Opportunity

If you've been a Columbus Wendels' follower you've read about Batten's Disease; its horrible stealing of a child's life and it's family's hearts. You know that we're passionate about this disease because we're good friends with a family who's living this nightmare. But you also know that we're so thankful to have Celia in our lives because at the ripe old age of 3 1/3 she's taught us so much!

As you're preparing for 2011, think about all the greeting cards you need to send. Until the end of the year if you purchase a card(s) from the link below 20% of all purchases will be donated to research Batten's Disease. The promo card is Celia.

http://newblog.cardthartic.com/?p=159

Since some of you haven't had the privilege to meet Celia and her family, use this opportunity to send them a supportive hug as a friend of a friend.

Pause

Mike and I have been reflecting on the past year a lot lately. We've had some wonderful times and we've also had some trying ones. But we can't dwell on those because life continues to move forward and who wouldn't want to journey along with these two?

Quite Contrary

Who do I talk to about taking the rest of the Mondays of 2010 off? I think work might catch on if my kids are "sick" every Monday and I don't have enough personal days.

Two Mondays ago I received the fateful call from our neighbor alerting us to the thieves in our garage. This Monday I received a call from the same neighbor telling me that the news media had just left her porch and was headed for my front door. Well, they found me at work and we made it on the 6 o'clock news.

Please bear with the brief advertisements at the beginning.

So, I'm done with Mondays. Done with these ignorant robbers who in the midst of 15 minutes have managed to take hours from us and not to mention thousands of dollars in repairs.

Okay, rant over.

I'm so thankful for my wonderful neighbor who saved our house and belongings. I'm grateful that the burglar I encountered was compliant rather than violent. Words cannot express my relief when I realized EVERY picture of Molly's life was in that van and would've been at a pawn shop within the hour.

Lucky?

Nope.

Blessed!

Silver Lining

To say our week started off on the wrong foot might be an understatement.

But in good 'ol Wendel fashion we dusted ourselves off and began to look for the silver lining.

And we found it!

Time

There are times, like today, when I miss him so much it hurts. Then other times, like last night, I'm confident he's in my corner. The times in between are pretty unremarkable; laundry, working, playing, and just life.

But a few times during each of those days, I know. I know he loves me. I know he's watching over my kids. I know he'll be waiting on me. I know he's at peace.

My Dad

Jack Stahl
August 11, 1934 - October 12, 2010

We clamored into his oversize lap

Eager to hear his tales

Singing along to the Animal Fair

His involvement was wind in our sails

We gathered around the kitchen table

Seated at the head to lead us in grace

His hands were never too busy

To pause for a treasured embrace

When his back was turned

Balls would fly through the room

Often followed by:

No throwing balls in the house!

When we had a problem

No matter how big or small

Out came the paper and pencil

A diagram could solve them all

Then our family’s second generation began

Their lives started with baptism

Wearing Grandma Rita’s gown

Blessings, prayers, and oils he gave

Our families all grateful to have Grandpa around

Always searching for an adventure, wherever they might land

Their toddlerhood was spent holding his hand

Drawing him colorful pictures

And receiving whiskery kisses

Summertime brought some of his favorite pursuits

Like visiting the fair to eat all that was forbidden

Boating across Indian Lake to the donut shop

And sitting around the campfire, bedtime rules overridden

God graced him with endless gifts

Which he shared with everyone he met

His compassion, empathy, understanding, brilliance and love

Encompassed all, as he cast a wide net

He’s the man who would welcome a student in danger into our home

Or pick up a stranger on the side of the road

He was not only a husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and teacher

He was a man of God

Some of you know him as Deacon Jack

Others know him as Dr. John P. Stahl

But most importantly he was Dad and Grandpa Jack

Thank you J.E.B and my wonderful husband for making this tribute possible.