Patriotism

Today we went to the Dodge City VFW for dinner.  They were honoring winners of the essay contest.  My daughter Hannah brought home second place!  Her friend Maddie took first and her friend Amber took third in the Junior High division.  They were to write an essay of no more than 400 words on "What Patriotism Means to Me".  What follows is what she wrote.


Patriotism.  What does it mean to have great patriotism?  Patriotism means the love of your country and the willingness to sacrifice for it.  But yet, what are we supposed to sacrifice?

In school, we learn about all these great historians who were willing to stand for what they believed in.  Let's talk about Rosa Parks for example, on December 1st of 1955; she refused to give her seat to a white passenger.  She probably knew what was going to happen to her when she did it, but she was willing to take the consequences because she wanted other people like here to have the same rights as everyone else.  I believe she showed great patriotism because she sacrificed herself for us to have a better nation.

I don't necessarily believe that you have to be willing to sacrifice something for your country to show great patriotism.  I believe that patriotism means that you are proud to be from the United States, you proudly stand when the National Anthem is played, you enjoy the freedom and rights you have as an American, and are willing to help make the country better.  It means that you are thankful for the people who served for us, and are serving now.

I found this quote that I really feel as if it relates to this and is basically describe exactly what I was thinking.  It is from www.cnn.com and someone said, "Patriotism is not something that can be described in one word, one sentence, or in one paragraph.  It can be described in that one moment.  You just know that moment."  For me, that one moment is on the Fourth of July, when I see the American Flag waving on almost every flag pole and I see the fireworks in the background.  It reminds me why being an American is so special.  And that is What Patriotism Means to Me.


I was very impressed when I read her essay.  Her mom and I and her sister were proud to sit in the audience today as they read her name and she went forward to receive her award.  We had a great meal and she got a couple of cash awards for essay.  I don't know what Hannah will want to do when she graduates from high school.  I know she will go to college.  Who knows, maybe someday a child in the future will have to write an essay and Hannah will be their inspiration.  Whatever she does, I am sure she will be a Patriot.  It runs in her blood.  Proud of you, Boog.  We love you.

Aunt Leona

This last week we closed another chapter in the Nutty Clusters family history.  My Aunt Leona, or Aunt Onie, as we lovingly called her, passed away on Monday, December 9.  When I think of Aunt Onie I think of fishing, camping, farming, telling jokes and having fun with her family.  I remember all of the campouts we had at the Lechner farm.  I remember going to their house in Harper for family get togethers, New Year Eves or just to visit.  I remember visiting with them in South Dakota when they custom cut and we were on vacation.  We always had fun with them.

While I was driving to Harper for the funeral, I was thinking of all of these things.  During the service the pastor read the scripture for his message, Proverbs 31:10-17, 24-28.       10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  I really think this scripture fit Aunt Onie to a T and so did the pastor as his sermon reflected on these verses and how he compared her to them.

This has been a hard year for our family. Losing Uncle Lindy in May, Randall in October and now Aunt Leona.  I have always wondered why God lets a person die so close to Christmas.  But yet there are always people who die on Christmas Day.  Losing my dad almost 5 years ago makes you notice the date and wonder why.  But, who are we to question God’s plan?  Our family has had our share of deaths in December and some of those are close to Christmas Day.  I will bet there was rejoicing in Heaven when Aunt Leona made her appearance.  Reunited with her husband, boys, sisters and parents, I am sure there were stories told.

My love and prayers go out to my Lechner cousins.  I won’t tell you it gets better, but it will.  Remember the good times (and the bad).   Share your memories with your kids so the stories are passed down and remembered.  I love you all, Ivan.

 

 

Marigolds and Family

My cousin Randall died this last week and his funeral was on Friday.  While I was unable to attend the funeral, it did not keep me from thinking of him.  Randall was 12 years older than me.  Most of my early memories are from the annual Labor Day campout the family used to have.  We would have it at the Lechner family farm north of Harper.  I remember one campout that we attended.  Most of my cousins had BB guns, but I did not.  Randall came to the rescue.  He and his girlfriend took me into town where we went to the family house and he came back out with a Daisy BB gun.  It was mine.  I still have it.  Another memory from the family campouts was the year Randall had a little too much to drink and he drove a tractor into one of Uncle Lindy’s pickups.   Randall had several hip replacements over the years.  A few years ago he was diagnosed with Leukemia.  That disease ultimately took his life.

Late Friday afternoon I was sitting on the back porch with Hannah.  She had stayed home sick from school and was sitting in the afternoon sun.  I was picking dead blooms off a Marigold plant.  I pulled the seeds out and asked her if she knew what they were.  She said they were seeds.  I told her she was correct and let the breeze blow them from my hand.  That got me thinking how a Marigold plant is like a family.

