Thought you all would get a kick out of the remainder of Saturday and Sunday morning. When I left Mom a little before eight, the chapel was all set up for the church service the next morning. I gave a silent salute to whoever had done the work. On Sunday morning everything went as usual except there was no music when we got to the chapel. Then I heard the organist say there was no power to the organ. Someone summoned maintenance. The oldest and one of the best men showed up and corrected the problem - reinserted a plug or two. We both smiled about that, realizing that some small hands might have been busy the day before.

Birthday party pictures

Thanks for making this day such a memorable one. I was deeply honored by your presence. As I said, it's hard to find the right words to really get that idea across. Eddy Cantor (I'd be surprised if any of you know who he was) had a radio show on Sunday nights. He signed off with a song that began, "I love to spend each Sunday with you. As friend to friend, I'm sorry it's through. I'm telling you just how I feel. I hope you feel that way, too." So I guess you just have to let the spirit and the love in a gathering like the one today take over when words aren't adequate. Mom held up well, I think, after having lost her lunch and needing a change of clothes before getting there. We'll have to believe the same spirit and love in the room could reach into the deepest centers of her being. She got a little rest before her dinner, ate well, stayed awake and seemed to enjoy the Lawrence Welk show. But her eyes didn't stay open long after she got in bed. Of course, she would have to be awakened again to be readied for the night. So to sign off, I loved to spend this Saturday with you. As one deeply honored, I'm sorry it's through. I love you all. Remember the connecting strand and love each other.

The weekend may be rainy here, so you should bring umbrellas. Chances are you'll have to park in the parking lot - too far to walk in the rain without some protection. Sorry about that. I had a mini-birthday party today. Bob Jurgensen and Pat Ciccone from All Saints were here for a while this afternoon and brought a small cake with 90 written with icing on top. Bob brought a DVD we watched on this computer. It was about a second disaster at Pearl Harbor in May, 1944 - an event that was kept secret for many years. There were explosions in some LSD landing craft which were loaded with ammunition in preparation for the invasion of Saipan. I wonder if any of you ever heard about it. I never had.

For those interested, I intend to be in the chapel Saturday morning. Maybe you would like to come by for a while. I may bring Mom along, but I'll decide that when I see how she is feeling after she eats breakfast. She is usually pretty sleepy, so I may just let her sleep to improve her chances of lasting longer in the afternoon. Also, Scott wanted to know if I wanted to come to the hotel Friday evening, but I'm going to pass on that - it would make the day too long for me. However, on Friday, some of you might want to come over here during the day for a while - if you're in town. I'm usually in 600 until about 10:00,then in my room until noon. Then I go to 600 and stay till about 2:00. Then I'm in my room again until 5:00.

Wedding

Pat and I are pleased to announce Ryan and Robin Vanderpool will be married on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They will send out invitations early next month explaining the particulars. We hope you will join us in this celebration of life!