Ted - May 4th, 1973 - April 29th, 1999

Today, May 4th, my second son, would have been 35. An accident took his life Thursday April 29th, 1999.

He was fun, wore an earring, curly hair, easy going, and was just ready to start getting settled. Serious girlfriend, a good gal, kind and gentle, as they were looking for a house, and, life, and an accident, stopped it all. He was everything I am not.

 

Ted
New Prague, Minnesota, Fall 1986

Ted liked to play football as a tackle. I never understood why, as, some big farm kid could literally pick him up and carry him back across the line. But he always played his heart out, irregardless.

Ted was playing an afternoon game at New Prague. Red Wing put up a valiant defense, but sadly, New Prague won. After the game was over, he wanted to ride home with me. Told the coach and off we went.

On the way to the car, I showed him my new camera, a Pentax 6x7. The sun was on the horizon, and we created some images. This is the best of them. What a fun day it was - for both of us.

People like this image of Ted. Although he is young, I believe it captures the spirit and very essence of my son.

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A Penny Story

A while ago, during long walks, I started to find pennies. Sometimes a nickel, once in a while a dime or a quarter. But always, pennies, lots of pennies.

Everywhere.

I found them on the street, in my car, at church, at work, as I knelt to help my mother at my father's funeral. Even walking away from my son's grave.

At first, I put them in a small cup which quickly overflowed into a mug, then a quart jar and finally, five quart pails. Over the years, I have found thousands.

The ways of our Creator are not found in boisterous, loud headlines, but, in quiet, constant ways. Ways we may not understand at first. Ways we have to trust.

Jesus was born in a cattle stable, laid in a feed trough, wrapped in a rough smelly horse blanket. Shepherds, not kings, were the first to visit as Angels announced His birth.

The penny is the lowest coin of our realm. In a practical sense, it is almost worthless, left behind at the register. The Creator uses these pennies to remind you and I we are not alone. To not be afraid. To trust in Him.

Our Creator is patient and beside us every day of our lives. The Penny, imprinted with this reminder, "In God We Trust", He uses these coins, to show us His presence, His care, His love for us.

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Time for Janice Joplin, in Spirit anyway, to join me. Yep, once again.

Later ...