SCOTT: Some Sibling Target Practice

We've quit giving each other stuff we don't need or want for presents.  The family has, instead, gone with a variety of experiential gifts (i.e. hot-air balloon rides, trips to STL, etc.) for Christmas, Parent's Days, Birthdays, Ground Chuck Day, etc.  Unfortunately, with our schedules, making these events actually occur is nigh unto impossible.  So, in reality we all get off cheap... or cheated.

"Dad, Jaime & I are going to take you to (Fill In the Blank Museum)." 

That one never happened.

"Mom, here's a gift certificate for a Massage!"

The location closed before she got around to it.

My birthday gift to Jaime this year was a morning out at the range and lunch... what better way to bond than through the haze of gun smoke & BBQ?  And since, it was something I really wanted to do, it was bound to happen!

We borrowed a friend's Buckmark .22 (thanks, Chase!), which, when coupled with a few other larger caliber items, lent itself to a whole barrel of fun.  It's a sweet, well-balanced, smooth-shootin' machine.  It also turned out to be Jaime's fave.  Though she's shot long guns quite a bit, this was Jaime's first turn at a handgun and she gave Annie Oakley a run for her money.

Below is a vid of Jaime going cyclic with a 9mm... (OK, she's not really... that's the type of irony usually reserved for our blog over here).

Anyway, it was birthday good times in the country!

A Memorial

When Dad passed away, there was an outpouring of generosity in his memory.  A committee was formed to find an appropriate use for those funds and the decision was made to remodel APC's outdoor signage.  The original sign was, well, the original... from when the church was built over 30 years ago.  It was one the things on Dad's to-do list that got started, but just never got crossed off.

On Sunday, September 30th, APC held a memorial service for Pastor McGarvey and unveiled the new sign.  It was a very touching service, with memories and laughter and a few tears.  The video that was played is below and more pictures are here.  On the sign there is a plaque that faces the Memorial Garden with a dedication in his memory.  It was great to have so many of the St. Louis clan in attendance for the service and dinner afterward.

Last week the family attended the UPCI General Conference in St. Louis for the Memorial Service on Friday evening.  During his sermon on Friday afternoon, Pastor Aaron Soto gave honor to Dad as his mentor.

Just this week, I was talking with an alum of the College where I work and she asked about our family.  Dad had volunteered in a local retirement center where she worked for many years and she reminisced about how friendly and loving he was, both to the residents and the staff.

This hasn't been an easy year.  I suppose none of them are from "that day" forward.  It was nice to take some time and remember him and who he was and all the lives he touched... all the time.

Pastoral Tribute from The Carpenter's Studio on Vimeo.