David, Susan, Nathan, Drew and Berneice were over for supper tonight to say good bye to Matt, who heads back to Wheaton College for his sophomore year tomorrow morning.
And I realized I had a photo op, as well.
After supper, Gretchen was reading to all three kids.
And Drew and Nathan wore their matching Gene Ely shirts.
I asked them if they knew who that man was on the shirt...they said yes, but thought it was me! I tried to explain that I had a Dad too...but that was a bit much to comprehend right now.
Dad would get such a charge out of this. And I know all of you do too!
Not too long after I was home for good, I received this plaque from the cousins thanking me for my service in the army and thanking God for my safe return home. Along with the plaque was a gift of a tree. With some help from my Master Gardner mother I picked out a suitable tree and the nursery, and planted the ornamental pear pictured below. This was a total surprise to me and Susan and we were very touched my this gesture. I am posting the pictures I promised that include the tree at the store...
"in" the car...
and the finished planted tree in our front yard.
Adding to the symbolism mentioned in the plaque is that there was a dead tree in that spot that we removed as soon as we bought the house. Now there is a fresh, young healthy tree in that spot. Thank you again to all the cousins for such a thoughtful gift and thank you to the entire family for their years of support and prayer for our family.
