Another vacation to remember

I’ve been on vacation this week. David flew in from Idaho for our anniversary party and has spent the week with us. Steven took the week off to visit with David. The other kids have been close by. So visit we have — nearly every second of every day.

We’ve attended a number of sporting events. We’ve had dinner after dinner in numerous homes and eating establishments. We’ve visited until WAY past midnight several times.

I can honestly tell you, I’m pooped! I think I should actually take next week off to rest up from my vacation. Anyone ever feel that way? I don’t know what the boss would say about that.

I do want to tell you about our anniversary party and thank everyone who attended or had anything to do with it in any way.

Our kids have planned celebrations for some of the special years throughout our marriage — 20, 25, 30 and now 40. And let me tell you, our kids really know how to throw a party.

Last Saturday night was a great time in Burlington Junction! More than 200 people attended our celebration — people we hadn’t seen for many years — friends and relatives alike.

The kids did a very good job with the invitations.

Rochelle and Sharla — with the help of our sons and Matt Limback — prepared the greatest slide show. You remember I told you the girls were holed up at Rochelle’s with the box of old pictures and every time I walked in they jumped up from the computer and met me at the door so I wouldn’t catch on to what they were doing.

Well, as I walked into the American Legion building in B.J. Saturday night and the movie screen was set up, I knew I had been right to be suspicious of their actions.

After everyone had time to visit and eat some of the refreshments, Michael and Brian announced to everyone they should get in a position to see the movie screen.

Roger and I were very apprehensive as we took a seat toward the front of the room. The introductory music started, then some of our dating pictures appeared on the screen with "For What it’s Worth" playing in the background. Then came our wedding pictures accompanied with "Remember When."

On and on it went with pictures of each of our kids and their kids and music to represent their tastes. The girls had asked each of the boys to give them pictures and music they wanted on the video. Steven didn’t know what music he wanted to represent him, so the girls chose "I’m Too Sexy" — crazy sisters indeed!

As we watched the video, we shed some tears. We laughed a whole bunch. (The family has decided the most embarrassing picture was the one of Brian in the bath tub when he was probably a senior in high school. Don’t know who took that one!) And did we ever remember! We had many comments on the video and how great it was. The kids did such a good job.

You know what — you can think back on your life and take note of your accomplishments through the years. You can remember the good and bad times and think about what you’ve learned from each. You can try to do better with the rest of your life from what you’ve learned from the past. But when you sit down and watch 40 years go across a screen in front of your very eyes, it gives you an entirely new perspective on things. Roger and I have talked about it quite a bit since Saturday night. Even though there have been ups and downs in our years together, we have weathered each storm. We’re just very grateful our children pointed that out to us in such a wonderful way.

And now here’s to the next 40!