It's 30 Minutes From Troy

Dad, Dudley and Dumbo

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How do I know it's thirty minutes from Troy to 9163 Neff Rd.? Because almost every weekday from as early in my life as I can remember until Dad retired from Hobart Brothers in Troy, Ohio, he got home at 5:30 P.M. He worked 8-5, I believe. I think the word here is "consistent". I knew he was coming home at that time every night, and many times I would ride my green 3-speed bike to the end of Neff Road, turn right on Red River West Grove and meet him at about 5:27. I'd grab hold of the door handle and get a helping hand all the way home at about 35 m.p.h., just in time for a 5:30 arrival.

I couldn't believe it one time when my sister-in-law, Connie Lavy, drove from near our house to Troy in about twenty minutes. I told her that I knew it was thirty because Dad got home at 5:30. Oh, well, not everyone drove like my dad. And, certainly not everyone drives like my sister-in-law!

What is the meaning of this blog entry? Just a small compliment to my father, I guess. He won't be around forever - just like the rest of us, actually. But, he is 88 and still going....not real strong. However, I think consistent is about the perfect word to describe Victor Lavy.

One more memory of Dad for you. This really doesn't follow the theme of consistency...well, maybe it does. Many years ago, I was travelling with Dad to Messiah College in Pennsylvania to pick up my dear sister, Marilyn, from school. I was lying on the back seat half asleep when from the front seat I heard a chorus sung by my father. He was never a soloist, but there was no mistaking the sincerity of the words:

Take this whole world but give me Jesus

Take this whole world but give me Jesus

Take this whole world but give me Jesus

I won't turn back, I won't turn back

Ev'ry bridge is burned behind me

Ev'ry bridge is burned behind me

Ev'ry bridge is burned behind me

I won't turn back, I won't turn back

I'm sure he wouldn't remember that, but I do. Stop in and see him if you get the chance and tell him what he meant to you.

Next time we'll try to talk about Mother and see if there is a word that might best describe her.

10 Reasons

Rena gave me this list of reasons why the English language can be so hard to learn.

1. The bandage was wound around the wound.

2. The farm was used to produce produce.

3. The dump was so full it had to refuse more refuse.

4. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

5. He would lead if he could get the lead out.

6. They were too close to the door to close it.

7. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10.I did not object to the object.

Marilyn

I met a friend and colleague of my sister, Marilyn, on Facebook recently. In corresponding with her, some old memories of Marilyn came back. Marilyn died on September 29, 1985. I remember thinking that a good title for her biography would have been "Life Begins at 40", for she was forty years of age when she passed away.

I never had a whole lot of time with her - she was away to college when I was quite young and then on to New Guinea and other parts of the world. She had a great laugh and was a great writer, teacher and friend to many people.

Here's the poem entitled To My Sister that I wrote in her honor in October, 1985.

From the mountains of Adirondack

To the plains of the Midwest

There you found your loved one

The ending of your quest

Then came two beautiful young ones

They came your lives to bless

They were full of life

And perhaps some mischievousness

Then you made your way across the sea

To a different kind of land

And certainly through it all

You could see God's leading hand

You helped many a lost one

And we know you did your best

The lost multitudes to aid

And from Satan's dark hand wrest

Now you've made your greatest journey yet

You'll travel past the farthest star

And we are here left behind

To mourn but from afar

But while we mourn we'll not forget

That while we here remain

Some day we'll cross to be with you

And together with Him we'll reign

So now we make this solemn vow

We'll neither stop nor hesitate

We'll stay true to His dear name

And meet you by the Eastern Gate

Thanks, Linda, for bringing back some memories of my sister.