July Recap- Home to Wisconsin

 Right Now- July Recap

I'm listening to a song...with the lyrics seeming a perfect fit for this recap...

These are the days I will remember These are the faces I want close (faces I want close)

If everythin' changes and we're not together

These days I will remember, these days I will remember

Ensuring  that I remember days and stories is what prompted me to start this blog so many years ago...so please bear with me as I reflect on this one last trip

"Home to Wisconsin"

When my father passed away in September 2022- we decided to hold off on the committal of his ashes until a later date.  My sister and I were spent- and the cemetery where dad's ashes would be placed- was several hours from where he had been living.   Clearly too much to do in one day- and for sure, more than we were ready to take on at the time.

1989- when the family marker was first unveiled

As winter approached, my sister and I started to talk about when to place his ashes.  We were both feeling weary but knew it was that final step in the process.   It was at this time, that my nephew chimed in- "Of course, you do it July 15th".   Happy to have someone willing to make this decision- we started to plan for this event.

A Glacier Birthday-July 2011

Why July 15th?   Well, July 16th would have been my dad's 90th birthday- and so it seemed rather appropriate to have one last celebration in his honor just prior to his birthday.   

With the "when" decided, we quickly moved on to the where and the what of this final tribute.   

Where- was an easy answer...The Wolf River Cemetery...

Located right next to the Little Church in the Pines..

just south of Fremont, WI...in the area that my maternal relatives settled and farmed..

and where my parents got married...on August 22, 1959

We'd be fortunate to be joined by  two of my mom's bridal attendants

 and her flower girl on this sunny Saturday morning... 

Connie Basseuner...went to great lengths to ensure she could make it...

And Flower Girl Lynn would lead us all in song...

And Aunt Birdie would show us all how it's done- living a vibrant independent life at age 90!  

This celebration all came together perfectly...

My sister lead us through the service...

and I had figured out a solution to my dad's request for a 

"and in the end, a Jazz Parade"...

and together we'd soak in the love shared by so many 

 as family...

and friends...

ensured my dad's final party was a success! 

There would be other days to remember during this trip

After a day running around West Bend- 

enjoying Matt's paella-expertly crafted on the Big Green Egg

A day spent sitting on the pontoon-enjoying the company of 

forever friends...

A day spent hitting the trail (no not really- more like an hour tops...)

A day spent trying my hand at paddle boarding

(another false truth- more like minutes of "snap the picture before I fall off this thing)

A drive day...where we'd question what's going on here...

with a lunch break with the folks that call this place home!

Una- we can't let another 10 years pass before we see each other!

A day spent exploring the delights of Eagle River...

and finding time for a quick cruise along the lake

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Priefer...

You have a lovely home on Stormy Lake...

Another day of driving..

with a brief stop for Ice cream...where yep-

the cows were headed off for milking..

During these 12 days- I found myself being at peace 

with a strong sense of closure settling in.

For this trip closed out the obligation of visiting Wisconsin..and I see myself shifting gears..

While I will always remember the days of "going home" to Wisconsin...

I am going to  pair it with the reality...that it is time for me to head home

To  Colorado 

For this place is indeed my home...

Where my circle of friends has grown through the years...

and the setting sun..

along with the sitting son...

makes me smile!

Until next time...may you too remember the days...

and the stories...