Steve is coming home this evening after twelve days away. Hooray!
He is going to keep his bag packed though and he told his mom, “If you call at 3 a.m. I’ll be on the road at 3:30 a.m.”
And Sarah and I wouldn’t be far behind.
At this point, Ken is holding fairly steady although, with serious heart and lung issues, things could change on a dime.
And so we wait.
In the meantime . . .
I have a few more pictures and stories to share from our time in Charlotte.
Steve and Sarah managed to fit in one of their famous Father/Daughter Skips.
And Sarah and Nathan got to spend some extra time together. One of my favorite parts of the visit was seeing the two of them hanging out.
The three of us went down to the little creek behind the house and enjoyed the bounteous green all around.
Nathan channeled his 8-year old self and went exploring, while I stood on the creek bank and shrieked, “You’re going to fall!” (Because I’m helpful like that.)
At one point, Nathan started contemplating the distance between where he was standing and the opposite shore. (If indeed, a tiny creek does have an opposite shore.) He then got it in his head to wow his female audience and actually leap over the creek. (Cue shrieking mother.)
Here he is letting his audience know what feat of derring-do he is about to attempt.
And here, for your viewing pleasure is the video I put together showing you the jump. Caution: this is intense viewing.
In addition to the Creek-Leaping, there was also Sweet-Eating.
Vernie turned 86 while we were there and since the store was low on birthday candles, Steve’s brother, Dana, changed her age to 16. She didn’t seem to mind.
The guitar came out for a few minutes. Dana has been in various bands for forty years and he and Steve and their brother Jeff all share a love for music.
Nathan called Meagan and the kids so they could Facetime with Grandma.
It was so wonderful to have this bonus time with family.
In between the leaping and the eating, there was also, of course, the primary reason for being there–visiting Ken.
Nathan did a couple of video calls–one with Meagan and the kids and one with me holding the phone at the other end and getting video of Tippie.
Beloved family and beloved doggies–two big reasons to smile!
And speaking of reasons to smile?
A long, long love.
Six years ago, Ken and Vernie came to town for Sarah’s graduation party.
It was also their 60th wedding anniversary.
I’ll close with the poem that Vernie wrote for the occasion. In the video, be sure to wait till the end for Ken’s big line!
SIXTY YEARS – ONE LONG SONG
Sing the same old songs
Laugh at the same old jokes
Repeat the same old stories
Finish each other’s sentences
Reminiscence on the good old times
Jog each other’s memories
Harmonize in merry melodies
Hold hands in the night
Kiss in plain sight
Look for good deals
Pray before meals
Cherish our faith, family, and friends
Sing, sing, sing!
Sixty years, one long song!
It’s been good!
What about you?
Who has your song been sung with?
Whether you’ve been in a relationship for 3 months or 65 years, what is the best part about it?
Great pictures of Sarah and Nate. And the videos are awesome.
I remember when my Mom died, it was really good to see everyone…all the family that we hadn’t seen in so long. I hated why we were all together, but seeing them helped.
I just love the pictures of Ken and Vernie. What a special love they’ve shared. I just can’t watch the video right now, but I’m positive it’s just as special.
Continuing to hold you all close in prayer.
Krista,
“I hated why we were all together but seeing them helped.”
What a perfect way to describe being with family around the time of a pending death or funeral. So many, many emotions.
Thanks so much for the prayers.
That video of Nate jumping made me laugh out loud! My grandson thought it was pretty funny, too. Thanks for the laugh! Impending death is such a sad time, but the big positive is time with family members we may not see often. It’s a mixed blessing for sure. I’m glad you got so much family time and that you are close enough to jump in the car and go at a moment’s notice. Prayers continue for your entire family.
Gayle,
Glad I was able to make you and your grandson laugh. It made ME laugh and I’m the one who made it!
Yes, I am very glad we are able to get to Charlotte relatively quickly and it’s not all the way across the country. That bonus time with the family–grieving, laughing, eating, sharing experiences–has been wonderful.
Becky,
So much love in one sweet post. As usual, I loved your photos. It is a wonderful blessing that you all had this time together. Much love and support shared and many special, loving and treasured memories made by all. It was good that Steve was able to stay a little longer and help Vernie but since he can no longer visit His dad, it is also good that he is able to get home for a while. I know from my time with my parents how hard and draining those vigils can be. And I am sure that it is a comfort to Vernie to know that all it takes is a phone call to have Steve (and you and Sarah) on the way back.
