home at age 18. That seemed an enormous amount of time – well, it was. It was all of my life. But now, your mom and I will celebrate thirty-five years of marriage in thirteen more days. I cannot believe it has been so long… further, I cannot believe she said “yes” to me. What a great and lovely woman. Danke Gott.

  Your mom and I took a hike up the waterfall behind Farchant yesterday, after Mass. I’ll try to stick a picture of that in here as well, if ya’ like. I figure we walked about two and a half hours – up, mostly. We sat on a grassy slope to have lunch, and then hiked up a little further. We were up to the snow line – if you consider the north slope – where we were was on the west and south exposure, so lots of sun, some birds and a nice breeze. It was altogether lovely to be up there with her. I think we plan to go to the Walkensee next Monday, as that starts your mom’s Spring Break. It may be, Nathan, you will come over this way for a visit at that time. I hope you do!

  So, Fellas, you are men now. It is a privilege to be your dad. 

  The ole’ wind meter is spinning now, and the loose branches on the tree trunk are waving in the wind. Must mean the normal valley breeze is in its place. I then should go up to my office and get in my place (behind my desk and computer) and produce the payroll for tomorrow and the new Bar menu for Expresso (starts Friday) and the real menu for the week days… I’ve had the Menu covers, but never have done anything about it. Hmm, that must point to something or other… probably like a “Nick thing.”

  God’s blessing on you both, on those you love, and on what you do.

Love,

Dad

PS

I’ll try to stick the pictures in an e-mail… I don’t see the way to attach anything to EVERNOTE… and, I believe those pictures are only on the IMAC. So it is.

Monday April 7th

Hi Fellas,

  So, here I am… writing to you both at the same time… sitting out back by the BBQ grill… waiting for your mom to come out with the turkey breasts for the evening meal cook-out.

  This’ll be short – I think that will suit you both. Your mom and I went for a walk and a pic-nic around the Walkensee this morning… it was lovely – so was she – beer and a sandwich and then a leisurely stroll back to the car. We stopped at a couple of places in G-P to get some dirt and some wild flower seeds, then home, and we both slept in the sun for about an hour on the lawn chairs out in the yard. That sunshine SURE did feel good!

  This evening we took a bike ride into Garmisch, and now I am fixin’ to grill out. Wowee… what a day!

  Your mom is on her Spring break now (I am glad just to know she can do fun things during the day… tomorrow I go back to the EXPRESSO shop… oh well). I think she will spend some time with some of her friends and visit the gym most every day. She is really into the sauna and “cold dip” these days. I did that about a month ago… it wasn’t so bad… I lived.

  OK – end of the day… and end of this letter.

Love to you both,

from us

Dad (&Mom)

Joint Note

Hi Fellas,

  A joint note to you both again… it is almost Garrison Keilor time, so I’ll talk to both of you, pretty much of all of this is applicable anyway.

  Your mom and I enjoyed Mass this morning with our Swiss Guard priest, Stephane. He is a lovely man – reminds me of the guy on “Green Card.” So, a ride home in the rain… now some sun… mostly fog… some frost on the trees on the Wank across the river. That’s OK – I have a fire going, and, your mom has gone up to lie in bed, then come down and we will feast on a freshly butchered and delivered lamb. Yum! I have developed a taste for “little lambs eat ivy” – sad but true.

  Ahh… a good enough time with Garrison… and now your mom is down stairs – and seems to be rummaging around in the kitchen. Lots of frost on the trees up on the Wank… sunshine and 70 degrees is coming tomorrow.

  So, now it is about 2:20pm. The sun is shining on our house (not on the Wank), the lamb was “melt in your mouth” good! A good Sunday.

  Our neighbors across the street, Kirt and Giesela, stopped to talk as they walked along the river behind our house (I was putting scraps in Lucy’s bowl out back). It seems the Germans are all excited about the G-8 (maybe G-7… given Putin’s misbehavior of late) summit in Kruhn. They had to ask me how I felt about Obama coming here… then, they wanted to know how the shop was doing and when I would be starting the BBQ again, etc. It is good to have neighbors who are so intimate with us. I like them all and wonder at the place we fill in life – your mom and me… doing what we do.

  So, a Sunday winds along. I think I’ll go upstairs and sip on some red wine and enjoy the scenery out from our balcony or my office balcony. The wind is from the north (@8.9mph according to my meter), so the south balcony, our bedroom, might be the better choice.

  God be with you both. I was reminded today: it was 27 years ago that your mom and I and baby Sam flew to Indiana to bury Grandmother Harrold. I did see her departure from this earth… I mentioned it to your mom today.  I looked out the hospital large hall window and saw what appeared to be a shooting star, only going in reverse, at about six pm. Your mom told me later that she was fixing her hair in Grandmother Harrold’s bathroom and heard baby Sam “talking to someone” – such babbling as baby’s do, and their mother’s are quite attentive to. Deb went into the living room to find Sam alone, sitting there and laughing and carrying on… with no visible person.

