As
I write, there are about 17 people sleeping here. I am not one of them. It is 7:30 a.m. , New Year’s Day, and so far I am the
only one up. I went to bed at 12:30 ,
woke up at 4:30 , and got down here
at 5 to answer some e-mails, write this blog, and work on a book.
The
trip to Ohio was great. I
surprised my two sons, Gabe and Paul. My sister Kelly arranged to meet them,
along with Paul’s new girlfriend Sarah, at the Cheddar’s in Mansfield ,
Ohio 9:30 Sunday morning, and got to Mansfield
at around 2:15 . The plan was for
Kelly to text me when everyone was situated. That happened at around 2:50 .
Were
the boys ever surprised! I had not seen either of them since April, so it was a
great reunion. I loved meeting Sarah, who is a very sweet person. I also got to
see Kelly’s boyfriend Rick, whom I’d only met once. Here are some photos
of the good times, as they rolled:
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| At the table. (Click photos to enlarge.) |
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| My youngest son Paul and his girlfriend Sarah. |
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| My oldest son Gabe; a shifty one. |
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| Checking for broccoli in the teeth of the president of Starke & Hartmann, Inc., publisher of the best book on the apostle Paul on the planet: The First Idiot in Heaven. |
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| Removing broccoli from the teeth of the president of Starke & Hartmann, Inc. |
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| Me with the president of Starke & Hartmann, Inc., also known as my sister Kelly. |
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| Paul and Pops at the mall in Mansfield, OH. |
I drove the hour to
My
goal was to get back here by around 6 p.m. for the New Year’s Eve festivities. I did
it, and it’s a good thing I hadn’t had much to eat. Wow. What a layout of food:
chicken wings, two kinds of chili, corn bread, breaded chicken, a veggie plate,
49 bags of different kinds of chips, and various samplings of adult beverages.
Have
you ever played “Apples to Apples” with 14 people? I have. Last night. For the
first time. I did not win, but I had fun.
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| I have no idea who this is. She was not here last night. |
I
am lousy at poker, so I was one of the first ones out on “Indian Poker,” which we played after, “Apples to Apples.” Indian Poker has you dealing out one card to each player, putting it face-out on your forehead without looking at it, and betting
on it without seeing it. I am no good at bluffing. I’m not even good at
not bluffing. I’m no good at any kind of poker, period. I am such a “face value”
guy, that I don’t get the tricks of poker. Somehow, in poker, you are supposed
to trick people several times a minute. I don’t know how to do it.
Additionally, you are supposed to figure out other people’s tricks, and facial
ticks, and eye movements. I’m no good at any of it. I’m too much of a
literalist, I guess. I am too honest for such subterfuge. I am too slow to
figure out 16 people at once. Therefore, last night, I bet stupidly and lost hugely. This
did not bother me in the least. In fact, I was delighted. It was
fun watching everyone else try to figure out everyone else.
I
lost all my poker chips, but gained several Dorito chips.
Our
Indian friend, Harsh Bhavsar, was driving up from Virginia,
where he was visiting his parents. He threatened to arrive before midnight —and he did! He walked into the living
room at 11:57 . We all
watched the ball drop on Time’s Square, and had a champagne toast. What a wonderful bunch of
people to bring in the New Year with.
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| Martin Zender, Harsh Bhavsar |
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| The whole gagne, with champagne. |
Oh! A friend sent me a photo of Hobbes (of “Calvin and
Hobbes” cartoon fame), reading my book, The First Idiot in Heaven, on
New Year’s Eve. Hobbes is even smarter than I thought.
I
don’t know what 2013 will bring, thank God. I can only walk one day at a time.
Right now, that day is January 1, 2013 .
I
am glad to be walking it with all of you.
©
2013 by Martin Zender
7 comments:
Happy New Year Martin!!
Ha! We were playing Apples to Apples last night too! Great game. Happy New Year!
Yes indeed; Martin and friends; This year went out with a big bang as even I was being rent in 2, Ouch it hurt: But no pain no gain right, most was covered by the joy of the Lord: The greatest rending that was: But O My; I sure could have also used much arms of loved ones, here in the west coast also alone hidden under ground: Those that are of the earth and care about earthly things, just don't do it for me anymore: I need to be with ones who are in the things of the Lord: Even ones that speak the Word of the Lord: I can be in a crowded room full of people, but they all become nothing to me if they know not the Lord, just people the a foreign to me and I them: Many care not to even know Him: My joy is in the Lord and the things of the Lord but we are few and far between: I guess this separation unto the Lord that has happened in me, truly does leave a one lonely and destitute, no bosom to even lay my head: But I thank-you Martin I can at least rejoice in your happiness as God has given you others to help you through these trying and tough times: Thank-you Martin for giving us your cup of cheer, for I am as a leach now trying to latch onto life from this death in Jesus Name: Yet, we need to descend before we can ascend: Yes it is true; the way up is down first: A tearing down before we can be built up in Jesus name: But as we suffer with Him, will also be glorified with Him: Maybe this is the Hope that Job had that we too have: Thank-you Martin in Jesus Name Alexandria:
When we awoke this morning my husband said exactly what I was thinking, "bummer, we're still here...." Looks like the exercise in endurance isn't over just yet. 2013, here we go!
Martin
You are healing - thank the good-lord.
My message is for you to stay with your children till you are comfortable with the new SELF. Keep them first and reassure them that you are OK.
Deacon James
ONE GOD; Everything From Nothing
Happy New 2013 and I pray you may continue to be vigilant against brocolli in the teeth which is often a deal-breaker. lmao ;)
Hare Krishna! Hoppy New Yeer! :-)
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