~ Come Sit At My Table & Celebrate My Birth .... ~

Robert Ingersol Neu, my Mother's Father, was a real character with a great sense of humor. He was a 'handy man' doing odd jobs. When he worked in the Somerville Mill in Napavine, WA, one night he cut HALF of a fellow workers handlebar moustache off, & then took a hike ... when the fella woke in the morning, furious, he had a LOT of choice words for G'pa. G'pa rode a Harley Davidson 3-wheeler ... I loved those rides around town perched on top of the carrier platform on the back (that is where they put ice & groceries), hair blowing (no seat belts), waving to everyone. He migrated from NE, his parents were from Germany.

Loved this man ... jolly G'pa had a twinkle of mischief in his eyes always.

His invitation to join Jesus was Dec. 19, 1949.

My Mother, Mary Caroline Neu Middaugh ...

You left us on Christmas Eve 1989 while we were in Mass … how precious of Jesus to pick you for this glorious day to help prepare His celebration of birth & sit beside Him, Mother … know that you are so desperately still missed.

You had such a fun & loving youth, were adventuresome & joyful, worldly travelled. You left your heart in Ireland, oh, so long, long ago. (Her Mother was from Ireland).

Raising 5 children single handed, you molded us all to be where we are today … strong individuals that love life & treasure our relationships in life. You carried us thru such difficult times that were very dire, but you never once gave up … this strength taught us all can be surmounted in the face of uncertainty.

You made sure that we were given every ounce of your love, to make up for living in a one parent home, providing us as best you could … alone. So selfless, you were …

Your quiet, yet strong wisdom was not always welcomed, but as adults we know & can hear those words echoing in our ears … oh, to hear your voice once again. Thank you for bearing with us as we grew into our adulthood.

Our long chats, travelling together, chatty lunches at the diner ... your delicious family swiss steak dinners together … that gentle touch … a soft hug … our sharing family stories of yore … memories in the making, have held me together in moments like this second, as I weep for you now ... tears flow looking at your pictures, remembering the love I feel for you in my heart & soul, that would beg for just one more day … one more word … one more gentle touch ...

Shamrocks & kisses, Mother … a broken hearted daughter that loves you forever… how blessed I am. One day we will be rejoined … get those Pinochle cards out, I’ll be ready. Hugs of love, I miss you. Your loving daughter …

…

On Christmas morning 1981, Jesus came & invited you to join Him for His birthday celebration. How blessed you were.

Grandma Hepsie … your life was a very hard life in Oklahoma raising 6 children alone. The era you lived in was tough, the land of the country was not kind, you scraped by with loving family surrounding you to see you all made it thru the ‘tough times’ in Oklahoma.

I remember when we went to your 100th birthday party, by now you were blind, had cancer, nearly deaf, & completely incapacitated. You hadn’t seen Harold in 25 or 30 years. As Harold bent over & said ‘Hi, Grandma’ you immediately said ‘Harold’. You recognized his voice. How overjoyed we both were to have this memory to cherish.

G'ma was just a few weeks short of 104 when she went home.

How blessed you were to have such a wonderful greeting as you entered Heaven … a joyous day.

May your soul rest forever in peace …

(Yes, that is Harold & me, ack!)

*****