September 17, 2012
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Flashbacks, Mind Freeze and Old Friends
Yesterday morning our family sat in the back of Shiloh Church attending the funeral service of Becki Kauffman. (41 year old daughter of Arlie and Roberta, who died after an 8 month battle with cancer.)
The church was well filled and some people were even seated back in the reception hall. By being in the rear of the assembly we were easily distracted by the comings and goings of the different people going in and out. (Its amazing how much activity there is during a service.
) Anyway, as I sat there and watched a couple of flies bother Lavern Martin's family seated just in front of us, and playing with their little girl when she'd reach out from her folding chair to swat at my dress, (sh!), I noticed a little baby, just ahead. Wow! Did she ever remind me of my own little girl some 12 years ago....she was so cute! She looked a lot like Lavina did. Imagine my surprise when her Daddy shifted enough that I could see that he was Chad Miller. Now, that goes a long way back. Chad was just a little tyke when Vernon served his 2 years of VS in Guatemala 1979-1981). Chad's parents, Vernon and Sue became very close friends of ours after they had served as house parents while Vernon lived in Chimaltenango. Sure was nice to see Chad again.
Then, whoa! Up a few benches was a petite little blonde baby girl.....I suddenly had a flashback. I was back in Carbon Hill again. That baby was Joe and Effie's! Only this time it wasn't Sharon, Marilyn, Brenda nor Janice.. It was Janice's littlest one. But Effie and Joe would NOT be able to disclaim her if they wanted to, which I am sure they don't! My those genes are strong. I had forgotten how cute those little Weirichs were.
Later on that day, we met up with Jerry and Nina Woodcock. I had known Nina in our pre-marriage days as we are only a couple of years apart and were in the same Fellowship back then but had only met Jerry in 1986. We had stopped in Summersville, MO on our way back to Guatemala to visit Joe and Effie (who, by the way, was Mission director when Vernon was serving there.) Jerry's invited us over Sunday evening and we enjoyed ourselves so much. Both of our families were small. We had 2 and they may have had 3 at that time. Anyway, we had always hoped to see them again and when we moved up here to this area in Conrath, WI and found that this was Jerry's home/stomping grounds, we thought we might see them again. After 9 and 1/2 years that finally happened yesterday.
Jerry and Nina are both the type that even after 24 years we were able to pick up and visit like those years hadn't happened.
When he asked me if I had ever had Brain Freeze, I waited to see what he meant before I answered. Its going to your old home where you grew up and not recognizing most of the people. In your mind you remember them as they were when you left. Oh, yes, I do know what he was talking about!A couple of weeks ago, I went "home" to Carbon Hill / Logan, Ohio. I knew the older ones, of course, but had to ask several times who was who among the younger set. I felt like asking for Show and Tell and have everyone introduce themselves.
I found myself looking at everyone in the grocery store and Walmart, wondering to myself, "I wonder who that person is? I wonder if I went to school with them?" It kind of bugged me not knowing and wishing that I did. I really wonder how many of those strangers I may have actually known once upon a time. None of them looked even slightly familiar. But on the other hand, I'll be willing to believe that no one recognized me either. Its been a long time ago.....a long time ago.Well, its time to move on. I called my parents a little while ago. My Dad answered. He sounds so weak. I just wish I could just pack up and go "home" again. If only it were that simple.
Sorry folks, there isn't any pictures to go along with this post but I needed to write it anyway. God bless your day.