Winter Memories from Mahanoy Ridge

It all began on Tuesday evening February 2, 2010 when I looked outside to see a gentle falling snow. Tonight will be the perfect winter evening here on Mahanoy Ridge - typical of many that we have  enjoyed in the past... I built a nice warm fire in the fireplace, and as the falling snow closed off the world beyond, I just enjoyed the warmth of the fire, and memories of days gone by...  February 2nd is the perfect day for such reminiscing....

Tonight, I must stay up until 12:05am.. Why? Because as the story goes, the doctor looked at his watch at 12:05am and announced to Merle and Lila Wallace that they had a baby girl born on February 3, 1947... Her name - Sally Marie......     Happy Birthday!!!!

I must say that these musings have caused me to think a bit about birthdays... Why is it that we are always so taken up with birthdays? Well, its probably because we like to remember "new beginnings."  What could be any more thrilling than to welcome new life!!!   Having spent over 45 years of life with Sally, I enjoyed thinking of experiences through those years that were like new life to us....

I met Sally when she was 16.. Many of you know the story of the process that took our two separate lives and joined them together as one.

Sally and I became sister and brother in Our Heavenly Father's family, spending 43 years learning together of His Ways and walking in His Path.

We lived in San Antonio for 6 months, becoming acquainted with the Workers and Friends there and also many other young couples from all over the USA who were children in God's Family.

We lived in Baumholder Germany, where 3 other soldiers who were in God's Family met in our apartment each week for fellowship meeting. Two German Workers, Olga Hastings and Martha Leonhardt spent many days with us in our apartment. We also met with many of the German Friends while we were there.

Sally was baptized in Newry, Pa, before coming to Germany.. I was baptized in the Main River in Germany.

We returned to Lemoyne, PA to resume a normal civilian lifestyle. Sally worked evenings as a waitress, and I worked 2nd shift. We never got to bed until after 3am each morning..  While in our apartment there, we entertained Esther Potts and Virgie Wheeland for dinner. We had a card table for our dinner table, and Sally and I held the table while the girls cut their meat!!!

I worked 5 years for Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. During these years we experienced the birth of our four children - Ronald, Timothy, (Pamela) Susie, and Daniel. Wonderful experiences in new life.. We often said that we got married at 19, had 4 kids in 5 years, then we all grew up together.

Tim contacted life threatening spinal menengitis when he was 6 months old. Sally and I spent a two week vigil with him until he got beyond the danger.

We contracted with Wilson Narehood to build our first home. After we signed the contract, Wilson lost his framing sub-contractor, so he layed out the framing, and I nailed it together.

Five years later Sally and I chose to build our second home ourselves. Sally's dad, Merle and others helped, completing the major work in 9 months. We moved into the home in January without any central heating.

Through their teen years we witnessed each of our children choosing to become Children of God.

Over the years that followed our family expanded as our children took mates, and for the past 13 years we have been witnessing the birth of 11 grand-children.

This is just a few of the many wonderful memories of life that we have enjoyed. When I think of Sally, I am reminded of Proverbs 31:27-29. To many, the birthday of their loved ones is a day of sorrow, but for me this is a day of remembering the many ways the Lord has cared for us and blessed us by Sally's life.

My Fondest Memory

My Dearest Sally

Born: February 3, 1947

Died: September 19, 2008

Wonderful wife, mother, friend..

Last November, on our 42nd wedding anniversary, Sally gave me a letter she wrote to her parents in September 1966, as she was flying over the Atlantic Ocean to make her home with me in Germany. This was a big trip for their daughter who was just 19 years old, and they were quite concerned as they waved goodbye to her at JFK Airport in New York.. Her letter was very reassuring to her parents as she spoke of her new home with me.. "Don't worry Mom & Dad. I'm now where my heart has been for the past three months. With Love, Sally" As I watched Sally depart this life for her long eternal home these words seemed to be directed toward me, and were clearly in her heart again. Dick

Sally's Obituary - http://obits.pennlive.com/PennLive/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=117706893

Our Final Trip to Johns Hopkins Hospital

Today we went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for an evaluation of Sally's cancer. In the morning we had blood work, and CT scans of Sallys chest, abdomen and pelvis. After completing these tests we, (Sally, I and our 4 children), went to visit Charles and Mamie Graves. ( Mamie had open heart surgery last week, and is in the hospital rehab.) Our visit was an inspiration to all of us as Sally and Mamie shared their common experiences together and the encouragement each has been to the other.

At 1:30 we met with Dr Rudin to go over the test results. Dr Rudin began by telling us that the cancer was spreading and that further treatment was not possible. Sally replied "Good, I want to go HOME!" As the doctor and I tried to discuss continuing medication to assist Sally in terms of quality of life, she repeated, " I want to go HOME!" Finally when she saw that she wasn't being heard, she said to the doctor, "Doctor, when God says that he wants me to come HOME, I don't believe that he would be happy if I replied that I want to spend my time in some hospital." I said, "I want to go HOME! That is my choice.. Some of my children may not feel as I do, and they may feel free to make their wishes known, but THAT IS MY CHOICE." After a moment of silence, each of our children said that they agreed with Sally's choice. With that said, we began our journey back to our home to spend our final days awaiting Sally's call HOME.

Sally rested peacefully as we drove home. She went to bed for about an hour then asked me if she could get up. As I peeled an orange, we visited together. At one point in our conversation, she asked me, " Are you ready to help me get out of here?" I replied, " I don't understand?" She said, "Yes, you do know what I mean. I have been asking you this question for a few weeks now, and you haven't answered me." I assured her that I was ready and prepared to help her complete the final steps of her journey.

Sally and I have been singing together Hymn 105, which says "Life's short day will soon be over, Then we'll see the one we love - Fellowship divine forever, In the Father's home above." Today we witnessed that these were more than just words to Sally.

Mother's Day Weekend..

Even though we could not have our traditional meal altogether this Mother's Day, the weekend was packed with visits.. Dan, Kate and Zolani visited Saturday.. When they arrived, I awoke Sally and announced their arrival.. She replied " I can't beleive that they finally made it!!! ( they have had sickness which prevented them from coming over the past few weeks.) Sally was up and down most of the day. Twice when she went to bed in the afternoon, Dan,Kate and Zolani prepared to leave, but before the got into their car, Sally was beckoning to get up..







Sunday's activities were even more amazing with Susie coming to stay with Sally while I went to meeting.. Susie and I prepared dinner ( she explains these activities in detail in their blog) which we thoroughly enjoyed, not because of the food, but because of Sally's new-found zest for eating!! As dinner was finishing it occurred to me that today was Mother's Day for both my wife and my daughter who were able to spend it together.


The remainder of Susie's family and Ron, Kalyn, Robert and Ian joined us for dessert.. As you might imagine the Chocolate Ice Cream from Massey's was a tremendous hit.. After dessert the kids hit the rope swing for a little fun and exercise.




The day was very enjoyable, as Sally remained awake and participated with everyone throughout the afternoon and early evening.