A special moment --

I have not kept up on my November postings in honor of nablopomo. I so apologize! I had good intentions . . . not to mention that I have had some amazing experiences this month -- things worth blogging about for sure. But maybe the most amazing was the 24 hour period of time I spent with my parents last week (Tuesday and Wednesday).

My brother-in-law's father (DeeEl Stapley) passed away November 12, due to a short but valiant battle with a very progressive leukemia. I knew DeeEl not only as a close family friend but also as a fellow educator as he was the superintendent of Iron County School District for many years at which time I worked at the State Office of Education. Our paths crossed at family events and at educational meetings and conferences.

The funeral was to be held in Summit, UT, so I let my parents know that I was planning to go to the funeral and if they wanted to go, I would ride with them. They decided after much intense deliberation that they would make the journey and that I could go with them. They picked me up at 2:30 p.m. or so Tuesday afternoon. We took the truck so Dad could haul all Mom's needs (oxygen tanks, oxygen machine, wheel chair, etc.). (We had with us at least a year supply of oxygen.) Dad drove the first leg of the trip and when he got drowsy, I took over -- but he really did do most of the driving.

We spent the night in Cedar City at a hotel on the south end of town. We got take-out at Applebee's and just chilled the evening away. My nieces stayed at the same hotel so we had some company later in the evening and for breakfast the next morning. The funeral service was very nice -- very calming and reassuring that death represents only a small separation time from loved ones. All of DeeEl's kids spoke and each in his/her own way payed tribute to their Dad. A special part of the service was "The Master Choir". This all-men's choir was DeeEl's choir -- I think he was the president of the choir comprised mostly of older gentlemen (60s-70s) with a few younger generation representatives (4 or 5). They sang and opening song and a closing song, and the closing song was most moving.

Mom, Dad, and I were seated (in that order) on the second row of the chapel near the east wall. The choir began singing the closing song, "I'll Be Seeing You," a song that became popular during World War II. It was beautiful to say the least, and I knew that Mom and Dad had probably heard it together at some time during their lives. I glanced at Mom and her eyes shed streams of sensitive tears. I glanced at Dad and knew that he felt her emotion -- he gently reached for Mom's hand and squeezed it ever so gently. I leaned back in my seat so they could have their privacy and hopefully without them knowing I knew what what transpiring. I, too, was very moved by the melody and the lyrics -- I couldn't help but contemplate what my parents might be thinking, knowing that their years together are limited and that they have a very strong love for each other. It was a very sensitive few moments and I am so thankful I caught a glimpse of it ---

We arrived home early Wednesday evening, and I know Mom and Dad were invigorated just knowing they went somewhere outside of Salt Lake County and lived to tell about it. It's got to be tough wanting so badly to keep a pace in line with your desires and thoughts and your physical body just can't do it --

A month or so in pictures --

Game Day

Junior high basketball began on Thursday -- early season this year. The boy in the picture is dressed in his best for game day. They got a win -- and the boy in the picture had 4-5 blocks, 9 rebounds, 16 points, and 4 personal fouls. He has set a pretty high standard to reach for the next few weeks.

Student of the Month

My son is 9th grade boy student of the month at his junior high. He is a pretty good boy, and it's always nice that others recognize his qualities. I know he is pretty quiet at school, but when he comes home his personality shines. He makes a laugh, he is a hard worker, he loves his little nephews, he accepts responsibility, he has amazing bodily functions, and more.

I think I am most proud of my son because he is kind and nice to others. He has a wide variety of kids/friends who like to hang out with him -- they play video games, tennis, and basketball, and do their homework and help each other out.

He's my son of the month year long!

Phone Numbers

So, do you remember old phone numbers? My Grandma Huber's phone number was HU4-0649 (HU was an abbreviation for HUNTER). Grandpa Eccles' phone number was IN6-7850 (IN was an abbreviation for INGERSOL). My parent's number was BY7-2931 for many years and I think Karl's mom's number was CY8-8901 (not sure what BY stood for but CY stood for CYPRUS). I can even remember the day of two-party lines when you could pick up the phone and listen to someone's conversation. Our family got a private line when my dad was called to be a bishop in 1963. I don't really know why I remember those numbers, I just do. Now I try to remember land line numbers, cell numbers, e-mail addresses, and a bunch of other stuff plus an area code (or three).

Football Finally Finished

Oh my! We've been doing the football gig since July 26th. Willie has had 3 or more practices a week since then. Actually, until the games began it was five practices a week plus sometimes on Saturday. It's a huge family commitment -- but well worth it. Just when we thought the season was finished last Saturday, it wasn't because the Hunter Wolverines made the playoffs! The playoff game was this morning, Hunter vs. Bingham. It was a battle and we came up 20 points short.

Willie has had an awesome season -- he improved in every area of the game, especially in speed. He is running faster, hitting faster, and getting a jump on the game in so many ways. He finally got to see some significant defense time after many years of offense only. I loved every minute of every game even the losses.

Until next year -- and that will be high school -- serious business!

November

What can you say about November?

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, National Novel Writing Month, Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, Transgender Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month, and the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory in the Roman Catholic Church.

November Events
First Tuesday
In Australia, the Melbourne Cup horse race is held annually on the first Tuesday in November.

Tuesday After the First Monday
In the United States, elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November (between November 2 and November 8). In even-numbered years, members of the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms, and about one third of the U.S. Senate are elected to six-year terms. The President of the United States is elected in years divisible by four. Most U.S. states, counties, and municipalities have some part of their election cycle coincident with this date.

November 11 is always Veterans' Day.

Third Wednesday
GIS Day is held the 3rd Wednesday of November during Geography Awareness Week.

Third Thursday
The Great American Smokeout sponsored by the American Cancer Society occurs on the third Thursday of November, one week before Thanksgiving. Smokers are encouraged to quit smoking for these 24 hours, in hopes that they will quit forever. It is also International Philosophy Day

Fourth Thursday
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is a famous day for shopping known as "Black Friday," and the Monday immediately following Thanksgiving Day in the USA is Cyber Monday.

NABLOPOMO Slacker

I can't believe I've missed two days of NABLOPOMO -- rats! I am going to try to keep up from now through the end of the month. It's been a crazy month so far. Just when we thought little league football was over, we found out the junior team made the playoffs -- you know football players live for the playoffs. So, our team plays Bingham on Saturday, November 7, 10:30 a.m. in Park City (of all places for a neutral field). We lost to Bingham 7-6 earlier in the season -- I know we can give them a good game, in fact, we can beat them!