Closing the Window One Last Time

We originally opened this blog during the early stages of Dad's sickness. His illness was new adventure for our immediate family; one we'd walked through with many others, but had never encountered on our own. The first entry was Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Since then, there've been over 31,000 page views.

The blog became the window we opened to bring our community of friends, family and coworkers up to the sidelines.  You cheered, cried, encouraged and shook your fists at the scourge that attacked the "Papa" so many of you cherished.

Over time, his condition ebbed and flowed and, unfortunately, so did our devotion to communicating with you. When something crazy happened, someone (usually me) would say, "This belongs on the Blog!"

But life would carry on and whatever "it" was... well, "it" just didn't get reported in a timely fashion.

So, while we've loved our interactions with each of you, it's time that we close the window... but we'll leave the shutters cracked just a bit. The blog will stay online because, quite frankly, we like skim its pages from time to time just as much as some of you.

This, however, will be the final post.

Thanks again for all the love and warm fuzzies you've sent our way over the past four years. It's been beautiful sharing our lives with all of you.

If you'd like, there are posts from time to time over at our blog, feel free to drop by and leave a note.

The Stanley-McGarvey Wedding

Glynnda McGarvey & Bill Stanley were married yesterday at the Tiger Hotel in Columbia, MO. It was a simple, beautiful ceremony with dinner following.

Bill's four children, two brothers and their families made the trip up from Texas. The Taylor clan was also well-represented.  Heidi and Cooper made a darling appearance as Flower Girl and Ringer Bearer. It took four preachers to seal the deal... Dustyn Tallman, Bobby & Joe Stanley and myself all had a piece of the action.

There were certainly tears. 

There was plenty of laughter. 

The newlyweds are in the process of resettling in a smaller space in Moberly and moving the bulk of Glynnda's life "back" to Texas from whence she came. I'm sure there will be some pictures to follow from the official photographer, but here are a few candids...

GLYNNDA: Piano Recital Finale

July 14th, 3 PM was the finale to a quarter of century of piano lessons and recitals in Moberly, Missouri! It was a lovely and emotional time for both students and audience as the music of twenty-two participants filled the auditorium. Tiffiany Daiprai, whom I have taught since 1996, appropriately chose and closed the recital with "You Raise Me Up" and "Sunrise, Sunset." I will miss all of my students who have practiced diligently and with whom I have shared both joys and sorrows. I wish each of you the best as we continue into another chapter of our lives!

Happy Mother's Day

Turning off VACANCY signs

Some of you have already heard some exciting news

that is happening in my life. To the remainder of my

friends, I am thrilled to share with you that

Billy Ray Stanley, an evangelist from Texas, has

been courting me and has proposed

and I have accepted. 

We will wed in a private ceremony

with our families on July 27, 2013.

Glynnda McGarvey

Facebook, April 27th, 2013

A son's mother moved to Moberly 25 years ago, following his father who was elected to pastor a small mid-Missouri church.

They established bank accounts and roots. They became friends with combine drivers and made grape jelly from the vines in the backyard. The church grew and shrank and the house got new siding. Mother-in-laws moved in and sons moved out. Daughters graduated, grand-babies appeared, the lawn was mowed and the basement flooded and holidays passed with gusto and sweet potato casserole.

Over and over and over it went until life changed directions and dreams and plans melted away and a VACANCY sign appeared over hearts.

Then the son said to his mom late one night, "Here. Let's get you a Facebook account. You can keep up with your friends."

And so did the kids of a preacher-man cowboy, whose VACANCY sign had been flickering in the darkness almost as long as hers.

And their friend requests poured in and he found her, hidden among Farmville updates and eCards.

"Have a Blessed Sunday!" that first message read, a tentative reach from deep in the heart out to a Texas Girl transplanted in Midwestern cornfields.

"WHAT DOES HE MEAN, "HAVE A BLESSED SUNDAY?!?" 

She roared the question at the son who got her on Facebook to begin with.  She was suspicious of the Cowboy's intentions.

"Ride the wave," the son responded, innocuously. "Sometimes it just means hello."

It took her seven days to respond... with a blatantly casual,  "Thank you."

Then a January message lead to a March phone call and cell phones had to be plugged in because batteries couldn't keep up with stories that led late into nights of memories; two Southerners reacquainting themselves with lives lived far apart.

Kids read emails and text messages and shook their heads at the change of minds as winter struggled to stay around in the warmth of love blooming.

The Cowboy Preacher drove north into the promise of a new beginning with an old family friend. There were meetings of minds. His. Hers. Her kids. A declaration around a table bursting with chicken grilled and potatoes smashed.

And 25 years later, a Texas girl goes back home.

To horses on the Gulf Coast.
To new adventures.
To love.

