We took a brief trip down to Albuquerque, New Mexico for Stan’s sister Irene’s 80th Birthday.
She had just married her 4th husband, Ben Miller two months ago. He is a quiet easy going guy. It is interesting to see older people engage in life together after both have had rich full lives.
He is polite and clearly answers questions when asked, but doesn’t ask any of his own or pry into anything about you.
He was a crane operator for 17 or so years and lived in Danville, Illinois. We talked a little about how scary it must be to perch a top the crane as the boom maneuvers around moving equipment and building materials. I asked how he got up to the top of the crane. “Just climb up,” was his reply. There is a cage that encompasses the metal rungs of the ladder, but still you are climbing up there with only safety rope. He also was a car mechanic for years.
Irene was thrilled when she opened the quilt and loved the colors. I know she would as she has many of the mauve rose colors decorating her home. Ben was so appreciative of the gift and knew first hand the work that goes into making a quilt. He said his wife (I assume first wife – probably deceased) made many quilts. When she finished them she wrapped them in a pillow case and put them in a dresser drawer. He said it as if she were still alive and you could just go over to the dresser drawer, open it and take a look at her handy work. He is 82 and life’s experience intersect with the new life he is making with Irene.
Irene is happy once again – driven by guidance from the Lord who told her in a dream that she would be married to a wonderful man a year before it happened. Whatever people believe evidently comes true.
They showed us a photo video of their wedding. It was well done with heartfelt music and fade in snapshots of the beautiful day. Bob gave his mom away to Ben in a touching scene. Irene was dressed in a full length cream-colored wedding gown. She carried herself in the same elegant way that I have known from years past. The four tier wedding cake fed the many friends she has at their church.
Ben grew up on a farm in Danville, Illinois. One time a rival minister was looking for place for his tent. Ben’s dad offered him a place in a field on their 80 acres. Ben got to know this man and his son Joel over the years that he would set up his tent. Joel became Ben’s foster son (not legally) and is still referred to in those terms today. Joel is the minister of the mega Four-Square church where Irene participates.
Somehow Joel has taken over a 16,000 square foot partially built home, I should say mansion (castle). I guess the neighbors were delighted when Joel bought this place and started to fix it up as it had been an unfinished haven for drugs groups and other assortment of low life.
Well Ben meet Irene, they fell in love and got married. Now both have a companion to share they waining years.
On Saturday, November 28, 2009, we decided to head back to Danver as we heard these might be snow storm. Its no fun making a 7-8 hours drive in the snow. The snow never materialized.
Before we left we stopped at Old Town Albuquerque for a walk through the area on a brisk morning. Stan was feeling under the weather so mostly he waited in the car while I chatted with the Native Americans lining the sidewalk on their blankets in front of a building. They had jewelry for sale all laid out in front of them that sparkled in the chill. Their faces lite up early in the morning to talk with the few of us tourists out looking at their wares.
One guy saw my Black Dog sweatshirt and was reminded of his yellow lab that he dearly loved. We talked about the meaning of various fetishes of jewelry that he had carved. Arrow heads for direction and protection. Bears for courage, good luck, and protection. They were interesting as was the guy selling them. So I parted with some money and put them in my pocket. Waiting for some good luck to come my way.
One the way back to Denver, we listened to rock and roll then some polka music. The road goes on and on through long expanses of grass land.
Colorado has much the same terrain until you arrive at Pueblo with more rolling hills, trees and mountains to the west. By the time we went through Colorado Springs dusk had come and gone and there was nothing but night with the red tailights glaring as the traffic packed in with fellow returning vacationers.
It was a good trip to see Irene, her new husband Ben and her son Bob to spend a slice of time with their family.