  So, my mother came to have a last look and then went on.

  A good day to you both. 

We love you,

Dad & Mom 

Pastor Ryan

Hello My Five Friends,

I encountered a pastor friend of mine today, along the walking street in Garmisch. I was so uplifted by what he told me I knew I had to share it with the five of you (actually, Six now, in that Col. Kane is soon to leave Garmisch and therefore I won’t have the privilege of his company).

Ryan’s ministry here (not self appointed – it just happens as God sends immigrants his way ~ usually from the countries in Africa but also some from Syria, etc.) is almost always short term with his flock – usually about three months, give or take. Then, these folks are relocated to some other part of Germany, and the seed he plants in them sprouts in other places. I have watched Pastor Ryan for some years now – it is always the same – it is he of whom it is spoken, “Some plant… others reap.”

So, Ryan does spend time in the hospital with refugees who are there for one reason or another. Because of this, the hospital staff know of him. Recently Ryan was praying daily with an immigrant who had had an operation. In time he was released. It wasn’t a week later that one of the psychiatric staff called Ryan and said, “I wonder, Pastor, if you could come and talk with us, we have a patient here who claims he “sees things” in his room. We don’t actually know what to do with this.” Ryan told them “yes”, and that he would be there in an hour.

One of the psychiatrists on staff had Ryan in their office and explained that the man, an immigrant from Africa, had been sent to them by a hospital north of Munich. The man, at work, kept telling his employer he was seeing “things” coming out of the wall. Unable to help him in Munich, they sent him to this psychiatric ward. “Things” didn’t improve, so, knowing that Ryan had some history with the immigrants they called for him.

Here’s the great part, Ryan is not one to mince words. To that end he told the Psychiatrist, “Well, yes, I am familiar with such things, and what I am about to tell you of my manor of dealing with them I don’t believe you will appreciate. So, he went on to tell the Dr. about the authority of the Bible and his own use of God’s Word with those he ministers to. Ryan said to me, “I told them my methods for such as this are quite different than yours, and, it is probable you won’t agree with them or me.” Ryan was certain the Dr. would dismiss him at that point, but he did not. In fact he said, “Pastor, would you be interested in talking to this man?” Ryan replied, “Yes I would.” Whereupon he was led to a private conference room and was then introduced to the patient.

Ryan told me the patient’s name, but I don’t recall it – just a first name, of course, and not all that unusual.

They left Ryan with the patient for quite some time, perhaps an hour or so. The man spoke to Ryan of his own childhood, in which he, being five years old, was the son of the village Chief, who was also a witch doctor. The child was forced to attend many witchcraft “acts”, in which he was cut with a knife – he showed Ryan the marks on his body – Ryan was aghast at the cruelty. In time, the child’s father died, and the mother took him and his younger brother to another village where they settled down and she joined a church there and became a Christian. Not content with the mother’s fleeing the previous village, searches were done to locate her. When she was found, the men from the previous village chopped his ten year old, younger brother, to death with machetes.

I don’t recall how Ryan said the fellow and his mother escaped, or if she herself was killed as well. But, in time the now young man fled from Africa and ended up in Germany, as so many have done of late. He then told Ryan, “I am a Christian. My mother was a Christian, so I am one too. I don’t want to see these ‘things’ coming out of the walls. I want them to stop!”

Ryan asked the man if he was really a Christian, because one must ask Jesus into one’s own life. He then shared the lovely Scriptures on salvation with the man. He told him, “If you are a Christian, then the first thing you will have to deal with is ‘fear,’ because the Bible tells us that God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Their time was up. Knowing Ryan, I am sure he prayed with the man before departing. He didn’t return until the following week, and what do you think he found? “A completely different person.”

The man, it seems, thought things over after Ryan left and came to the conclusion that he actually didn’t know Jesus and had never asked him into his heart. So he did!

He immediately realised all of those “things” were now gone! He was so excited that he would grab anyone who would listen and exclaim with the most exuberant joy, “Jesus is in my heart. Jesus healed me!” This he did to the other patients in the ward, and the staff and the doctors. They were totally dumbfounded, and quite happy, that this miracle had happened. This man was, indeed, a new creation!

Ryan himself, though not surprised that Jesus had delivered this man from demons, was, as you can imagine, overjoyed as well. The man was soon released and returned to the village north of Munich from whence he came, and to his original job. Ryan commented with a smile, “You know, I’m quite sure he is telling anybody who will listen what Jesus did for him!”

