Sunday, March 22, 2009

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.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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.