A plant grows, blooms, and then releases its seeds to establish new plants.  Follow my logic if you can.  Grandpa and Grandma Kahmeyer was the plant.  They met, their love grew and it bloomed.   From that union 10 kids were born.   Like the Marigold seeds they scattered in the wind.  While most of the family put down roots in Kansas, some went to Indiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska and other spots on the map.  We even had family overseas at times.  The younger  ‘seeds’ met the love of their life, that love grew and bloomed.  Now there are more seeds being scattered to the wind.  From the first ‘plant’ there are 35 first cousins.  I won’t even try to count second and third cousins.  Let’s just say the family is big.

Some of my cousins are closer than others.  I am definitely closer to the ones that grew up in Medicine Lodge.    It doesn’t matter how long it has been between visits, when you see certain ones you can talk about anything.  And you never know when you will run into one.  Yesterday, Saturday, I was surprised by couple of those first cousins.  Dave and Bill Wiske showed up on our doorstep.   They had been to Dodge City for some reason and when they were headed back to Medicine Lodge they decided to stop and see us.  We had a short but good visit.  Hope they stop by again sometime.

As the wind blows seeds around and they establish roots, so does a family.  Everyone has the plant where they came from and they call it home.   My home was in Medicine Lodge.  While I consider Ford my home now, Medicine Lodge is still home.  To my kids, Ford is home.  Ultimately we all have a common home.  Randall has went to that home.  Rest in peace, Cuz. 

Do you believe in Angels?

Ok, I know I just blogged yesterday evening, but something has been on my mind all day today and after discussing it with Susan she told me to blog about it.  So here it goes.

Yesterday morning Susan and I were sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee.  Susan realized the first day of October was coming up and she decided to get here Halloween blocks out.  These are blocks the girls and I got her for Christmas two years ago.  They were misplaced and we just found them this spring while cleaning Madison's room.

Susan's blocks

Anyway, to put them on the shelf, we had to move a mantle clock that we have.  This clock belonged to my Grandpa and Grandma Klusman.  I never met them.  This clock was at mom and dad's house for years.  Several  years ago, mom had it cleaned and 'serviced' and gave it to dad for Christmas, I believe.  Ok, I am getting there, give me time.  We have had the clock since we cleaned the folks house out.  I wound it a couple of times, but it didn't keep the best time.  I don't even know the last time it was wound.  After we moved it yesterday, about 15 minutes later, it chimed.  Twelve times.  And it continued to chime on the half hour and hour until about 9:15 or 9:30 last night.

The clock

 

What got me to thinking was this:  Five years ago yesterday mom died.  We moved the clock somewhere around 9:00 am.  I am pretty sure this is somewhere right around the time mom died.  Coincidence?  I don't  know.  Do I believe in ghosts?  No.  Do I believe in guardian angels?  Yes.  I have other stories about guardian angels, but they are for another time.  I believe that we all have someone special who 'watches' out for us.  Maybe this was mom's way of telling me that time has a way of easing pain.  I miss mom a lot.  There is rarely a day or two that goes by without me thinking of her.  The chiming didn't bother Susan or I.  It woke Madison up the first time.  Hannah made the comment last night that if it chimed during  the night, she was coming downstairs and sleeping on the couch.  I never heard it after 9:30.  Hannah slept in her room all night. 

 

Why did the clock chime?  All we did was move it off center on the shelf.  Does this bother me?  No.  Will it ever happen again?  I hope so.  Maybe it is someone saying, "Don't worry.  All will be alright."  Anyway, I am going to leave you with one more picture.   I took this in Western Kansas this spring.  Couldn't really tell what it looked like on my phone until I downloaded it to my laptop.  I see an angel.  Arms stretched out, face tilted back looking toward Heaven.  Maybe it's my guardian angel.  I think I will call her Mom.

 

Prayer

So, what do you pray for?  Judging by what people put on Facebook, they pray for just about anything.  Don't get me wrong, prayer is a good thing.  But, sometimes I wonder if people really think about what they are praying for. I don't really remember what I have prayed for or when I have prayed.  But I do remember what I was praying for five years ago today.  That was the day my Mom left this Earth and reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.  My siblings and I,  along with the rest of the family, was praying for Mom and for Dad. 

 

Sometimes prayer can be a struggle.  I have a hard time being specific about what I am praying for.  My sister, Ann, is a natural at prayer.  Any time the family is together Ann is the one to pray.  She always says just the right thing and more often than not, I end up with tears in my eyes.  Of course, that is most of the time.  If you know me I cry at just about anything. 

