Grandpa

 

Yesterday was Grandpa’s wake.  

 

 

 

  

                

Words of Wisdom in Grandpa’s handwriting that someone found while going through his things and getting the displays ready.

“I would like to say that I was born about as poor as anybody could be.  Losing mother and father at an early age, but God was good to me and had plans for me. 

I worked hard and accumulated some wealth which I like to share with the hungry and poor.

As you grow older, you begin to think about the hereafter more and know that you have to leave everything behind, so make the best of everything while you are able,

With all my love, Joseph E. Skala” .

Grandpa was a smart man.

 

Today was the funeral out at Litomysl.  Fr. Cronin’s message was right on and left us with a great message – figuring out what is important.  Grandpa sure knew. 

The cemetery was just down the road and the family decided to walk there.  It was quite a site.

  

 

    

 

   

  

Love you Grandpa.  Rest in peace up there and keep that killer smile!

 

My Aunt and Uncle had the yearly family Fourth of July fish fry planned for this afternoon and they decided to stick with it.  It was a great way to be together and celebrate Grandpa.  I am sure Grandma and him were smiling down at those of us that could be together celebrating and being together.

 

 

      

To top off the day there was a Smear tournament in honor of Grandpa.  A day spent doing 3 things he loved, fishing (or eating the fish I guess), being with family, and playing cards.

Christmas celebration #2

Today we got together with my dad’s side.  I am so glad we still try to get together even though it’s hard for everyone now that the families are getting so big.  Someone said there were 85+ people there today and that was missing some.  It’s always fun to visit, though believe it or not I don’t even get to sit down and talk to everyone.   We had good food, played Farkle and cards as usual, sang songs, and enjoyed the company.

   

 

  

 

Earlier this week Matt and I took a day off and did our shopping in the cities.  We’ve been doing this for a few years now.  He takes the day off and I use one of my personal days.  We coordinate the day with some friends of ours and we meet up for lunch.  We joke about it being the one time all year that we see each other.  Matt and I had a productive day.  We are actually more ready than we have ever been. 

 

Lucas is obsessed with Elmo.  One night this week Elmo had to eat supper with us.

 

Connor and two of his good friends in school came up with the plan to earn some money at home by doing extra chores so that they could buy their teacher a present together.  One of the mom’s took the three of them shopping and they bought the most thoughtful gifts.  They put a ton of time and thought into what they picked out for her.  They got her a really  nice card, a poinsettia because they just read a story about it and did a cool art project with it, a scarf because she always wears scarves, a new coffee mug because her other one was getting old, iTunes card because she is always looking for new apps for the kids to use on the ipad, a frame because what mom or teacher doesn’t need a frame right? ;), some gum – not sure why.  It was so sweet.  They came in one day during recess and I brought them down to their classroom.  I got teary eyed watching them beam while she opened it and started to cry.  It was awesome to watch and experience.   Not that Christmas is all about presents and I don't want to put the emphasis on it, but it sure was cool to watch these kids go through the process of earning the money, working together, putting so much thought into their gifts, and getting so excited about giving it to her.    The best part of it was that their teacher was having a very rough day, something happened in the morning that had made her sad and hurt.  She was feeling pretty low and frustrated as a teacher.  Having these kids give up their recess and give the gift to her blew her away and caught her off guard.  She said the timing was unbelievable and she sat and cried after the kids left.  God works in mysterious ways and there is always a reason.