CURRENT JOURNAL (10/18/20)
Wednesday - November 3, 2004 - Today, it has been 20 months since the accident that claimed Andrew and Jarrett's lives. Twenty months since I've seen my children alive on the morning of March 3, 2003. Yet most of the time, it seems like years since I've seen them. Last summer, someone said that I would feel worse before I felt better. My reply at the time was, "then I wish I were with the boys because I can't feel any worse than I do now." Amazingly, I do feel worse than ever. There are probably people who are thinking that it's time to move on and "get over it." Yeah, right! Yesterday, I went into Andrew's room to put his treasures in a box, but it was just too much for me - too heart-wrenching a task to be performed without recalling his studied thoughtfulness as he acquired each precious object. Then, there were the sports trophies. Tears, sadness, puffy eyes ensued....task uncompleted. This is called "leaning into my grief." Give me a break. It's more like falling into an abyss with no way out. I've been downloading more of Jarrett's cassettes. He's skating, jumping, cracking jokes, break dancing and alive. The pictures and the videos of Andrew and Jarrett will always keep them frozen in time. Forever 17 and 15 years old. Andrew and Jarrett - I say their names every day. I miss them all the time. Give your kids a hug and tell them you love them because you just never know. -djb
Jarrett, me, Andrew on February 15, 2003
Tuesday - November 2, 2004 - GET OUT AND VOTE YOU ALL! If you're 18, you can vote. You should be registered to vote and you should vote. Doesn't really matter WHO you vote for because that is YOUR business but if you say that lame excuse, "It doesn't matter." That's a bunch of crap. VOTE, please. It's the GROWN-UP thing to do. Thank you. I downloaded some of those mini-cassettes last night - so I now have video of Jarrett on his 1/4 pipe and also break dancing in the family room. I've been looking for the cassette that I gave someone when they died and I've never seen it again, and now here is something else - not exactly the one I was looking for, but it's still Jarrett doing his thing. You'd think it might make me sad, and it does. When I started typing this, I was okay and now I'm just crying because I miss them so much. Here's Jarrett on his quarter pipe. bye, djb
Jarrett catching some big air on his quarter pipe.
later...(11/1) - I don't know what happened but Hobbes was on his VERY, most excellent best behavior EVER at the vet's office. They didn't even have to gas him! When they picked him up, he started purring, so they basically just took out the drainage tube and cleaned up his stitches and we were sent on our merry way. On the way in, I put a towel over his cat carrier, so he didn't meow as much. Well, in fact, not at all. Bless his heart. Good kitty. Gotta go. bye, djb
Hobbes with his soft collar before his tube was taken out.
Monday - November 1, 2004 - It's a new month, and I wanted to begin a new page but I thought I'd leave this picture on here and then change it later since I don't have time to do it now. Hobbes and I have to go to the vet's office this morning. I'll have to take his picture (NOT the stitches!). Here's a picture of our cat in North Aurora (MO JO). He stayed out in the garage at night. I thought it was too cold, so I got him a heated blanket. Well, he sat on it so long that his hair kind of got burned off. Anyway, he was left with a nasty rash on his stomach so they put one of those plastic cones on him until it healed. He would get up on this huge pillow and sit there for hours. He just melted right into it. I thought it was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. So here's Mr. Mo. I'll take Hobbes' picture some time sooner or later. See ya, djb
MO JO - the GIGANTIC cat with the protective cone on. It kind of looks fake, doesn't it? But it isn't!
later...(10/31) - Aunt Gladys called me around 7 tonight to tell me that Verna Gittleson Horn had passed away in DeKalb in the early evening. Verna was my dad's first cousin. I'm not sure how long Miss Gittleson (as they called her) taught at Elburn's school but a lot of people who grew up in Elburn had her as a teacher. After talking to some people, I sort of got the impression that she was kind of strict. Well, I was right. She was! Aunt Gladys said that she didn't give out any A's. Of if she did, it was rare. That kind of made me laugh. Anyway, she was 21 in the picture below at the Randtown School. My dad and Aunt Gladys were 11. Uncle George was 5. This picture has been in my journal before but I just felt like putting it in here tonight to honor her life as a teacher. God bless, Verna. Say hi to the boys, djb
Verna Gittleson, the teacher at the Randtown School in 1931 - one room schoolhouse. Uncle George is the second boy from the right in the front. Aunt Gladys is the first girl in the second row on the left. My dad is the first boy in the back row on the right side. I don't know why, but I just totally love this picture.