GLYNNDA: Annual Piano Recital

I had my annual piano recital on December 9th with a full house and 23 of my 30 students participating.  Musical selections are always a mix ranging from popular to classical to Christmas music to celebrate the season because I believe the students perform best when they are performing the music they love.  

Over the years the students have organized a variety of presentations to showcase their musicianship.  This year was no different.  One of my fourth graders accompanied her mother as she sang, and a second grade student accompanied herself as she presented two vocal solos.  Though the afternoon is fraught with stress and nervousness, it is still a wonderful musical memory maker for everyone involved.  

My thanks to all the parents, grandparents and care-givers who make it possible for the children to participate and to all the adults who choose to put yourself on the line for a thee to five minute performance!  I love sharing my love for the piano with you all!

Family Traditions: The Nutcracker Suite

It's Christmas and that means...

Da Da Da DAaa... DaDaDa... DaDaDa... DaDaDa... DaDa DaDa Ddadada...

Or, The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy from The Nutcracker!

See?  Now you're humming it, right?  You get the Da Da Da's? 

OK, maybe not. 

At any rate, that was Christmas a few weeks ago from Grammie to all of the kids, grand or otherwise.  And they did ah-mah-zing.  Cooper sat through the entire two-hour performance.  Entranced.  Heidi was wooting like she was at an Aerosmith concert at every break.  Ballet.  Stage Diving Divas.  It works.

This was the Moscow Ballet's interpretation of the classic and they had a few... interpretations.  Like the moon-walking mouse that showed up in Act II.  Or the cannon that shot confetti.  Perhaps that's what kept Cooper in his seat for so long.

Thanks to Mom for a wonderful night out at Jesse Auditorium!

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.

Missing You Together

So, after a massive storm this morning, we met at "Papa's Special Place" as Heidi calls it.  The kiddos dropped off pictures and flowers and Heidi read a story she'd written.  The new stone has been installed and grass is slowly healing the scar of earth.  It's a beautiful place, under a tree, on a hill side.  We all stop by more often than we talk about.  It's his place and ours.  Especially this week.

More pictures are over here.

We Miss You...

Vernon McGarvey

October 15, 1946 - September 25, 2011

There really aren't letters in any alphabet to form words that flow into sentences substantial enough to describe the utter feeling of loss that we, all of us, feel today.

There are small ways... and there are gigantic, canyon-deep, ocean-wide, gut-wrenching ways of missing you.

Some are unique to the individual, a memory that just one of us has of you; perhaps a shared laugh or a quiet nod of recognition, that answered call or jotted note.

And then there are the communal experiences that find us standing in a circle, hand-in-hand, staring together into a deep, open space of missing you.

Twelve months.  Three Hundred & Sixty-Five Days.  Not enough distance to stop up the emotion that sits just below the surface; threatening, waiting, ready to spill over, down the street.

Flooding our day. 

Washing us into missing you.

Facades, daily routines, trash cans emptied, bills paid, life moving inexorably around us. Past us.

Through us.

Rushing us away from today, from yesterday to last week, those months ago turning into...

A year ago.

A year gone.

A year of missing you.

____________________________________

Sunday, September 30th, at 10AM, there will be a 

tribute service & memorial dedication to Vernon McGarvey

at Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 2197 Six Mile Lane in Moberly.

Train Trips Through the Park

Moberly has a phenomenal park for a city of our size.  Rothwell Park is home to two large lakes, a massive sports complex, water park... and a train. Now, it's not the St. Louis zoo train, but for where we live, it's great.

For years, McGarvey family friends, like the Ballingers, Gerhards, and many others, have volunteered their finances, time and sweat to create an homage to Moberly's historical past.  Every Sunday throughout the summer, the whistle and the clackety music of the rails float through the Park, calling kids of every age.

One recent Sunday afternoon found us giddily awaiting the approach of the next open train.  It was Cooper's first train and Heidi's sophomore event.  It's a leisurely circuit through a mature forest, over trestle bridges and through dark tunnels.

Needless to say, it was such a hit we bought season passes.  

I think Cooper & Heidi liked it, too.

Mother's Day

MLK Celebration

For over 20 years, my family has been involved in the Martin Luther King, Jr service in Moberly.  From the early years, Dad worked with Sylvia Ganaway and others to produce the service; and there were times he emceed the service and he has preached the service.  He served on the MLK Scholarship committee, providing guidance and support.  Jaime has been a soloist numerous times.  Sylvia remembered once my family was away for the weekend and came back, suitcases still in the trunk, just in time to make the service.  This was the first year after Dad's passing and the MLK committee honored him during Monday's service at Second Baptist.  It was very nice... and fitting to memorialize two amazing and committed men that evening.

(photo: Connie Duval, MMI)

Merry Christmas from the Lodge!

