Last Pic of Gramma Bauer?

This picture is accompanied by a note which reads:

To Chiz and Kitty,
I think this was
the last picture mother
had made in 1941, I think.

Love Eileen

Gramma Bauer is pictured with John Lee McClain

Three Little Bauers Sitting In A Row

I am not sure who is who in this picture.

Update from Mom: Alice on the left, Frances in the middle and Eileen on the right.

Catherine and Johnny Merrill

Edward and John Bauer

Two of my uncles, on my father's side, died on Valentines Day (not sure of the year) when their sled went under an ice truck... at least that's the story as I remember it. Mom, feel free to correct me.

Their funeral.

As usual, click on all pics for bigger images.

The Benefits of Family

So my wife and I were taking our daughter to a local Catholic high school for an open house. Once my wife and I got past the idea that our daughter was entering high school, we scoped out the school for a certain teacher... a very very smart lad... my nephew Phil.

The weird part of getting older is that all of the little kids in your family, the nieces and nephews, grow up. Whenever I think of Phil I think of this little boy who had trouble saying "truck!" It's hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that he is a college graduate, incredibly smart and now a teacher at his high school alma mater. Time flies once you pass thirty!

So, during the open house we eventually spied Phil, his back to us working on a computer. My wife walked up to him, put her hands over his eyes and asked him to guess who it was. Phil's mind was swimming... recognizing the voice slightly, thinking it was family, but certain that no family would be stopping by his school that day. Much to his surprise (or disappointment) it was us.

We had a nice chat as he juggled catching up with us and keeping up with his duties during the open house. It was great to see him and left us even more impressed by his accomplishments.

On the drive home my daughter confided that entering high school is a scary proposition, but knowing her cousin would be there in case of an emergency gave her a lot of comfort.

The perks of being part of a large family.

At this point, we're not sure where our daughter will go to high school, but that Catholic school certainly has an edge... we hear one of their teachers is pretty dang good!

Virgin Birth

My wife and I have been going to a bible study over the last few months and, when studying the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of God intervening to allow women previously barren to produce off spring.

It occurred to me that, for Jews raised with that understanding of God's participation in such events, that the idea of a Virgin Birth, with Jesus being conceived in Mary, would not be that dramatic of an event, or that unique. Where for New Testament focused Christians, we may not understand that God has allowed or brought life into the wombs of women throughout history, this may be a singular event, for old school Jews, this is just another example where God stepped in to allow his covenants to continue.

Just a thought.