Sunday - October 31, 2004 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINDSAY! It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. It's definitely cool, but it is fall. I took pictures of Hobbes but I don't think you want to see it. He looks like a turkey that got trussed up with that turkey-trussing string. He's doing better today. I gave him his antibiotics and some tuna. He doesn't want to take the antibiotics but if I give it to him BEFORE the tuna, he's much more apt to stick around. At least, he hasn't been bothering the surgical site. Yesterday, he was still pretty groggy and sleepy. Poor Hobbes. He was a very LOUD and RUDE patient. Plus, we have to go back in tomorrow to get the drainage tube taken out. They're going to have to put him under for that. We went to Dave and Terry's reception last night. It was really nice and very sweet. The kids were all there, Bill, JD, David, Kevin, Angela & Zach. Plus, Norm's brother, Larry, is my brother Alan's friend! Isn't that amazing? Unless you know what I'm talking about, you're probably scratching your head. I was trying to find my baseball team picture, but I can't find it. In 1994, JD and David were on my team and Andrew, too. That was why I became the Coach. Since I can't find that, I did find a picture of Bryar and Hobbes from this summer. When the flowers were blooming, the sun was shining and it was warm outside!! Must go check on my clocks and see if they're all changed to FALL BACK. haaaa see ya later, djb
Hobbes and Bryar in the good old summertime.
BRYAR - 2 YEARS OLD TODAY
Bryar - 2 days old
Derek holding his little girl
Saturday - October 30, 2004 - HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY TO BRYAR!! Oh boy, do I ever have some pictures of her. I'll have to get them and put them in here. What a dollie. It is so WEIRD not having Hobbes here. I remember when my Aunt Anna said that after their cat was put to sleep (the one that bit her which resulted in her having to go to the hospital with a severe infection!!), they noticed how QUIET it was around their house - so two days later, they got a new cat. I know, you think we're crazy CAT people but it's absolutely strangely quiet and lonesome without Hobbes around. It makes me realize how noisy it was when Andrew and Jarrett were alive. It makes me realize how quiet it is without them. Sad. Anyway, I found these pictures that I had never been able to see before because they were all "washed out" - it was either the camera (most likely) or the film (probably not) that were crappy. I totally LOVE to see new pictures of Andrew and Jarrett - What a treat for me!! Gotta go get ready so at 9 o'clock I can call and see how Hobbes is doing after his surgery. I'll take a picture. You did NOT want to see him pre-op. It was ugly. bye, djb
Andrew from a long ago faded picture that was FIXED by the magic of today's technology
Jarrett from long ago - ditto
later (10/29) - Well, I took Hobbes in to the doctor. He's going to have to stay in there overnight and have some stitches put in. I had to sign a consent for surgery. They're going to knock him out! Yikes! poor Hobbes. He was very upset. While we were waiting in the little waiting room, he got scared by the train whistle. It was quite harrowing. He's going to have to take antibiotics and wear one of those cones on his head. I'll have to dig out the picture of Mo Jo our other cat who looks like Hobbes - he had to wear one of those cones. It was hilarious. I know Hobbes is going to go berserk trying to get it off. I'll have to take pictures. Better go. Have to go vacuum the hair that Hobbes left all over the floor. bye, djb
Hobbes looking longingly at Jarrett's scrambled eggs with cheese.
Jarrett holding Hobbes out by Andrew's white pine tree
Friday - October 29, 2004 - Halloween is getting closer every day. It's so dark right now at 7 am, I just can't believe it. Tomorrow night, we change our clocks - fall back. It ALWAYS confuses me so I leave one clock on the old time just so I know what time it "used to" be. Colleen wrote to me this morning after midnight. Well, maybe she wrote it before midnight. Anyway, she made the front page of the Elburn Herald yesterday. How exciting! Here's the picture below. I have an appointment with the vet this morning. Poor Hobbes is not looking so good on the owie on his head behind his ear where he got attacked by the black and white cat. (Hobbes started it!) It was looking REALLY GOOD and then I think as it healed, it started to itch, so he scratched it. GROSS - very gross. Anyway, I'm out of here. see ya, djb
Colleen is in the back in pink! (go to www.elburnherald.com to read the full story!)
