Awake: 6:16am Temp: low 30’s sleep 6+42 overcast overnight @ Indiana, PA.
After breakfast, K & I drove to Nicktown & visited the KK gang for over an hr. They gave us a nice warm welcome which we appreciated & try to return the same. Afterwards, we collected our mail from the post office & then made a quick trip to visit Lou Ann & Herk to give Lou Ann a ceramic collectable souvenir bell from Mississippi that she wanted; that was our exchange for her giving me a bag of butternuts.
Next, we attended the Funeral Mass for Andy Kirsch in Nicktown, my 3rd cousin. I didn’t know Andy very well but I’ve heard from many sources that he was a very popular guy in high school. Unfortunately, he developed a rare form of stomach cancer which surgery, radiation & chemo could not cure; he suffered for over (2) years but didn’t complain & was an inspiration for everyone who knew him. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department of Nicktown & only (20) yrs of age. Since he was a fallen firemen, (2) fire companies stood as honor guards & Andy’s coffin (which was made by his father) was carried atop a fire engine from the funeral parlor to the church & from church to the cemetery. Father Job gave a wonderful farewell homily. My sister Corinne + my brother Don & his wife Josie joined us in church. Afterward, we all went over to the grave for the final “rest in peace” prayer from Father Job. Then we joined the masses @ the Church Hall for a farewell luncheon in Andy’s honor. It was our chance to meet & greet many cousins & friends & to give our condolences to Andy’s parents & grandparents & share some “Andy” stories.
Back in our hotel room, we change clothes & then spend the rest of the day @ the Foote Castle. I’ve noticed that Matthew has been hanging out more & more with Nick & Zack & thus penetrating the high tech computer world; Nick has educational games downloaded on his computer while Zack has mostly difficult & challenging games downloaded; so both Z & N use Nick's computer for the boys tutoring; So far,only Jerry & Matthew have been steady students.
After all the young boys are in bed, we adults slowly & meticulously choose a board game to play: “Loaded Questions.” It was fun; however the late starting time was a disadvantage for us seniors who like to have more free time after the game is over & tonight, we had to stay up past midnight to get that free time in.
Lights out: 12:59am
Leave a comment