Loved Vernie’s poem. There certainly is a lot of talent in your family!
The SARAHBEC production of Nate’s famous (or should I say infamous) Creek Jump was tremendous. Great special effects! Could there be a Hollywood Career in your futures?
Praying that you all stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Love, prayers and blessings to all of you,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Draining is a good word for how a vigil like this can feel. It’s the long waiting and wondering that is the hardest. As we wait, we are comforted to know he not in pain and he is comfortable.
Glad you enjoyed the SarahBec Production! 🙂 It was fun to do something different from our weekly online church productions. 🙂
I loved all the pictures of Vernie and Ken together…and of course enjoyed all the others, too. You all continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Sue Ellen,
Thank you for the prayers. I’m glad to know you love seeing those pictures as much as I di.
That was quite the production for Nate, The Creek Leaper – I am impressed Sarah. Loved the sound effects too. Loved the One Long Song. How precious. We will be married 53 years in December. One of the best things that ever happned to me.was marrying my husband. We met while working for the Billy Graham Assn. Continuing to pray for the whole family.
Sharyn,
Fifty-three years is wonderful. And not many people can say they met at the Billy Graham Assn. What a great place to meet!
It is always great seeing pictures of the Smith siblings together! 🙂
My song has been with my hubby of 39 years. We just celebrated our anniversary on Saturday. It’s all been good so I would have a hard time picking the best part. If I had to, I’d say it is the two children we created and then the kids that THEY created. 🙂 Of course, all the laughs and fun times have been awesome too. My guy has quite the sense of humor so he really does keep me laughing.
Lee Anne,
A sense of humor in a marriage is one of the greatest gifts. If you can laugh with someone, you can get through anything together.
So glad to know you’ve been sharing the song with your hubby for 39 years!
Your creek leaping video was epic! So funny. ?
Loved seeing the pictures and seeing/hearing Ken and Vernie–great poem, Vernie!
My long song is with Randy–32 years of various verses and choruses. As long as you start and end the song together, the chaos and out of tune notes that sometimes happen in between somehow comes out ok. Even the bad years are good because we were together. Thankful for a man who has hung in there with me. Ken and Vernie are a fine example to the rest of us.
Much love to you all as you continue to navigate the challenges of these days. Glad Steve is coming home. Thanks for a great post.
Love, Deb
Deb,
I loved your words about starting and ending the song together. As you so wisely said, sometimes the melodies along the way don’t always flow and the harmonies clash the and rhythm gets a little off. But Ken and Vernie, as well as OUR mom and dad, have gone before us to show us that it’s possible for the song to continue.
Vernie and Ken are quite the striking couple in his dress uniform and her formal or maybe that is her wedding dress.
I’ve never been married but my parents are less than a month away from celebrating their 71st anniversary. So I guess my longest relationship has been with them and my older brother who is 2 years and 9 months older than me. Knowing their relationship, I can only imagine how Vernie is feeling now. I’m not looking forward to the day that one of them loses their partner.
Phyllis,
Seventy-one years is a VERY long song! I’m sure they have countless stories to tell about their journey through life together and all the many lessons they learned along the way. You are blessed to have their song in your life.
…Vernie and Ken….WHAT a testimony of love…not was.
What beautiful smiles throughout! Yay, for creek leaping! Vernie & Ken, was a testimony of love.
My longest & best relationship that neither side has requested a break or divorce from is my relationship with Jesus! He keeps me on my toes, humbles me when stubborn pride kicks in too strongly, calms me when needed, provides the best sounding board, gives me just enough rope to learn on my own without terrible consequences, picks me up and holds me when I crumble, provides good direction & enough patience for different situations. Just not enough good things to say about Him!
My next longest & strongest relationship is with my son as a single mother since he was 3.5 months old. Though we butt heads periodically, his handwritten notes in my holiday and Mother’s Day cards, make me cry and realize, with the Lord’s help, a great man was raised. Really have to give most of the credit to the Lord. With the Lord as Plan A, I’ve given up making any Plan B.
Guerrina,
What a wonderful testimony you shared. Thank you. God has truly been your Rock!
And I loved hearing you share about the son you raised and the joy you have in your relationship together. I can only imagine how close the two of you are after taking on the world on your own. My hat is off to you and my heart is with you.
Thanks for the memories! God bless each one.
Ann,
And God bless you and Jim, today, as well. Lots of love!