This is going to be a difficult post, but I still want to do it. On the right is a picture of our good friends and colleagues, Cello and Sopena Meekis. We first met them about 35 years ago and have gotten to know them as we worked with them over the many years in serving the native people of northwestern Ontario together. Cello and Merle were born 4 months apart in 2 very different locations and with very different upbringings. However, as Merle spoke yesterday at his funeral, Cello (and Sopena) never made us feel like outsiders nor did they openly correct us when we made cultural blunders. But, in their own gentle way, we were able to learn a lot from them in areas of accepting others, giving generously, hospitality and much more. Cello had rhumatic fever as a child, which left his heart weak. Later in life he suffered with a rare disease which left his body weak as well. In the recent years he was diagnosed with Parkinson's as well as Type 2 diabetes. He had a lot of health issues that left his earthly tent very weak.
We were able to visit them in Winnipeg (where he was hospitalized again), just before we left on our trip south. We said our last good-byes to Cello on March 16, knowing full well it might be the last time we'd see him on this earth.
We left the next morning for Ohio, where we spent almost one week. First we set up the Living Hope Native Ministry display at RBC in Rosedale. They were having a mission emphasis week. It was great to reconnect with friends and family. The speaker was challanging to us and the weather was great for taking walks. One morning, Merle checked email and had to tell me the very sad news that another good friend had taken her flight to glory. Doris and her husband Marlin Ebersole had lived in this area and worked for our mission for some years in the late 80's. She was diagnosed with cancer in Dec. 2005, and it spread to her brain in the past few weeks. It does not seem real to me yet. I think she was a year or 2 older than me and leaves behind 4 married children and several grandchildren. She will be missed!
After that event we spent the week-end with Karla, Kirk and baby Mayah in Columbus. Isn't God good? It was so special to get to enjoy family like we did. She is growing nicely and so alert for 5 months old. It was fun interacting with Kirk's brother, Kenton and family as they all live together in a huge old (but lovely) house in downtown Columbus. Thanks again, Karissa, for giving up your comfy bed for this "old lady".
Then we went to PA where we spent a lot of time reconnecting with friends from the past and even made some new friends. One afternoon we blocked out 2 hours to shop a bit. We went to Park City where Merle found some really great bargains at Kolh's for himself. I was feeling so frustrated with their ladies clothes and finally went back to him and begged him to take me to a Goodwill Store! When we were walking out of the store he said (a bit jokingly, but half serious too), "well, find a Mennonite women and ask her where one is". I was doubtful it would be possible, but as we rounded the corner there was a M. women reading the mall directory. I said, o.k., I will! It was pretty amazing and she did help us out. She got us to a very nice large organized Goodwill store not too far from there. (Thanks, Phoebe!) After looking through a few sections, I once again started to wonder why I was even bothering and what is wrong with me! I mean, don't ALL women love shopping? Well, apparently not. I had looked at Kolh's for a new pair of jeans like I wear and know fit well, but the $30 ones that were marked down to $20 were sold out of my size. So, as I came to the end of an isle I know it must have been the Lord lifting my eyes (because I was looking for summer shirts by then), and I saw a brand new pair of jeans with tags on them in plain sight; someone had looked at them and not hung them back up properly. They were only $9.99 and were my size!!! That made me rejoice and lifted my spirits enough to keep going awhile. I really enjoy finding new clothes with the tags still on at places like this, but even other clothes that still have a lot of wear in them suit me fine. I think it's partly because I know I'm hard on clothes and partly because of our budget. Anyway, enough of that.
In PA we stayed at our usual spot, the Gary and Joyce Leaman home. We've done it enough, that we know the routine and it really does feel like coming home. They are so hospitable and gracious. She grew up here in Red Lake as an MK and he lived in this area for some time as well. They head up our banquet committee, so it makes it really nice to be there to finish up plans for the banquet as the week goes along.
We had a informational and fund raising banquet at Yoder's Restaurant in New Holland on the 27th. Then that morning we found out that Cello had passed away so it was a rather emotional day. We were blessed with a good turn out though and things went well. We did cut our time in PA short a bit as we left on Sat. instead of Mon. We managed to get home Mon. afternoon and got to see Sopena and the family yet that evening. My heart is heavy for her and especially as she and her sons and daughters-in- law help the grandchildren work through their loss. It was a large and meaningful funeral yesterday with an estimated 400 people present.
We had Jim and Mary Keesic with us Tues. p.m. and overnight, but they left for their home in Thunder Bay again immediately after the funeral. Looking outside I feel like it's January, but when I go outside I realize it really isn't. In other words, we have LOTS of snow but the temperature is right at freezing. Maybe it's God grace to give me time to do a few indoor projects yet before our spring arrives! I'd better get started.