Jaime baked the Turkey.
Johnathan carved the bird.
Ted created his aaaamazing pork roast & cranberries.
Glynnda got to use her new table cloth from the Caribbean.
Heidi got a shopping cart and Abby Cadabby.
Cooper got a horse and a guitar.
Scott & Suzi are researching pasture rentals and Gene Autry movies.

And that's what you missed at the Lodge!

(with a nod to Glee...)

 

Memorial DVD Available!

If you missed the Memorial Service or just want to re-live a wonderful evening, this is your chance.  This DVD includes the two hour event, plus the slide show from the Visitation.  Proceeds will benefit the Pastor McGarvey Memorial Fund.

Memorial DVD - $5
Memorial DVD - $8 (with shipping)

You can use the convenient Paypal button below to pay via direct debit or credit card. You may also send a check to Memorial DVD c/o APC, 2197 Six Mile Lane, Moberly, MO  65270.  Be sure to include your mailing address.  If you choose the Pick It Up option, please let me know how you plan on doing that in the order form's special instructions section.

I'll Pick It Up - $5.00 USD Ship It To Me - $8.00 USD

 

And to give you a brief glimpse of what's included,

here's Jaime's Eulogy to "All the Kids' Daddy."

Jaime's Eulogy from The Carpenter's Studio on Vimeo.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a quiet affair for the Lodge.  The Moberly folks stayed in town, and while we missed the STL clan, it was nice to ease through the day together.  I've been joking that it was a relief that Johnathan learned to carve the turkey (thus taking Dad's job) or we wouldn't have eaten!

After dinner, the weather was so nice we went out for an impromptu turn about the neighborhood.  The kids provided plenty of diversion and the fresh air helped open some space for dessert... well, more dessert.

Piano Recital

Over 140 music lovers and family members attended Mom's annual piano recital this weekend.  This year she had 26 tickling the ivories and 4 on the sidelines for various reasons.  This was probably the best recital I've seen in years.  There was the first grader who played and sang (even stopping to invite the audience to a sing-along!) and a great little number from Randy's brass quintet who accompanied his piece.

Congrats to Mom on another successful year in the music business!

Funeral Finale

At the end of Dad's funeral service, the final song featured family, community and church members with Shannon Arthur as soloist.  It was a wonderful wrap to a two-hour event that celebrated the character and faith of a great man of God.

The full service will be available via DVD soon.

Vernon McGarvey

Reverend Vernon McGarvey, 64, of Moberly, died Sunday, September 25, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family.  After a diagnosis of terminal colon cancer, he enjoyed two pain-free years with his family and friends, traveling to the Middle East and Europe.  He was able to see his first two grandchildren born during this miraculous time.

Vernon Donald McGarvey, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was born October 15, 1946.  He married Glynnda M. Taylor of Beaumont, TX in 1972 and was very proud of his two children, Scott and Jaime, both of Moberly and their spouses, Suzi and Johnathan.  He dearly loved his grandchildren, Cooper and Heidi.  Pastor McGarvey was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Mueller McGarvey.  He leaves behind his father, Don McGarvey, step-mother, Pat of Maryland Heights, three sisters, Helen and Len Licata of O’Fallon, Janet and Mike Derr of Hartford, CT, Margie and Mark McClintock of St. Charles, two brothers-in-law, Ted Taylor of New York City and Ray Taylor of Houston, Texas, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

The pastor of Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Moberly since 1988, he was an ordained minister of the United Pentecostal Church, International (UPCI). 

In 1970, Pastor McGarvey graduated from Texas Bible College, Houston, Texas where he received a bachelor degree of Theology. He came to Moberly after serving as the manager of Christian bookstores in Houston, Texas and Hazelwood, Missouri.  He has also served congregations in Granby and Coventry, Connecticut.  A writer of religious studies, he served on the Curriculum Committee developing teaching materials for the UPCI.

He was the current president of the Randolph County Ministerial Alliance, as well as on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund board and was also the coordinator for the Blanket Project in Randolph County.  Vernon had served as district chaplain for Christian Prisoner Fellowship in Missouri and as a board member of the Missouri Correctional Chaplains and Volunteers Association.  He served as both secretary and director of the UPCI Missouri District Home Missions Department for 16 years.  He ministered in hospitals, local retirement and assisted living facilities throughout the area.

Pastor McGarvey was happiest working in his yard, playing with Cooper & Heidi, ministering from the pulpit or at a kitchen table teaching a Bible study.  He enjoyed reading about current events and far-away places.  He spent countless hours mentoring young ministers and counseling those in need.  He was loved by many and remembered most for his pearls of wisdom and encyclopedic knowledge of the Scripture.  Even in his last moments, he was dispensing encouragement and guidance to those visiting him.