 

Are prayers answered?  To me there is no question: Yes they are.  God may not always answer your prayer the way you want it answered, but he does answer it.  Sometimes it may be days or months before they are answered.  You may not always realize it was answered.  Five years ago, our prayer was for Mom not to suffer and to go home soon.  That prayer was answered quickly.  Three short months later we had the same prayer for Dad.  They were both at peace with God and He knew it.  Our prayers ARE answered.

 

Today at church the scripture in the bulletin was Matthew 5 verse 4, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."  Just seeing those words were a comfort.  I was thinking about Mom this morning when I woke up.  Hard to believe it has been five years already.  Last weekend Susan and I attended my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Frannie's Fifty wedding anniversary party.  Seeing all of Mom's sisters together is really something.  All of them, in one way or another, remind me of Mom.  Some of them look like her.  Some sound like her.  It is really comforting to know she is not forgotten.

 

So, what do you pray for?  Tonight I pray for my girls, give them both strength to do things they don't want to do and for the things they do want to do.  I pray for wisdom for both of them, that they may make good decisions.  I pray for health for all my family and friends. (And my enemies.)  I pray for our nation's leaders to make wise decisions.  And, I pray for you, my friends on facebook.  Have a good and productive week.

Bad blogger!

I know what you're thinking, "Wow she's has been a really bad blogger and hasn't blogged in about a month." Well I apologize, this family has a very busy schedule. With Volleyball going on, Madison being in college, and going back to school and work. We haven't really been home much.  Yet alone write a blog. So to catch you up on a couple of things, I have created the Three Things I need to Blog about List. And well here it is.

1- First day of school! This year was quite different from last year. I am the only Klusman child going to Bucklin Schools. And let me tell you, I'm not very happy with that fact. I still haven't wrapped my brain around the fact that I won't see Madison everyday. But I was probably not as nervous about this fact, as Madison was about going to college without knowing anyone.

2- I'm an Eighth grader! Whoop Whoop!  Top dog over here! The homework is a bit harder but not that much. I miss my Freshman friends a lot! And sports are going to be totally different compared to last year, which brings me to number 3.

3- Volleyball!!!!!!!! This certain subject deserves a ton of exclamation marks because my team is doing great this year! We have played Pawnee Heights, Fowler, South Gray, Minnoela, and Ashland. Out of those games, we have only lost to Fowler which we should of won. During that game however, I landed on my ankle wrong after coming down from a hit, and couldn't play the rest of the game. My ankle was very big to say the least. Couldn't walk on it Friday, and decides to go to the doctors on Monday to get it look at. I ended up not doing anything very damaging, just getting a bad sprain. Couldn't play for a week after that. Which meant I would be helping my teammates from the bench. But I am back now, and helped my team win against Minneola and Ashalnd! And so tomorrow we play Hodgeman County, and hopefully can pull out a win! I believe that this year, we meant be able to pull off another league championship!( Knock on wood for me!)

I would post some pictures on here for you but I need to go study for a history test...fun. Hopefully, I filled you in on some parts that my dad( Ivan) hasn't been writing about.! And maybe I will do another blog soon or maybe I won't. Just got to keep checking!

-Hannah.

23 years of love.

23 years ago today, Susan took a chance.  She took a chance on this skinny, bearded, mullet wearing boy.  And what a chance it was.  At the time I was working at the local grocery store in Medicine Lodge.  In less than 5 months time I had been offered and accepted a job with Hammel Scale in Dodge City.  We moved to Dodge City in February of 1991.  And I guess, as they say, the rest is history.

 

 

Our marriage, like any marriage, has had its ups and downs.  But, we have had a lot more ups than downs.  And we made it through the downs.  What has helped us?  Love and faith in each other.  When we moved to Dodge, we just had each other.  No family to help us out.  We learned to make things happen.

I have always said that Susan was my best friend.  And I mean that.  Not only is she my best friend, she is my confidant, the one I tell all my secrets to.  She has listened to me rant and rave about work and when things don’t  work out.  She is my true love.  In fact, shortly after we started dating, I told her I was going to marry her.  She laughed.  But guess who was right.  We have been married for 23 years, but I have known her for 26 years.  A long time together.  Hopefully, many years to go.

So, today, after 23 years of marriage, two wonderful girls, four moves, (the final one to our project house) I can honestly say I would do it all over again.  There might be some things we would want to change, but I don’t think I would change anything.  Susan, it’s been a great 23 years.   I hope you never regret taking a chance on me.  I love you with all my heart. 

 

 

                               HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!  I LOVE YOU!!