There you have it, dear brothers. I hope you are as encouraged as I about this. My meeting with Ryan was “circumstantial” today. I was heading through a pre-Christmas crowd, down a walking street to my car, which I was sure had timed out on the parking meter. Out of nowhere came this gloved hand to shake mine, and a voice, “Well hello brother Nick. Good to see you.”

That is how God works. I am so glad to be His… and share His Good News!

Love in Christ, Brothers,

Nick

PS

I didn’t get a parking ticket either.

Sugared Pineapple

Yo Guys June 9th!

Hi Fellas,

  I got a special blessing today… your mom forgot something at home (sugared pineapple pieces for a cooking project with the kids today) so she came home and I got to say “goodbye” to her a second time! How lovely.

  My day off, today. God sent an Amsel to sing just to me behind the house… a beautiful morning, what with the river flowing, the sun shining, and that pretty voiced bird, singing just across the river in one of the trees over there. Maybe I’ll send a picture with this note.

  It’s about 07:30… I will go for my walk along the river shortly. That is my time to talk to Jesus – about the both of you, actually – and to pray against abortion and the forces within that accursed thing. It is my job to do so… It was Lucy’s job to accompany me, but now she is gone on so I must carry on, alone. She used to walk in the forests around Boblingen with me, doing the same thing… most every day… same with the Azores. She was my “prayer buddy”, and she knew it. A good dog by any standard.

  Things seem to be coming together for our trip to the U.S. I did have an Army Vet for a month in training, Rick was his name. He was a victim of an IED in Afghanistan, and I thought the perfect choice for this shop, and maybe others. Rick had a change of mind a couple of weeks ago, so, now I have Lindsay, a Canadian Pediatrics R.N., who has agreed to take the shop while I am away. She seems a lovely young lady, is employed by Jake with his tour company, and gets along well with the customers and other workers. She used to run a coffee shop (a big one) in Vancouver.

  So, there it is for me. On into the morning… maybe water the flowers while it is still early; make an egg sandwich (w/ a slice of cheese on it… what do you think? – Somebody put one of those big electric slicers in my dumpster at the shop – it looks bran new! Works great!); another cup or two of coffee… then a walk and a prayer.

  We love you both. A new life started for your mom and me when you were born.

Love,

Dad 

The Wank

Hi Sam & Nathan,

  I couldn’t help but write to you… I should be doing the payroll right now, but, your mom tells me she won’t be home for another hour and a half, so I have time to do this before spending time with her – my favorite time!

  The Cuckoos arrived yesterday morning, or at least that is when I began hearing them. We had our first sunny day in about two weeks of rain, so they may have been here but just had nothing to say. Anyway, I heard them while sitting behind the house Sunday morning, and now again this afternoon. I imagine they are quite noisy over at the golf course (which was given back to the German government last year… and now nobody uses it till they find a proper owner). Anyway, the cuckoos have returned! A sure sign of Spring.

  I’ll try to include a couple of photos off my office balcony. The waterfall on the mountain next to the Wank is quite large right now… I guess it would be after all of the rain.

  We are trudging along as we do. I think I have a couple of guys who will take care of the shop while we are absent in July. Looks as though Lucy will go see the VET on Thursday, to be put to sleep. I think she has gone about as far as she is able… kind of nervous these days and fretful, it seems, and worried. She’s not up to things and she knows it. It is time, for her and for our sakes. So Thursday morning is the likely time. We’ll let you both know though.

  Our days are pretty much as you might guess: Go to work; Come home; Walk around the yard with a glass of wine or beer; Dinner; Maybe a movie or just reading; To bed… and then back up in the morning. Not so bad, really. We are looking forward to seeing you, Nathan, this weekend; and you, Sam, in July. 

  OK… I now must put some batteries in my pencil sharpener; crank up the calculator and begin the process of compiling payroll. It has been in the $1200 to $1300 range for the past couple of months or so. I imagine it will be larger now, since I brought on a Army Vet (his fellow soldiers were blown up in Iraq in about 2005 or so). His name is Rick. He held up well under the first BBQ of the year last Saturday. We almost reached $800 (by $5.00). That’s really good for us. We are running between 200 and 300 dollars per day otherwise. So, things should be becoming more stable. As well, I should be able to bring some money home to your mom. That I will have to do!

  We love you both,

Dad & (of course) Your Mom

PS

Take special note of my wind meter, cleverly mounted atop the branch/tree your mom had me cut down on the other side of the yard. Very clever!

Another Sunday

Hi Guys,

  So, here it is, another Sunday. Your mom and I went to Mass this morning, slept in till 07:00! That’s pretty good for old folks, I am beginning to find out.

  Mass was good – Fr. Stephan spoke of going about our weekly lives in the manner of Jesus going to the cross. That fits my life – some folks are hard to tolerate… but that is my job. Well, a good sermon from a lovely fellow.

