Brother-in-law Dale's wake is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. I am guessing both events will be crowded with friends of the Bindes. They have lived in the Lake Park area for perhaps 20+ years and have been very active in community so many will come to pay their last respects and honor Dale. Following is what I would have liked to say at Dale's wake but with this bum hamstring which still has me hopping on one foot I asked son John if he would read it.
A MAN OF THE LAND
The spring sun was brilliant
winter snow melted into puddles
the Binde farm home
was in for a big change
The first of many children
came with April showers
a baby boy was born
his imprint would last forever
The chosen name was DALE
some say it means valley
perhaps we can expand that to
FARM IN THE VALLEY
Dale grew into adulthood
On the family farm he thrived
to the point where people said
Dale and farm meant the same
Some people play games
some people travel far
some people invent things
Dale was FARM—and more
To be a good caretaker
of the treasured land
Dale went off to college
he found wisdom and a lassie
Her name was Deborah
Deborah means bee
Dale knew it would mean
WE BEE IN LOVE FOREVER!
And so the D’s prospered
they grew in number
they tilled the land
they traveled the globe
From North Dakota prairie
to Minnesota farm land
the Bindes toiled and sweat
they built THEIR farm
It meant building
it meant remodeling
it meant fixing and restoring
together they labored-loved-dreamt
In life, age has its way
age always changes life
more Bindes, more adventures
but FARM, it was their staple
There was time for adventures
far and near, they hit the road
memories of so many travels
caution to the wind perhaps
There was California
south Texas, the east coast
the gulf coast, even Key West
no fancy hotels or fancy eating , just fun
Ask Deb about family travels
adventures here, there, everywhere
the fun, the excitement, did it ever stop
no, not with our Dale at the helm
Community called Dale’s name
county fairs with ribbons, school affairs
county roads both snow and garbage but
FARM, the land remained his bedrock
It seemed that life would
provide more adventures
so much more time with age
but our plans often…….
One day a foreign breeze blew in
perhaps it was the 10,000th hay bale
it seemed so very heavy
out of breath, Dale sat and pondered
Exhausted but still joyful and hopeful
Dale remained A MAN OF THE LAND
on a frigid winter day God beckoned DALE
Perhaps there is a farm in heaven
February 4, 2018
I am excited to visit the Dr. Monday. I am hoping he can release me to be more mobile. Also on Tuesday as I have my PT we will be able to start working on the hamstring. The gal said to not hope for a FAST recovery but we will see progress as long as I do not push it. Terry will also have a Dr visit Monday and we are so hoping that something can be resolved because that foot injury of hers has gone on way way way too long.
We had a super visit with Mary and Mark Saunders. They swam, walked on the beach, enjoyed our pool and of course the weather was perfect.
Enough for now. As I ponder life and think about how so many of us do not get to enjoy retirement I remind myself that I NEED to enjoy each minute, each day, each week.
I should not forget to mention that my tennis team won 2 courts and lost the third court on a 10 point tie breaker. It was a needed lift for the guys and it gave them confidence for the last half of the season. In the first half we earned 3 of a possible 15 points. I am on record as expecting a minimum of 6 points in the second half. If that does not happen it may be the end of the world, right? WRONG
I did finish my FP this morning.
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