The pace of life has picked up some this week--a lot of fun and some sadness.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE. Nate celebrated his 4th birthday Wednesday. He was so cute that night at church when everyone sang to him, his face just beamed. Bro. Bill asked him how old he was and he held up four fingers. We had a small party at Pauline’s Thursday night with barbecue and cake. The guest of honor did, at least, like the cake.
WEEKEND GET AWAY. Since Presidents’ Day fell on this weekend and we had yesterday off we decided to go to the mountains. It was nice to get away.
We left when the kids got off the bus Friday and made it to Pigeon Forge in good time. We stopped to eat in Cookeville and Nate, who is not used to traveling long distances, asked if we were there yet. When he found out we weren’t he said, “I want to go home and I don’t want to go anywhere ever again!” Don’t feel bad for him, he didn’t want to come home Monday.
Saturday morning we got up and drove in to Gatlinburg to eat at Log Cabin Pancakes, a traditional stop for us. After breakfast we walked around town a bit. It started to snow when we were wandering about town and it was beautiful. Part of this adventure included a stop at Wacky Bear where you can pick out and customize your own stuffed animal. Jenna has a bear of her own (Sally) while Ben has a monkey (George), but until now Nate has not had one. As of this weekend a bear named Jake has joined our menagerie.
That evening we took in a show at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge. It was truly hilarious and made for a fun evening. We ate supper at the Happy Days Diner next door. Part of the motif of the restaurant is that the restrooms are labeled “Dude” and “Chick.” As Vicki and Jenna were going to the facilities Vicki asked Jenna if she was a chick. Jenna said, “Not yet.” Vicki told her she was a young chick. After thinking about that a moment Jenna said, “Hmm. I guess that makes you a chicken.”
Sunday morning we woke up to a snow covered landscape. It was the first time I had ever seen mountains covered in snow. (I think we actually got more snow back home than we did in the mountians.) Unfortunately, I had contracted a stomach bug and didn’t feel like stirring from the condo most of the day (I think is was greasy food). Vicki and the kids went sledding at Patriot Park (we had seen the forecast and packed plastic toboggans). Benton won the award for the most times down the hill. Nate won for most original crash (he shook himself off and Jenna was able to convince him that it was okay to sled again).
That evening we all went over to visit Keith and Angi Arnold, friends from Camden who now live in Sevierville (I was feeling better by then). We ate pizza and enjoyed catching up with them. The kids enjoyed playing with their son, Jackson. Their cute nearly one year old daughter, Emery, was too little to join in, but all the kids checked in with her frequently.
AUNT MILDRED is really my cousin. She gets that title from me as she was 50 years older than I am. She suffered a massive stroke Thursday and passed away Sunday. She was 89. The last time we saw her was Thanksgiving Day.
Aunt Mildred was an incredible person, devoted to God and to serving Him. An artistic person, she made the ceramic nativity set Aunt Mar uses to decorate for Christmas. (When we were studying Romeo and Juliet in high school she made a bust of Shakespeare for me.) She served at her church as organist and teacher, but I think possibly her greatest ministry was to her own family. As many grandparents are called to do, she had a large role in raising her grandchildren. This was a role she fulfilled with strength and grace.
Back from her funeral this evening I have been thinking about her as I’ve listened to Chris Rice’s Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus). Maybe the tune has just caught me at the moment, but I think the lyrics somehow speak to who Aunt Mildred was in this life. Come to Jesus/Come to Jesus/Come to Jesus and live. She is now gone and laughing on Glory’s Side having flown to Jesus and eternal life.
Joe