  After Mass, I joined two young lads in counting the money (Catholic church offering). There are “rules” to such, and I was told to “do this” and “do that”… I have become, somehow, the “old guy” now. How funny it seems to me… these youngsters, doing as they do. I started counting the Garmisch Chapel money ten years ago – and at that time I took it to our house on Monday; photocopied the reports, sent them to HQ, and deposited the money in the bank… myself. Let’s see, these fellows were about thirteen or so back then. Well, I will do what comes my way, be it ever so annoying at times.

  We had a “hale and farewell” lunch at the Phlegersee restaurant (up above our house) for Frank and Connie Kislinn (they are both retired Colonels and are leaving Garmisch after 13 years for a life in Alaska, where they bought a house with some acreage). It occurs to me, it takes some years to establish a friendship, and then when those friends depart, there is a hole, and some years are required to fill that hole in. Most of my friends my age are now leaving here, or have already left. I am sorry to see this, in a way… but life must go on and none of us intended for this place to be our final destination. So, I bid them farewell. And, continue on.

  There you have some thoughts from your “old man.” Don’t know how I achieved that status “old man”, but I am increasingly aware of it. It will be your own title in time… imagine that!

  I came home from the luncheon this afternoon, listened to a bit of Garrison Keillor with your mom and then fed the fish out back. Your mom wanted a fire (60 degrees outside) so that is burning, she is taking an oil bath, and I’m down here. There you have it.

  We have, you may know, a new couch in the living room. As we took the old one to the dump (for 18 Euro) and got this one from the 2nd hand store… it is a nice, black, leather couch. Your mom has looked (on line – you’ll be proud of that Sam) for the proper way to remove cigarette smoke smell from leather. So, she has been rubbing it down with vinegar and water, rubbing it down with saddle soap, and leaving the living room windows open. The cigarette smell has diminished somewhat, it is nice to sit on, and it only cost 89 Euro, plus 10 Euro delivery. I would have used Gloria (the Army truck) to get the couch, only Col. Frank used her the entire month of July to haul stuff to the dump while we were on vacation, and now she has an overheating problem (water pump, I imagine), so she is at “car repair” on the base, awaiting the next salvo of repair parts and work. I think I won’t be handing Gloria out to folks from now on. They are happy to use her… but I have to fix her… and pay for the repairs. Friends… what would we do without them!

  Your mom’s cat has gotten a lot friendlier since Lucy died. “Go figure” as they say. Doesn’t matter to me – the poor little beast would be living in the warehouse next to my shop (or dead) if your mom hadn’t taken her in as a kitten. She is a feral cat though, that is plane to see. However, she did come with me on one of my morning prayer walks along the river the other day. That was Lucy’s job, so, maybe she is stepping in there!

  So, I’ve said enough. You have things to do, and I think I’ll read a bit of Tolkien’s “Letters From Father Christmas” now. I actually prefer fiction to the things I see going on these days. I will do the things handed to me… they aren’t much, but I can do them. A good cup of coffee in the morning is as good a thing as some folks need at that moment. I can do that.

Love,

Dad

Kean’s Lodge

Sept. 7, 2014… Yo Guy’s

Well Fellas… maybe you’ll read this,

  Sunday again… and a good one. We’ve put your mom’s “new” (bought it at the second hand store) couch out back to air out in the sun – but now I see the rain is coming, so I see on the Wank – I’ll have to go get her out of the kitchen so we can move it back into the house. {The couch smells of cigarette smoke – not REAL bad, but sort of… so we are working on that.}

  Now the couch is back in the house. I sent you a few photos of the day. The rain has come and gone a few times… sunshine and some rain… all at the same time!

  We’ve had a good day. It is only 3:30pm, but I think I will close this for now.

  Yesterday was the last “Fat Tire Race” at the Kean’s Lodge. The Lodge goes back to the Germans tomorrow. I was to be the Food and Beverage supplier for that – we made $1,000.00 that day. So it is.

  I love you both. God be with you.

Dad

Camera Preview

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Hi Guys,

I’m awaiting a call from Aunt Nancy, shortly, in order to go to her house and do some painting ~ I’m visiting her for a few days; your Mom is finishing up with school now, and will fly to Tallahassee to assist me in care for Marilyn, and no doubt a visit with the Weaver clan.

This picture is from the Summer of 2014. Your Mom and I thought that by baking this leather couch in the sun we might remove the cigarette odor from it. I think Nathan and I bought it from the 2nd Hand Store.

Our lives were to take a drastic turn the end of that year. Uncle Tom would die in December and your Grandmother Weaver would die in January. Such is life. We try to grasp it, but doing that is like trying to grab a fistful of oil… it just slips away, no matter. I think that’s what taking pictures is all about – trying to hang on to some day or moment.

