On This Day in History

On November 17 some number of years ago, Wetzel history was made, or you might say began.

Leading up to this date I was excited that a friend was coming to town to visit my roommate and I. We were making plans, but Aaron was getting nervous. “You’re coming to the concert, aren’t you?” He was in a band and had a big show that night, playing a couple hours away with a famous real more well-known band. “You have to come to the show!”

I started getting suspicious. I told my roommate FJ I thought Aaron might be plotting something. “GWEN!”–she was the only one who could call me this–”Holy CRAP, Gwen!”

The next day something happened with Aaron’s car. He needed new tires, I think, and it cost a bundle. The only bundle he had, I was sure. “Nothing’s gonna happen,” I told my roomie. “His car keeps having problems–there’s no way he has a ring.”

The 17th arrived and we headed north for the show, in his newly re-tired blue Dodge Charger held together by Jesus bumper stickers. In a blizzard. Probably a foot of snow in Traverse City by the time we got there. Our friends from the other band arrived really late because it was even worse when they left after us.

Then Aaron locked his keys in the car. And his backpack. He seemed really concerned that he get his backpack out before their set. Fortunately, I am no Sherlock Holmes…

Finally his band went on. They were hyped. The crowd, such as it was, was into it. I was standing toward the front on the side, where the band guys’ girls hang to look cool. After a few songs Aaron had something to say–even back in the day he was the preachaman. Something about . . . priorities, maybe? I can’t remember, until this part:

“I have to say something to my girlfriend, Wendy. Where is she? Can you come up here? I have to apologize to her because I told her I was saving to buy her a ring, and then I went and bought this [Steve Taylor] CD. So I want to give it back to her. Wendy, this is for you.”

“Open it!” someone said. So I did.

No CD.

Something gold.

What’s happening?

“Wendy, will you marry me?” he said from one knee.

Someone stuck the microphone in my face. “Yes, of course!”

When the Famous Real Band guys arrived, he introduced them to his fiancee.

Then we had to spend the night up there (properly chaperoned, of course!) because of the snow before going home to mortify horrify enrage convince surprise my parents.

The rest is (our) history!

I’ll have to think of a prize–an empty CD case, maybe?–for these trivia questions*:

1. How long ago was this?

2. How old was I?

3. Super bonus extra credit: What semi-famous band was it?

*Spouses of me are not eligible to win.

Words from (and for) a PT Veteran

My grandfather served on a PT boat during WWII. A few years ago my mother asked my grandfather to write up some of his stories, and last year she had copies of A PT Sailor’s Story spiral bound for all of us. A few of his concluding words:

Our Squadron 7 was composed of some pretty good men. Their record was 132 sinkings, 3 probable, 111 damaged; fuel and ammo dumps destroyed. Eleven men were killed; 24 were wounded; 1 boat was lost to enemy gunfire. . . . Many are gone now, but there have not been many days since our war time experience that I have not thought of those times.

Generally I would rather not think too much about war and the military, because they are uncomfortable to me. But we can’t forget. My grandfather has not forgotten. And he is proud–I have a fresh memory of him just a few weeks ago telling Aaron about his tattered flag displayed in their home. And we are proud of him. Because of him and others, we have an amazing America for his great-grandkids to grow up in.

Thank you for your service, Papa. (I know you’re reading this, which is pretty awesome!)

Thank you to all who have served, and to their families.

Wordless Wednesday: Great Grands!

Wordless Wednesday

Remembering Tim – This Sunday

A quick note for local friends in particular who may not use Facebook (what, just me?):

Memorial Balloon Release for Tim Wetzel

Sunday, May 15, 2011, at 1:00 p.m.

Blythefield Cemetery, Rockford, MI

Ten years since we said good-bye. So long ago and yet so near.

Wordless Wednesday

Photo by Aunt Barb

On Her 4th Year of Christmas

AJ was awesome fun at Christmas this year. Four is the best (so far anyway) because she makes this face for every single amazing, wonderful, unbelievable, ohhhhhhh (inhale) my goodness! present:

She and her almost-three cousin were also great fun together. They have opposite personalities–drama girl wants the next present immediately, thinker boy wants to sit and examine the first one for a while–but know how to come together for a good ol’ fashioned paper leaf throw or horseback Papa ride.

Could these grandparents be any happier?

Christmas Eve was a nice day with all three of us plus Chatterbox (closed dorm refuge at our house during the holidays) hanging around home. We went to a big local church in the evening and then did our family traditions: AJ gets to open an ornament and new pajamas, and Aaron reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Christmas morning the cookies were gone (hmm) and the stockings were full. AJ questioned everyone thoroughly as to whether we had heard Santa while we were sleeping. We had a nice breakfast and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. AJ got a new doll, a tea set, and a Wii game. We all got our stockings filled mostly with sugary delights and toothbrushes and such to counteract them. “Hygiene for the Holidays!”

Then we went over to Aaron’s parents’ house to gather with his brothers and later on aunts and uncles and so on. Traditions have changed in the last few years with the passing of both grandparents, but we seem to be settling into new ones. We do just a few gifts but plenty of food all day, and lots of just hanging out around the table or playing Wii.

A girl and her grandma!

It was a long day for AJ but she kept her energy going until the second she was in bed with lights out. The next day we had church and then a big annual Christmas party with friends and she was a champ all through that too. Monday was recovery day! But also get the tree out day, because it was the worst needle-shedder ever. We have a nice cozy new arrangement and oh the SHINY of our new TV which was our gift to ourselves from now to infinity and beyond forever and ever amen. If Aaron gets to watch the Lions win their 4th in a row on it tomorrow he may just about keel over with joy!

We’ve had a very nice New Year’s weekend too, filled with many wonderful friends and foods. I think I am in denial about going back to work 5 days next week and that Aaron leaves for his school intercultural immersion trip/class pre-dawn Wednesday. He will be in Tucson/Mexico for 10 days with a border ministry. But first we have to squeeze in just a bit more family and friends togetherness–and can I squeeze in just a little more of that good food too?

Happy new year!

Wordless Wednesday

Saying Goodbye

Friday we found out Aaron’s grandfather had died. It was unexpected, although he had been struggling through dementia for a few years and especially since Grandma died two years ago.

(We went on the church camping trip Saturday through Monday, which was enjoyable although perhaps one of the COLDest camping nights we’ve ever braved in a tent. I lost my voice from allergies, and now–after all the days in a row of busyness with little sleep–Aaron is definitely sick with a fever.)

Tuesday was visitation for Grandpa, out in Ionia. Just about all the family were able to make it, and it was good to see them and for them to be able to see Anna. She was a trooper about hanging out in a rather boring for a 3-year-old room for hours. Wednesday just the two of us went out for the funeral. The service was a little “how I will NOT do funerals when I’m a pastor” for Aaron…but still it was good. The church provided the traditional ham-buns, etc., and Aaron ate his dessert first as Grandpa always would “in case Jesus comes back.” Then we stood on a hill in the gusty wind, surrounded by cornfields and American flags and wilted flowers marking other families’ memories and losses, and said our goodbyes.

Peace be with you, children and grandchildren of a good man.

Wordless Wednesday: Cousins ‘n’ Cows

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