Christmas 2021

Maureen and Nathan

Married December 12, 2020, Mo and Nathan were able to hold their wedding reception July 31 of this year. Aunt Eileen took fun outdoor photos; Myers Grill catered delicious food, and friends and family joined to celebrate in ways we couldn't the December before. 

The wedding party

The real wedding party

Norma's front porch

A Celebration of Mom's Life

Mom died December 23, 2020, after a few weeks of complications from strokes. A family funeral was held January 2- very limited viewing and no community meal. We 23 immediate family members went to a nearby restaurant. It was such a lonely time- to mark the end of Mom's life without family and friends able to hug and feed us. In March, we siblings cleaned out Mom's house and divided up her things. There were more things than we wanted, so we invited in the Beck relatives who seemed happy for a dish or two. Mom had taken pictures of her special dishes and wrote about each one in a journal. We cut the journal apart, so folks got the dish and Mom's handwriting about the dish!

 On September 11, we siblings hosted a Celebration of Life meal with a short program. We were grateful to hear stories from family and friends, but know a number of people who would typically have been there were  missing. I created a cookbook for the family of Mom's favorite recipes and we were able to pass those out as a last gift from Mom to her friends and family. This pandemic has really hampered the rites and rituals that serve an important purpose in our lives. 

May we not take these times for granted when we again get the opportunity to mark important passages of life.

Nearly a year to the date, Aunt Arva Beck had a stroke and died suddenly. Both she and Mom were 88. The generation before them lived well into their 90s so it's hard to understand why they didn't get to see the next decade. Both, however, got their wishes and were able to remain in their own homes until their deaths. I hope for that as well. 

Sadie and Daisy

What's all the fuss about a dog? Says the cat. 

One of our farm cats needed a little TLC so became a house cat. Siamese Sadie finally achieved success with the litter box. Just in time to be joined by a little whirly dervish Dachshund puppy: Daisy Mae! She had some leg problems so my neighbors weren't able to sell her and gave her to me. The vet says we really got lucky, as it looks like she's outgrowing her problems. The two of them entertain each other (and us) by ripping around the house until exhausted- when they fall asleep together in a dog bed. Adorable. She is whip smart and hopefully will figure out how to control that bladder!

A new toy

The Farm

The John Deere 9500

After a good spring planting, the rains stopped for the summer. Despite the less than ideal growing conditions, the corn yielded pretty well. Agronomist Mo says that's due to superior Pioneer corn seed stock she sells! It's fun to watch Doug check in with Mo about plans for inputs and treatments. Late rains helped the beans out; but didn't stop that tree from jumping out of the brush and bending my combine unloading elevator! That cost us a day but we were so glad parts could be found and Doug and our young mechanic neighbor Tobin could install the new one. 

Every time I turned my back, Brent found another "must have" on the internet for us to purchase... a dump truck to haul rock (and grain), a sprayer, and an excavator. The next piece of equipment is HIS to buy! :) The story on the excavator: We are using it to take down old buildings... once that's done, we'll sell it again. Teresa and I looked at each other and said, There's no way that toy is every leaving this farm!

Thank goodness Mo can drive the semi!

Teresa & Brent love camping with their friends

My Work

I really enjoy my work as Training Director for the University of Iowa Pediatric Division of Child and Community Health. I train peer support specialists for the workforce; but also train families of children with disabilities. Family Leadership Training equips parents to participate in improving the system of care for children with special needs. Over the last 7 years, we have over 70 grads; many of whom are serving on family advisory councils and statewide boards. Some even got legislation passed to improve children's lives! Very proud. This year we have added several storytelling trainings. You can view the short digital stories at our YouTube page. 

Jean Gingerich & I enjoy being MYF sponsors

Health

Christmas blogs can get weighed down with health things, but thought I should report a major one: Doug had rotator cuff surgery in January. During the surgery, the docs got all excited about his heart rate. Of course, they wouldn't tell me what was going on, nor would they let me in. I just about used my work badge and snuck in, but I thought I'd obey the rules. The pandemic is hard on everyone in health care. Turns out he has A-fib. He got along fine with both his shoulder rehab and his heart. On a few medications. Last time the doc checked he was in rhythm again. Sounds like it will be just something to live with. 

The Brenneman family wishes you safe holiday celebrations. 
May you be aware anew of the blessings God is bringing to your life.