Of course, just the opposite of that is true as well. Finding yourself in an unfavorable time or position, you may well say, “OK, this will pass.” I’ve been in a few of those as well. But, good or bad, they all do pass.

So, Aunt Nancy just called… in her frantic and confused way. We will go buy the paint and brushes. I will paint today (I have beer in the trunk of my car – that should help… I’ll buy hamburgers at noon, that will help also.).

Good bye Fellas. A good day to you both. A “photo” kind of day! 

Love,

Dad2014-09-07

Bonhoeffer

Monday Sept. 22, 2014

Hi Fellas,

  I thought I’d write to the two of you this morning, about 09:00, before I leave on my errands for the day. I seem to have a bunch of them, and I don’t suppose I’ll get to them all, but I’ll get some of them… and, I have a list.

  Your mom left for work about 06:30 or so… we’re having “lamb soup, or stew” tonight, so one of my assignments is to add the vegetables at noon (it is all in a crock pot… boy, those are a great invention).

  Rain this morning, but, I now see a patch of blue sky over in the direction of Nathan’s village… well, nope, I think the clouds swallowed it up. That’s OK, I don’t need the sunshine to get done with the things I have to do today. Yesterday, however, was quite the nice day. Sunshine, some rain, then a cool breeze. We spent about 4 hours of the day in Eng, hiking and then lunch. Quite a nice time.

  Looks like things are drawing down here… as best we can tell. We are contemplating where our next “tour” might be. Various parts of Germany, Turkey, or England are possibilities. Your mom doesn’t think we will be asked to move out of the European theater. Turkey wouldn’t be first on my list, but then, our lives have never been what most people I know would call “normal.” It has been good though. I counted the stages of our lives, in fact only this morning I made a note of it, and the total does in fact come to 35 years. Imagine that! 8 Years in Fairhope; 8 in Tampa; 3 in Tallahassee; 4 in Stuttgart; 2 in Terceria; 10 here in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A nice, neat package, if I do say so. I could never have guessed it.

  So, along the way some we love have left us. They would do that anyway, but to live it out is another matter. Your mom is burdened with the impending death of her mom, much as I was when Gam was dying. We have settled upon a possible trip to the U.S. in December (Christmas break) to visit Mike and then your mom’s family. I am saddened in that Mike seems pretty much alone, mostly, and it seems Linda is moving to Ohio in January – a move I believe weighs heavily on Mike’s heart. We shall see how that goes, and consider things from there. Barbara Weaver, of course, is in the declining stages. I gather there will be a “full house” there shortly as Leah is moving back in with them and there are others abiding there as well. I imagine we will stay in a hotel for our visit there.

  Well, such is life. I am glad for the two of you. Hey, I found a line in the book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer I am reading. It goes like this:

“It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.”

  Bonhoeffer wrote that from the Tegel Prison to his niece who was marrying his best friend. What a great heart 

he had. He himself was engaged to a young lady just before he was arrested. I am saddened that they never married, though from the letters recorded between the two of them they loved each other greatly and fully expected his release from prison and a life together. I mentioned this to your mom the other day and she said, “Well, they are all together now.”

  That I know to be so. And, it is our hope as we pass the time here.

  So, Guys, I love you both. There’s that ole’ sun again… if only for a moment. Must be a sunny day over in Innsbruck!

Love,

Dad (& your Mom)

Plans

Monday 6/October/2014

Hi Fellas!

  Supposed to be a sunny day today… it was for a bit, about an hour ago, but now the valley fog has moved in – maybe it will burn off as the morning progresses.

  So, we enter the time of the Fall season. I hope good things come to the both of you as this year comes to a close. 

  We are deciding about Thanksgiving (probably staying here – having some folks over to the house and a big fire and Turkey, etc.). Either here or going to that Cinquetera place in Italy… probably be here though, thinking our friends will come this way.

  Christmas will likely see us in the U.S., with Tante Mike; and then with the Weavers. I will probably go to see Aunt Nancy for a couple of days, but all of that is uncertain at this point. Your mom wants to see her mom before Barbara forgets who Deb is. Things seem to be going in that direction, perhaps more rapidly as the months pass. I am amazed at the conversation I had with Barbara a year ago this past Summer. Deb was with them for a month, and talking to Barbara on the phone one day she thanked me for the “gift” of allowing Deb to be away from me for that month. I was surprised that she understood things from my end; and more so now, that that person seems to be “gone.” So it is.

  This is my “day off” – more a day of errands and such. That’s OK – I pretty much like going here and there and just being about town. I am to get your mom’s new cell phone from Deutsch Telekom today. She is getting an Apple 4 (1 Euro) and 30 Euro a month to attach it to my contract. It is not the very best of phones, but it will allow her to talk to either of you by way of that SKYPE app. I hope you take advantage of that… she dearly loves the both of you and delights in hearing your voice.