Baby Mary Ellen
Thursday - October 28, 2004 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRANNY! Today is my mom's birthday. I've called her Granny since I can't remember when? hmmm Here's a picture of her when she was young. I can't find the baby picture. It's around here somewhere.
Young Mary Ellen - what a little sweetheart!
Oh yes, by the way I do have enough platelets - 360,000. That's almost too many. That's funny. I remember one time when the machine said I had zero, but I really had 2,000. Not so many. Anyway, here's a picture of Granny last month when she and Grandpa went on their world tour. Now, it's time to get my skeedaddling shoes on and let Hobbes out and get my newspapers. Oh boy, it's painting class today! That will be fun. See ya later, djb P.S. Happy Birthday to Granny.
GRANNY the BIRTHDAY GIRL IN ELBURN - 9/15/04
Wednesday - October 27, 2004 - It's foggy, misty and dark outside, plus it's GARBAGE day and I have an appointment with Dr. Cohen this morning so I can see how I'm doing. Platelet count. Gee, I wonder if they have any FLU SHOTS at the doctor's office? haaa I think it's hilarious that our Governor is trying to obtain vaccine from the exact same people (IN FRANCE) who made the vaccine that they've already used on people in the USA and the FDA is posturing by saying, "Well, we might think about approving it." Isn't that just bullshit? I can't believe that our government would PLAY POLITICS with people's lives. Oh wait a minute, these are the same people who screwed up MILLIONS of flu shots from ENGLAND in the first place. Good grief. Give me a freaking break. I've read that they knew about the contamination earlier this year and maybe even last year. Maybe they thought millions of people would just FORGET about the flu shot. Oh brother. Speaking of old people. Here's a picture of my Gandpa and Grandma Berg on their wedding day. I realize it isn't a Halloween picture, but I just wanted to put it in here for all of my relatives who might be checking in on Andrew and Jarrett's website. I have to go. Have LOTS to do before I leave. See ya later. bybyebe djb
George and Sadie Berg on their wedding day - a long time ago.
later - (10/26) - You're NOT going to believe it, but I found the picture. It's on the Casa page and I'm putting it in here. Andrew's FIRST Halloween costume.
Andrew the soldier with a sucker in his mouth and the leafy colander on his head, holding tightly onto his pumpkin (1987)
I was in my room looking for something and there it was in a pile of photographs. I couldn't believe it. Then again, St. Anthony NEVER fails me. ha ha This is so exciting. Good thing that Halloween is almost here! I'm starting to run out of pictures. Of course, I surely find more after it's over!! I just remembered that it's Aunt Liz's birthday. seeya,djb
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT LIZ!
Tuesday - October 26, 2004 - Muchas gracias to Jessica for sending me the card on the CASA page with a blast from the past. That picture from kindergarten is so-o-o-o cute!! I do recall seeing it, although for some reason, I wasn't there. Usually, I volunteered for the parties at school. Maybe I came later to pick up Jarrett. Yesterday afternoon, I spent hours looking for one silly photo of Andrew at about 20 months when he was a camouflaged soldier with a colander on his head. It was so cute. However, I do have the picture of him with his little sweatshirt on, sucking on a piece of candy sitting on the bench with Bob and the pumpkin. I noticed something VERY, VERY strange. My jack-o-lanterns always look the SAME! I'll put pictures of different years and you can see the similarity. see ya, djb
Halloween 1987 - Andrew eating a sucker, Bob holding Jack
Left pumpkin (1987) North Aurora - Right pumpkin (1994) Elburn - EXACT same expression - it possible that they're the same pumpkin.
