LETTERS
The following letters are treasured bouquets
from my family, received in
August 1999, then tied with ribbon - cherished
keepsakes. Last week, First Brother joined Ken in heaven. At this tender time, these letters came out of hiding and have once more freshly filled my cup full to overflowing with love and appreciation for family! (And chuckles! Haven't I told you guys a million times to not exaggerate..."L") My purpose for sharing the letters here is simply to offer proof of the power of God's Grace still at work in the "family institution" that He created. In our case, a BIG institution! Also, to encourage each of us to remember our roots, continue to cherish one another and to - Keep Looking Up!
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Hon, this won't be much of a "letter" but it's the way I feel. I cherish these hand written words, but they will remain mine alone. Observation: From the changes in his handwriting, I doubt Ken's "first" mini stroke exactly three months later was the first. And I didn't know... Hurry home. I miss you already. Love,
Ken
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Mom, I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how special you are to me. I can't thank you enough for all you have done for me and my family. I know I haven't always been the "perfect" son, but I do have the "perfect" Mom!!! I love you, Frank
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Mom, The Lord's greatest gift to me is you! You are not only a beautiful mom, inside and out, but you are also a dear friend, the one who laughs with me, cries with me, encourages me, and loves me unconditionally. I love you so much and will admire and cherish you always. Your loving daughter, Laura
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Mary, Thanks for being there when I was a baby needing my diaper changed. Sorry I peed in your face that one time. Thanks for being my big sister and taking me horseback riding when I was just a kid. Sorry I threw up in your car on the way there. Thanks for being my friend now that we're about the same age. God will have a special place for you. Love always, Your baby brother, Erwin
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Dear Mary, Let me begin by saying that you are one of the three most important women in my life. The first, of course, was our mother. The second, Susan, and then you. In fact, you have all been great mothers to me!! Remember when I was only nine years old and couldn't believe how OLD you were...TWENTY ONE?? Since those days it seems that somewhere along the way I have gradually caught you (and maybe even surpassed you) in age. You just never seem to get any older! Could it be the fruit of the Spirit of God inside manifesting itself on the outside? Anyway, that really ticks me off!! You're not my older sister anymore! Susan and I remember vividly that when we met I told her she had to meet my sister Mary and how much she would like her. Was I right? Since then Susan feels like you have become the sister she never had. In closing, let me say how much I have cherished the rich times we have had together; some serious, some comical, but all warm and cozy. Thank you, Mary, for being there for me. I have no doubt that I am a better person because of you. I love you very much, and may God's richest blessings continue in your life and in the lives of those you touch. Your favorite brother, Dave
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Dear Mary, I heard from someone that you are going to be residing in a cloistered convent this week to get away from all your worldly close relatives and might appreciate getting some mail while you're in isolation. (By the way, "Mary Magdalene" is a good name for someone in a nunnery.) Oh, I know it's ladies' church retreat called "The Great Banquet". I was just having some fun at your expense. I just wanted to send you some type of a note or card just to encourage you during your solitary confinement and therapy, and I hope you have to read it in front of everybody. Besides, I don't want to wait until you're gone. We all need to receive some kind of recognition and encouragement during this life, not just the promise of pie in the sky by and by. I can honestly say that, while it is difficult to raise even one or two kids "now days", you have helped raise two families...that is, if we include your own seven brothers and one sister. I don't know how you did it, but you always had time to do Mom's hair, cook supper for all of us, make homemade fudge and popcorn balls. Somehow you found the time to play the piano and do some art work, and everything you did always made others marvel with jealousy and envy. I also had very few doubts that you could have been Michelangelo's assistant in painting the Sistine Chapel or a substitute for Mozart or Beethoven when they called in sick. And how well I also remember your leading role in your senior play. Also, the fact that you were voted in as vice president of your huge senior class of 36! But what did you become? You weren't in the spotlight like Harold, Mr. Indiana Basketball; you didn't win the Indiana State Basketball Championship like Dave; and you didn't pole vault 13 feet like Erwin. What did you become? Just an ordinary, magnificent housewife straight out of Better Homes and Gardens, just an ordinary excellent mother and just an ordinary great sister! All I know is that, when I wanted my first car, you probably made Ken give me one. Remember that shiny, black already antique 36 Chevy? It was my first car, and I was really proud of it! When I received a student manager athletic scholarship to go to college, you probably made Kenny twist his dad's arm to make him give me a job during my first summer. For sure, I could not have gone to college without that first job. I later found out that my "scholarship" consisted of only one weekly meal ticket shared with another student manager every other day! That was it! No tuition, no room and board (and I never told this to anyone until last year). After graduating, when I began teaching in Kokomo, I needed to find a place to live, and you told me about the house on Jay street. It was all I needed. After Mom died, who took care of Dad? You did. You found him a new home close to yours, and you were there for him each and every day for 8 1/2 years, from April 22, 1977 to November 22, 1985. The list goes on, but you get the idea. (I'm just putting into words what Grover and Clyde and Harold and Dave and Erwin would say if they were not illiterate...) You're an Indiana State Champion in your own league...at being, not just an All American Artist, but just what you always wanted to be in the first place...just yourself, just a good example of an ordinary, excellent sister and great at being human. Sincerely, Floyd
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Dear Mary, I Cor. 13:15 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Mary, you have always shown your love for Jesus through your love for others as long as I can remember. Thinking of the past - I remember you getting up so early to fix Mom's hair before she went to work. Remember the wave gel, hair clamps and rollers you used to curl her hair and pin each curl with a bobby pin?! And how can I forget all your clothes I wore and didn't bother to care for them as I should. I can still see the beautiful cardigan sweater set and pleated skirt you bought me when I started school at Kokomo High so I would look nice. But most of all, I cherish the talks we had each Monday morning for two years after Bob died, and your thoughtfulness to invite me to dinner each month on the 27th to make my evening less painful. I love you for later accepting Ray into our family so graciously. It also means so much to him. Your life has been filled with doing for others and I know God has blessed you through your talent as an artist, a loving, faithful husband for 43 years and a successful, handsome son and beautiful daughter who is so much like you. And of course LUCY!! Thinking of the future - I know you will continue to be blessed because of your love for the Lord and for others, just as you have lived your life in the past. Your Sis, Virginia (Remember this stationary? It's the last of Mom's.)
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Mary, You're so talented, intelligent, interesting, witty and wonderful...it's no wonder people say we're so much alike! And since we're so much alike, I feel certain that I'm your "favorite" brother!! On the more serious side, I hope your church "retreat" is going great and that you are having a wonderful time! Mary, you are a very talented and successful person in every walk of life...I'm proud to have you as a sister!! Love you! Harold P.S. Here's a quote that I thought appropriate in describing your successful living: "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do." H. W. Longfellow
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Big Sister, I am so proud to be your brother! I knew waaay back on the farm, that you would some day make it to life's "Hall of Fame". Congratulations on your many accomplishments, and I hope this day in your honor is one you will thoroughly enjoy! Your favorite brother, Clyde
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Dear Mary, If I had an opportunity, I'd try to MAKE YOUR DAY, even though you called me at 12:06 A.M.! to wish me a Happy Birthday!! I'd also really try to paint your greatness - if only I could get a canvas that big into our house! Love you bunches, Grover
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If you are still reading... Now you see what I have had to put up with! "L" But even though these treasures were written to me, the message I want to convey here - It's Not About Me! It's about family loving God and respecting each other. It's about strong family ties and overcoming adversity. It's about humor and harmony in the family. In a word - It's all about LOVE!
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Background Music: Going Home
Midi Sequencer Unknown
From Ken