  OK – the ole’ sun is now getting rid of all that gray fog. Our dining room (where I am sitting) should be bathed in brilliant sunlight in the next few minutes or so. That is one of the things we like so much about this little house on the river – Lots of sunshine (when it is available) all year long. How different from Grainau!

  I love you both, and talk with the Lord about you every day. God be with you.

Love,

Dad

Sleeping In The Snow

Yo Guys!

  Been a while… about a month as I notice. I thought I’d drop you both a line… see in’ as you will be seeing each other this month for the first time in what… 5 years! So says Nathan… I guess that is so.

  Five years. Hmm, seems to me we moved here about ten years ago. This has been an interesting place to live – not so “good” as some might put it – Maureen’s husband died, and before that her nephew (Gerald) – actually, ten years ago, about now. I did both those funerals… that was difficult. But, life goes on as they say. I do go to their grave site every now and then. Sometimes Heiner (Maureen’s husband) and I have a talk – actually, “we” talk with Jesus concerning the brevity of life and “what” happened to all these people all around me here. Some of them have their pictures attached to the grave marker. One was about ten or so years old; much to young to die. But, it is a place of remembrance. A place of contemplation. A place of soul searching, as we all must pass that way sooner or later. For your sakes (and mine) I hope much later.

  On to other things. Your mom is lying in the setting sun… kind of a haze on the southern horizon. She is getting the last of it. So it is with the winter days. At least this house gets as much of the winter sun as might be gotten… more so than the Grainau house, that’s for sure. I went by there last Sunday – your mom and I rode our bikes over to the Zugspitze Restaurant in Grainau. Your mom rode on past the house and went to the little chapel on the hill to wait for me – I went down our street, to the end, and had a look at the area. Peter has had a carport built in front of his house, and our new owner has turned his yard into a Miami/Ft. Lauderdale showcase. Oh well. Martin’s dogs started barking as I rode out of the lane, and Melanie spotted me and waved… so I went to their front entrance and spoke to them both. They are doing well – their girls are 18 years and 16 years old (how can that be?). They look about the same and told me “You were a better neighbour” than the current one. Otherwise, all looks the same on that street. I recall their little girls, playing in the rain; playing in the snow; playing in the sunshine; playing with their rabbits – the rabbits getting out and coming over and eating all of your mom’s flowers… and so on and so forth. It was a good place to live.

  My downloading of Vince Gill, THESE DAYS, CD’s is coming along right now. I haven’t listened to much Country Music of late, not much time, but I hope to in the near future. Your mom and I plan to get a (an) Apple TV box this month. I should be able to put a lot of stuff on the TV from up here (where my IMAC is), and, we should be able to get a lot of stuff other than the “stuff” AFN offers. We aren’t much into the TV or DVD realm, I hope, but it would be nice to find some things worth watching now and then. The “box” costs about $100, and we already have all of the rest of the stuff to do all of that. Our phone system will be changing to “finer optic” in the next couple of weeks (they ((D-Telekom)) told me I would save about 15 Euro per month that way, and get 2x the speed from my internet – we’ll see). It seems I have to do some “number re-arranging” via the computer and the router, using a green cable, which I have. I have my doubts about the viability of all of this (it never works as they say), so, if we lose touch for a while here is how you can contact us using our cell phones (your mom sometimes carries and/or listens to hers… I usually have mine in my right pocket of my pants);

NH cell number: 49 171 277 9425

DH cell number: 49 151 250 33427

  Hopefully, it won’t come to that… but if it does, there you are.

  Not much else to tell you about; cat is doing well, as usual; dog is dead, as usual. It seems the cat is still grieving for Lucy (as am I, I notice on my walks). She dodged across my path Friday night as I walked along the river and then darted down to the cow pasture where she and Lucy used to go. She always stayed in the vicinity of Lucy (her protector), as we all walked along in the snow or whatever. That night, for no reason, she sat about twelve feet from me and “howled.” I said to her, “Hey! What’s your problem? There are no doors closed and no reason you should be making that noise.” In a bit, she followed me back to the house, and I got to thinking about it. I think she misses Lucy, her “mother.” Well, I’ll have to be careful this winter. I have enjoyed walking up the river and falling to sleep in the snow on the park bench at night, now and then. Lucy is my companion on such walks (always has been, here or Grainau), and always nudged my right arm when it was time to come home. No more of that though. I’m sure the cat won’t do it.

