Gloria performed this at the Lakeland Players Theater Arts Camp this past August - just for Paul :)    So proud of her.

April 27, 2007  Why We Should Build a Fort
Dear Dad, There are many reasons why we should build a fort. Building a fort would give us training as a carpenter, and we would learn to use many tools. We would learn about designing a structure and cutting trails. Another good reason to build a fort is that we can make use of some of the dead trees and logs on our property. While constructin a fort, we would get plenty of good exercise and fresh air. Having a fort out in the woods would give us an exciting place to play. If we make a fort, we could have a better time playing with our friends. We like to play cowboys, pirates, Swiss Family Robinsons, and Davy Crockett. Wouldn't you think a fort would make it easier for this kind of play? However, the best reason of all for building a fort is so that I could spend quality time with my dad. I think it would b e the most fun I have ever had to work alongside my dad to build a fort. Love you, Dad. Ben  

April 27, 2007

Why We Should Build a Fort

Dear Dad,
There are many reasons why we should build a fort. Building a fort would give us training as a carpenter, and we would learn to use many tools. We would learn about designing a structure and cutting trails. Another good reason to build a fort is that we can make use of some of the dead trees and logs on our property. While constructin a fort, we would get plenty of good exercise and fresh air. Having a fort out in the woods would give us an exciting place to play. If we make a fort, we could have a better time playing with our friends. We like to play cowboys, pirates, Swiss Family Robinsons, and Davy Crockett. Wouldn't you think a fort would make it easier for this kind of play? However, the best reason of all for building a fort is so that I could spend quality time with my dad. I think it would b e the most fun I have ever had to work alongside my dad to build a fort.
Love you, Dad.
Ben  

My daughter Lucia is two.  Every day she asks me to tell her stories about Papa.  Just like her papa, she loves picking up rocks.  

My dad liked the outdoors, and he liked playing jokes on people.  On backpacking trips, he was known to pick up rocks from the side of the trail, and ask other people to carry them home for him.  And sometimes he actually persuaded them to do it.  Once, he picked up a rock and was walking with it when he tripped and fell.  He smashed his finger on the rock and had to visit the ER.  He told me in March that he still didn't have feeling in that finger.  All for a joke that he never got to play.

I told Lucia that her papa loved picking up rocks, and that one time, he fell and hit his finger on his rock and broke his little finger.  The next day, out of the blue, she looked at me and said, "Mama, I like rocks.  One time, a rock broke my finger, this little finger right here."  I think she's a little conused.

We have all heard that one of the most important characteristics of being a good friend involves showing up for one’s friends’ momentous and important occasions.  Paul Koehler was definitely one of those true-blue friends.  My son Seth earned a music performance degree from Wayne State University; he finished his undergraduate degree in December. As a performance major, he was required to perform a senior recital. The recital was in November, just before Thanksgiving, and the weather turned out to be horrible – freezing rain and ice, wind and sleet. Several of my friends who had planned to attend the performance let me know that they would not travel in the treacherous weather.  Paul and Ellen Koehler, however, did show up.  Paul drove to Detroit and braved the elements in order to support Seth (and his family). I will always be grateful and gratified that Paul and Ellen made the extra effort to attend that important event in Seth’s life. Paul, along with Ellen, demonstrated on that wintry November night, by “showing up”, that they were faithful, steadfast friends.

Living away from the family has created distance since I was 18. But the best memories truly have followed me throughout my journies across the country and until now. IIt all started with travelling to Canada and the 4H group backpacking for days. All the while learning everything there is about outdoor survival, and living off the land. From there we went down to Kentucky and caving and staying active at Planet Rock in Pontiac Michiga. This was all accomplished while feeling like i belonged in their family. This was his nature to give as much if not more than was received.

He will always be missed.