Monday - October 25, 2004 - Do you realize that next week at this time, we'll have already fallen BEHIND?! The clocks change on Saturday night at 2:00 a.m. Yikes! It'll be nice to have some sun in the morning. Of course, it'll be darker earlier. yuk. I've been copying these old pictures and having a great time doing it. Here's one of me, my niece Gayla and my Great Aunt Clara who's buried west of Andrew and Jarrett at Blackberry Cemetery. Apparently, we were at Aunt Gladys and Uncle Malvin's house. We can't remember WHY? All I know is, I'm pretty sure we had some great food! It's time to get skeedaddling. I broke the lawn mower yesterday, so exactly at 9 a.m., I have to call the mower repair people. Bummer. I did rake some leaves on Saturday and that was such a pain. It's so much easier and environmentally sound to mulch the leaves. sigh.... Okay, I'm outta here.....................bye, djb
Donna Jean, Gayla Jean, Clara Jean - 1983 (nice sunburst medallion!)
later (10/24) - Earlier this evening, I was talking to my folks and I decided that the best way for them to get these old pictures is from the website, eh. Just right click, Granny, and then you won't get a full mailbox. Here's the professional portrait of the TWINS, my dad and Aunt Gladys. I imagine it was done when they turned 1. The picture on the left (below) is of a nurse holding Gale and Gladys with Russell and Everett standing in front. The other picture is just of the nurse with her face obliterated (hey! after 84 years pictures can get scratched, doncha know). Anyway, I think it's too much fun to see these. I decided to put the picture of Ethel and Rachel in because they later married those little boys in shorts. Okay. gotta go. bye see ya, djb
Gale (my dad) and Gladys (my aunt) - the Twins
Here's a picture of the twins that I've never seen before.
In 1920, a nurse is holding the newborn twins (Gale & Gladys) with Russell and Everett standing in front. The picture on the right got scratched over the years but you can see what she looks like if you look at the picture on the left, eh.
Ethel and Rachel Montgomery (cousins). Ethel was married to Uncle Everett and Rachel was married to Uncle Russell (the little guys in shorts in the picture above).
Sunday - October 24, 2004 - I got up early yesterday and went over to see Aunt Gladys. We chatted for a while and and then we went to Osco and over to Target (which HAS NOT been remodeled so I could find the paper towels - our Target is a gigantic, remodeled nightmare - you can't find ANYTHING). Anyway, Aunt Gladys gave me some photo albums to go through with pictures of the very old relatives. I came across a picture of my Great-great-grandfather, Sam Peterson. I've NEVER seen his picture before. Heck, just a few years ago, I found out his name. It's so much fun to see the old pictures. When we went to Dorothy's visitation last week, we saw Jerry Busse (my dad's first cousin) who is 80 something. He's not the baby in this picture, it's his brother, Freddie. So, it's definitely older than 85 maybe 90 years old. Isn't that a hoot? I don't know why I love these old pictures so much but I do. All righty, it's time to get some more coffee and do some stuff. Talk to you later, djb
Andrew & Jarrett's Great-great-great Grandfather, Sam Peterson, with his daughter Sarah Peterson Berg (holding the baby), her daughter Grace Berg Busse (standing), mother of the baby who is Fred Busse, my dad's first cousin. Fred was the first grandchild of Sarah and Ludwig.
SATURDAY - October 23, 2004 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER ALAN. He's the same age as Bob, in fact, they were in the same class at RTHS (Rochelle Township High School). He's celebrating up in the mountains. Here's some pictures of Uncle Al with Andrew and Jarrett a few years ago. See ya sooner, djb
Andrew with video camera sitting next to Uncle Al, the kiddies' pal.
Uncle Al, Andrew, Uncle Bergy, Jarrett playing basketball in the driveway a few years ago
night-time - (10/22) - I don't know why I feel compelled to put Jarrett and Andrew's obituaries on here tonight. Please forgive me if it's too painful for you, but THIS is what I live with every day of my life. My sweet precious children are dead. Now, I know they're in Heaven and I know they're with God, with all my all my heart and soul I know that, but you have to understand, they are NOT here with me in their physical bodies. That's hard. That's very hard to take. Some people have said that since they are not "SAVED" they're in hell. Isn't that silly? How could that even be possible? They loved me with all their hearts and all their souls. Why would God give me these precious children who I loved with every fiber of my being and then condemn them to hell. It's not even possible. Sorry, that's just not true. If you were to walk a mile in my shoes, you'd know. The people who seem to know EVERYTHING have never experienced the loss of ALL of their children. They don't know the emptiness in my heart every single second of the day. I loved those little weasels more than anything, anything and everything on this earth and now they're gone. I don't even care if you think they're in hell because I know they're NOT. They're with God as I speak...as I write this. God gave me my precious children, and HE took them back as only HE can do. If you have children, give them a hug, tell them you love them because you never know when GOD will take them back home again. If you think I'm just making this up, read their obituaries. THEY were coming home from SCHOOL. They were doing everything right. God just wanted them back.
