Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Having another day off due to snow I was able to talk via video to my folks this morning to wish them a Happy Anniversary. They are celebrating 59 years of marriage today in Mesa, AZ, at their winter home. I wish I was there to celebrate with them.








There is something about you that sets you apart. Something so wonderful it fills my heart. You have a special way in the things that you do. I guess that's why, Mom and Dad, I LOVE YOU!

The Spirit at Mesa Spirit

Wintering at Mesa Spirit in Mesa, AZ, Mom and Dad find numerous activities that keep them busy and active. Last week was Western Week and Mom and her friend Joann got their photo taken with "Almost Willie" after his music concert one evening.
Mom and Dad play on a bocce ball league together, the Hawkeyes of course, along with friends Jim and Joann from Sioux Center, IA. Dad's been walking, hitting the exercise room and going to therapy for his shoulder and they've both been swimming when their schedule allows. Mom belongs to Song Birds a singing group, Bookworms, teaches Swedish weaving at a craft time, sings in the church choir and and is the treasurer of their church at the park. Wednesday morning there is the Larchwood breakfast where friends with connections to Larchwood meet for breakfast and chatter at a restaurant where they know them all by name. There are street coffees, Iowa picnics and of course Friday mornings they go to the Country Store where there is delicious soup, hot dogs, ice cream cones and sundaes and a mini flea market set up at the main community room. Saturday night is bingo night where they play for cash prizes and so far this winter Mom and Dad both have gotten their chance to yell "BINGO", Dad got his last night!
They have a grapefruit and orange tree off their patio and so far this winter have had fun giving away over 175 grapefruit, many in a box they have labeled "help yourself", by their front door. They have friends and neighbors from Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Canada and many other states. This year there is even another couple (Marv & Sharon Lape) from Larchwood at the park!
A golf cart adds to their vehicle count, as some days they find themselves coming and going. They get to escape the ice, snow and cold of Iowa and stay active with new and old activities. There's much more going on among these retired folks, what'd I miss Mom?

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Fifty eight years ago, December 10th, Mom and Dad said their marriage vows. I wish I had more of the early photos of them. They are back on the farm, filling many albums, but here are a few I have from my albums, through the years.

She was a town girl and he was a farm boy from different towns, growing up with different backgrounds. They met on February 15, 1950, on a blind date. Mom shared with me about how she met Dad... She had been to the Arcoda Ballroom in Sioux Falls with some friends from Nettleton Commercial College one night and Don Anderson drove the girls home, letting Darlene off last. She was surprised she was the last to be dropped off and Don said he would pick her up the next night. She said no, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. The next evening when he came to pick her up, he was driving a yellow convertible, and when he brought her out to the car, he “pushed” her into the back seat with Calvin. Their first meeting. (The car was Calvin’s, Dad and Don knew each other from school at Washington HS in Sioux Falls, SD) Obviously the two hit it off... and the courtship began.
Cal gave her a diamond and asked her to marry him while they were parked in his car, on July 18th, that same year, on what is now 26th St. near McKennan Park in S.F. At that time it was the edge of town and not the busy street it is now. Mom remembered crying tears of happiness.

The Argus Leader newspaper had this wedding announcement.
Darlene Wettestad Says Vows
Larchwood, Ia., Dec 13 - Miss Darlene Wettestad, Sioux Falls, daughter of Mrs. Cecelia Wettestad, Glasgow, Mont., was married to Calvin T. Johnson, Larchwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Johnson, 2020 South First Ave., Sioux Falls, in the Grand View Covenant church at Larchwood December 10, 1950, the Rev. David Kline, Sioux Falls, officiated at the double ring ceremony.
The bride wore a nylon marquisette gown styled with round yoke circled with ruffled nylon lace, long sleeves, fitted bodice, full skirt trimmed with ruffles of lace and a short overshirt which fell into a long train. Her fingertip veil was secured to a satin bonnet. she carried a Bible with a shower arrangement of garnet roses.
Mrs. William R. Ball, Sioux Falls, was matron of honor and Miss Rose Mary Sinjem, Brookings, was bridesmaid. They wore gowns of fuchsia and aqua respectively. They had matching hats and carried cascade bouquets of white carnations and red roses.
Axel Bonander Jr. was best man and Dr. Dale D. Whitcher, Sioux Falls, was the attendant. Ushers were William R. Ball and Richard Swanson. Gregory Whitcher and Lonny Fredricks were ring bearers. Mrs. David Kline was soloist and Mrs. Elmer Swanson was organist.
A reception was held in the church parlors. Those assisting were Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bennett, Mrs. Dale Whitcher, Mrs. Oscar Palmberg, Mrs. Lynn Outka and Mrs. Harold Fredricks.
The bride attended Brookings high school and Nettleton Commercial college and was a member of Alph Iota sorority. The bride groom attended Washington high school and served in the army as a construction foreman in Japan.
For travel the bride wore a red gabardine suit with grey accessories. After a honeymoon the couple will make their home in Larchwood.

An anticipated winter storm delayed their honeymoon plans. They had planned to go to Sioux City their first night, but icy roads sent them to Rock Rapids instead and the only room left was one with single beds. (wink)
They started their life together on the Johnson family farm. Dad's Uncle Carl lived with them for the first few years of their marriage. Soon, they had four children, Dad boasts he planned it boy, girl, boy, girl. Mom and Dad let their love spread as they've worked together to run the farm, support their family, neighbors and church.
What can a person choose to say about a couple spending 58 years together? There are so many stories of laughter, joy, and even sorrow, I'm sure I'll share more in the postings to come. For now, my heart goes out to Mom and Dad, as the sweethearts celebrate 58 years together. Happy Anniversary!