  So, life changes. I am surprised at how fast it does so, though… at least it seems fast to me. 2014 is something of an anomaly to me. 2004, We moved to Grainau from the Azores. 1994, I worked for the HRS in Florida (until October, when I started working for the school system in Hillsborough County). 1984, Uncle Larry came to live with us in Fairhope, Alabama, in August. I miss “Uncle Ware” (as you used to call him Sam). Larry was a great friend to me; as close to a brother as a man might have. 1974 was the last year of my college time at Liberty Bible College – it wasn’t “non-eventful” (as far as you are concerned – camped on a volcano in Guatemala in the summer; got dumped by my girlfriend/hopeful in September), but it was the year before I met your mom. I didn’t begin dating her until her 16th birthday, Feb. 12th, 1976. (Those weren’t real dates – fishing, hiking and that sort of stuff… until I was to leave Albertville to become a deckhand on a tugboat – then I gave her my college ring to wear around her neck on a gold chain). 1964 was my 4th grade class, Mrs. Cole, I think. Not a lot to tell you there; I had had a skull fracture in a car accident, that year, actually. My fault, of course – I darted out in front of a Cuban fellow and his family on Grand Concourse in Miami, Fl. Mr. Valdez tried his hardest to miss me – even went into the opposing lane with his family, but I hit him and banged my head on the curb. Mom got a call from my friend’s mother (Robert Freemont was my friend’s name) that I had been “run over.” Robert went home as fast as he could to tell about it. My mom called the hospitals in Miami (imagine) and found where I was. 

  1954 I don’t remember… but I am glad for it. God has been good to me.

  Well guys, there you see how short life is… from an old man’s perspective anyway. I love you both. I pray God’s blessings and mercy and love on you and your life, as I have known it and Him in mine.

Love,

Dad

(“Yo Bro.” – A letter to my brother, Tom)

Yo Bro.,

Wow Bro., been a while.  I guess not so long really, Dec. 22nd, 2014… but it seems a long time to me.  You are the only man I ever called “Bro.” – I guess the same is so on your end.  Don’t know if I ever said so, but it was a privilege to do so.

I awakened at about 01:30 this morning, somehow dreaming about you.  Some other stuff, I suppose, as well, but, most definitely you.  It’s about 03:30 now (28 degrees – Wowee!, but I see your e-mail site is yet functional, so I thought I’d drop an e-mail to you.  Not much gets through these days, but I guess the e-mail is “forever”).

Wow… let me think… what to say.  I had a lot to tell you, or just “say” to you, as I lay in bed and the thoughts just rolled by.  I considered the hour it is in Ca., where you used to live, and the time it is now, here in Germany.  Would be about 18:30 hrs. where you lived… funny how that is.  When you died, I used to await Deb’s call to me at 21:00, before I went to sleep at the Best Western near your house.  It was her habit (one I made, for me, as she was the last thought I had for that day) to call me at 06:00, the next day!, before Debbie left the house for her school day.  Funny how that worked out… me, ending the day – her starting hers.  Well, it rather kept me on “the straight and narrow”, you might say.  Those were trying times, there in Oxnard, and I won’t deny, I was glad when I finally flew back to Germany – though, being there for your death was the greatest privilege of all of life for me.  Really Bro., thanks for calling me there.  It couldn’t have been any other way.  I am honoured.  You will be happy to know Takeko is doing well, just as you planned for her.  According to our guess for her age, she must be going on ninety or thereabouts.  The retirement center has treated her like a queen, and Deb and I went to visit with her on July 4th, 2016, I think it was… yeah, I think it was 2016.  She didn’t know us very well, and was more comfortable being inside, with the other folks she is accustomed to being around, but, Deb and I had her out at their gazebo for their big picnic and she seemed to enjoy it all.  I should image she will be with you before too long, but, your provisions for her have done exactly what you set them up to do.  Well done, Bro. It occurs to me, that is one of the “assignments” you had in mind for me when you called me.  Well, I asked our Lord to help me with it all, and He did.  Really!  But what am I saying?… you would know all about that.

So, Bro., what’s to say.  My thoughts this morning had much to do with our growing up. Mostly, it was me, but you being fifteen years older, I always knew who you were, though I didn’t see much of you, with your Navy deployments and all.  What to recall: “Tommy’s outboard (ELGIN, by Sears) motor” – always on its wooden stand, up against the inner wall of the garage.  Ole’ Dad used to take it just outside the garage door, every summer, and place the metal garbage can under it, filled with water, and start the motor.  I grew up with that, don’t cha’ know.  I can still hear and smell the running motor – and see Dad engage the prop, and the water swirl about as he put it through its paces… every summer.  When I asked Dad about it, it was this, “That’s Tommy’s motor.”  Dad loved you Tom… he loved you a lot.  When I was much older, high school I guess, Dad and I went on a “cross-country” trip the summer of 1970 ~ Florida to Ohio… Mom was there in Ohio for a couple of weeks with that part of the family, so we thought to join her and do a little “guy trip” together – it was great… though Dad began suffering with his emphysema on the way back… that was difficult – it required I drive all the way from West Virginia to Florida, overnight… I am sure God took care of us on that one. (I recall dozing off at the wheel a time or two… oh my!)  Let’s see, where was I? – Oh yeah, somewhere along the years, about then, Dad said to me, “Naw, Nick, the hardest thing I ever did was leave Tommy at the Military Institute in Marion, Alabama.”  I can only imagine, Bro.  I can think that Dad would have happily cut his own heart out as to have to do that… I would, had it been me.  Well, you did your time there and then joined the Navy.  I think God is that way with us. I know Mom prayed for you every night… and I know there is something about a mother’s prayer that absolutely has you “doomed to heaven.”  Well, you know what I mean.  Deb is that way with my boys… they cannot escape her love… and they never will.