On the Road Again

Mom and Dad are preparing to leave for their winter home in Mesa tomorrow. There is a lot to do before leaving and Mom has taken on much of that burden, with Dad having recently had surgery.




She's always been "Superwoman" in our family, with a reputation for working hard, helping others and just plain taking care of everyone and everything. This year she will also be driving all the way to Mesa, since Dad is not cleared to drive yet. They've promised to stop often and I'm praying for good weather and safe roads ahead of them.
Once unloaded at Mesa Spirits, they're planning to go down to Tucson at the end of next week to help Deb at a Scandinavian craft sale, where she sells baskets she weaves. From there on their schedule and activities get busier and busier.
I'm already looking forward to Christmas when Joe and I will be flying down and we'll all head to Debbie's for Christmas.

Praying for safe travels for Mom and Dad and wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

11/27 Update: Mom and Dad made it to Concordia, KS, their first day. There is the possibility of snow and rain for their travels on Friday so they are planning to get an early start to try to beat it.
11/28 Update: They're in Santa Rosa, NM tonight. Amazingly they met up with friends Dick and Janet Sunde from Sioux Falls there and they are in the same motel. The Sunde's winter at the same place Mom and Dad do. They had left Sioux Falls at 2 am this morning so had quite a trip today.
11/29 Update: They are safely in their home in Mesa, arriving around 5 pm.

Loving Hands

Have you ever looked at your hands? Slowly open your hands and stare down at them. Turn them over, palms up and then palms down. Stop and think for a moment about these hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.

These hands have been spreading seeds for many a year. They are framed by my desk. Looking at them gives me comfort. These hands have supported, led, comforted, applauded, helped, and taught me for more than 50 years. They are Mom and Dad’s Hands.

These hands, though wrinkled and worn have been the tools they have used all their lives to reach out and grab and embrace life.
They braced and caught their falls when as a toddler they crashed upon the floor.
As a child their mothers taught them to fold them in prayer.
They put food in their mouth and clothes on their back.
They tied their shoes and pulled on their boots.
They wrote the letters home and to loved ones.
Decorated with their wedding bands they showed the world that they were married and loved someone special.
They were uneasy when they held their newborn children.
They soothed many animals and led them to safety.
They dried the tears of their children and caressed the love of their life.
They have been dry and dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
Yet, they were strong and sure when they worked the farm for many a year.
They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, cold and chapped.
Yet, they have held children, consoled neighbors, and clenched in fists of anger when they didn't understand.
They have covered their face, combed their hair, and washed and cleansed their bodies.
They have held many books and the written word to read and learn from.
They trembled when they buried their parents and son.
These hands hold them up, lay them down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
These hands are the mark of where they've been and what they mean to me.
(Inspired and adapted from a hands quote by an unknown author)

Kids at Heart

Mom and Dad are here visiting. We went to an auction last night and laughed when all we wanted was one item and the auctioneer would put a bunch of junk with it. Of course that happened more often than not, so I kept on making trips with our treasures out to my car from the 4-H building where the auction was. We came home and laid the "loot" out across the living room trying to decide what we wanted to keep and what was on to “another owner”. Thank goodness we’ve stayed true to our original thoughts and the “another owner” pile is growing.
Today, I had a dentist appointment and then I took them to the casino in Waterloo for the noon buffet and the opportunity to throw some money away. Mom broke even, Dad and I lost under $10 so it wasn’t too bad and we found ourselves entertained for a while.

It's tough to see them loose their stamina, even tougher on them to realize they can't do what they used to or want to do. (I'm feeling that too! ohhh the aching knees and ankle) Although their bodies are aging, the folks are still young at heart.
Picturing your parents as kids is always amusing and eye opening. I've been smart enough to question the heck out of them on different subjects pertaining to their youth. Good idea huh? Hopefully you'll ask those questions of someone special before it's too late.

Dad’s parents were living in a small white two room abode waiting for their new house to be finished when he was born. (This little home later became a chicken house and then storage for old car parts and a cat house.) The only photo we have of the inside when they lived there is the photo above where Grandma is holding infant Calvin and Grandpa Joe is holding Joyce. (Nov. 1925) When Dad was about 3 wks. old they moved into the large new house just a few yards south of the "chicken house". The same place I was raised and Dad has called home all his life. Here's a photo of Calvin and his sister Joyce showing Dad's early love of old cars (1927).

Mom was born in Sioux Falls, and adopted at 2 ½ yrs. old by Adolph and Celia Wettestad of Colton, SD where Grandpa Wettestad was manager of the elevator there. They moved to Faulkton, SD, and Primghar, IA, before moving to Brookings, SD, in 1935, always working managing elevators. Mom’s Dad passed away from a heart attack in 1939. Celia and Darlene moved to Sioux Falls for a while in 1940-41. They then returned to Brookings the fall of 1941 and remained there until moving to Glasgow, MT, in 1946. Darlene attended H.S. one year in Glasgow and returned to Brookings where she graduated from H.S. in 1949.

Two different upbringings, Dad has been on the same location all his life except for his time in the service and Mom moved quite a bit in the years before she met Dad.
I don’t have many of their childhood photos scanned, or available here in Denver, but here are a couple shots of them as youngsters.

It’s nap time now for this crowd… all kids need to rest.

It's been a long time...

Mom and Dad are coming today! I'm excited to have them here. It's been over three years since they've been down to Denver. Seems like once Steve got sick back in 2005, many things were put on hold. Your perspective on life changes, I'd sit at the computer each night awaiting time to talk to Steve on the video. It's a cliche but so true, "things don't matter, people do." Enough of this, I've got to finish cleaning... the folks are coming!!!

Here's a photo of them in Alaska in 2004, (not many waterfalls on the farm.)