I was going to mention your mask and fins, always hanging on a nail, way up high, in the garage in Miami.  I “grew up” knowing that, “Those are Tommy’s” as well.  They got old and decaying as the years passed.  I must have found a way to get up to them, probably by standing on Dad’s work bench, because I recall the rubber next to the nail was cracking and “sticky.”  Not much use anymore, but like the motor, “Tommy’s”.

Point is, Bro., you were always in Dad’s heart.  I was a lot older (an adult, as they say), before I began piecing together “the signs of love” around and about me as a child in that garage. I didn’t have any questions about it all then, but I began to recognise just how much Dad loved you over your young years with him. I realised, slowly, what a magnificent joy it must have been for Dad to give you the outboard motor!  They didn’t have much money, so that must have been an unbelievable gift for you.  I can imagine Dad, building the stand for it in the garage (in secret), keeping it covered and out of your site, and then presenting it to you on your birthday!  Wowee, Bro.!  I can only imagine! Now all you two had to do was rent a rowboat, most anywhere… everglades, the bay, a lake… just anywhere!  The world “offshore” was now in your grasp.  You must have had many a joyful Saturday with Dad.  I know that’s when you went on your jaunts, as Dad called em’, cause that’s the day of the week he did stuff with me – whether we went fishing (no, we didn’t use “Tommy’s motor” then… not until Dad retired did I see that beauty in action… and even then he had to order some parts from Sears to get it running again… he was always ordering parts for this or that from Sears – by mail, by check… always), or the Saturday morning he and I got up (I must have been five or six) and we went out to the sidewalk in front of the house – must’ve been about 08:00… no neighbours were up or outside yet, and we wound up the rubber band on my new “balsa wood” spindly airplane (you remember those things); placed it on the sidewalk and wallah! – it took off! It flew! That was one of the great moments of my young childhood memories!  Not much to it, really, I suppose, but in my five years of experience, one of those truly great things that Dad was so good about. I suppose it was back then that I learned “If Dad says we are going to do something, then we are!”  I learned to trust him, Bro.  I think you learned the same – the evidence was all around me in the garage.  Something must have gone dreadfully wrong in your teen years.  I can only guess how much it hurt Dad’s heart… whatever it was.  

Well, that is one of those things of life, I am sure.  I have faced a couple of “times” like that myself.  Deb and I are facing one, even now, in the way of your “name’s sake”, ole’ Sam.  He doesn’t fully appreciate his middle name, “Thomas”, but I guess he will, perhaps some years from now.  You’d be proud of him though.  He is almost thirty-three now, a man of his own making. He’s weathered some difficulties along the way, of course, but has made a name for himself and has great potential.  The difficulty I spoke of is that he has, somehow (well, you know how), lost sight of Jesus.  What is true, and known to you and me so well, Jesus hasn’t lost sight of him!  So, I take my place, along side of our ole’ Dad, and wait. That’s not such an easy thing for me, Bro. But, I have Dad to look to, in the way of patience, a firm hand and a loving hand, a good and quiet heart.  How many times he showed me all of those attributes!  I can, from time to time, hear him say, “Awe, Nicky!”

What a great heritage you and I have, Bro.  I was late in coming, but, nonetheless, I came.  God has been so good to me… to us.

OK, it’s getting on to 05:00 now.  Deb will be getting up shortly to get ready for her school day.  I may just stay up to see her off, and then maybe snooze for a bit and wait for the sun to come up about 07:30. I’m retired now… did I mention that?  Yeah, I’m 65.  When you turned 65, I was in the Azores.  Do you remember the time I called you and said, “Hey Bro., you’ll be turning 70 pretty soon I think… when?”  Your reply was, “I turned 70 a couple years ago, Bro.”  Ya’ know, somehow, at the time, I was under the impression you were thirteen years older than me.  Sorry I missed your 70th Bro.  You’d be 80 now!

More later Bro.  I’m glad you kept your e-mail box open!

Love

Nick