Jarrett Berg Burkholder, 15, of Elburn died suddenly, Monday, March 3, 2003, in an auto accident. An icy patch of road claimed Jarrett's heartbeat in an instant but his life continues forever in the hearts of countless friends and family who will never forget this remarkable young man.
Jarrett was born January 3, 1988 in St. Charles the son of Bob and Donna (Berg) Burkholder. The family made their home in North Aurora until 1990 when they moved to the present family home near Elburn.
From his childhood, Jarrett poured himself into life with startling energy, boundless dreams and studious determination. Like other boys, he loved soccer, baseball and basketball but athletics were just appetizers in Jarrett's gifted life. When he decided to take up in-line skating, he educated himself on the Internet; bought plans and, together with his father built a half-pipe and other ramps to hone his skills.
He began playing chess as an eighth grader and before the end of the next school year was ranked as one of the top freshman in the state of Illinois. He played against international masters on the Internet, took lessons from champions and was poised to become one himself. Most recently he had set out to learn break dancing. With a helmet, a polished floor and a video camera he practiced continuously until he mastered spin after spin.
Not intimidated by anything or anyone, Jarrett had also learned the value of self-respect. He was especially proud of the physique he had built up in the past year, muscles that rippled and a smile that was proud of it. Jarrett was a self motivating achiever but not a loner by any means. He drew others with him and enjoyed seeing friends achieve their goals, too.
Jarrett earned A's and A+'s in biology and algebra courses that were years ahead of his class. He was ahead of his time in so many ways, and now he is ahead of everyone.
There is no doubt that he is still cheering for friends and challenging the angels to the chess game of their lives.
He is survived by his parents; his paternal grandmother, Jewell Burkholder of Port Charlotte, Fla. and maternal grandparents Gale and Mary Ellen Berg of Casselberry, Fla; three paternal aunts and uncles, Bev (Bob) Paul of Rochelle, Bill (Susan) Burkholder of Elwood and Jim (Joan) Burkholder of Loganville, Ga.; six maternal aunts and uncles, Howard (Irene) Berg of Spring Hill, Fla., Alan (Veralee) Berg of Phoenix, Ariz., Dennis (Avis) Berg of Rochelle, Steve (Mary) Berg of Orlando, Fla., Ron (Liz) Berg of Algonquin and Diane Berg of Casselberry; a "plethora of cousins" and a community of good friends.
He joins his paternal grandfather, Glen Burkholder, who preceded him in death in 2002; and his brother Andrew, who followed him in death Wednesday afternoon.
Visitation services for Jarrett and Andrew Burkholder will be held Friday, March 7, at Kaneland High School in the east gym from 4 to 9 p.m. Crisis team counselors and support personnel will be available throughout the visitation hours.
Funeral services will be held in the east gym on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. Gary Augustine, pastor of the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Elburn, will officiate and interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn.
A combined memorial scholarship fund has been established in care of The Kaneland Foundation, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151.
Andrew Robert Burkholder, 17, of Elburn passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, where he was taken following an auto accident Monday afternoon, March 3.
For two days, he fought silently from deep inside a coma. On Wednesday, he was released from his battle but left behind the gift of life for several others. His organs were donated to strangers; his memory to family and friends. His life returned to the One who gave it, but his love remains forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
Andrew was born on Feb. 15, 1986, in Aurora, the son of Bob and Donna (Berg) Burkholder. By the time he was 3, Andrew was putting together 300 piece puzzles and before kindergarten, he began reading spontaneously. He was gifted with an I.Q. that allowed him to succeed with ease at many things. That same gift seemed to bring with it a life-long battle with boredom. But Andrew was creative and discovered ways to bring boredom to "life" with mischief.
Andrew was also a young man with a taste for "class." Anything worth having or doing was only worth it if it was the best. He was always gregarious. One cell call and the yard was full of friends. Andrew also loved computer games as well, and excelled when it came to matching wits with high speed Internet games. In golf, he not only played the game well, he was the undisputed "charm champ" on the golf course. Wednesday, he left this life for a tee time on a heavenly course where he will never miss a putt.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandmother, Jewell Burkholder of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and maternal grandparents, Gale and Mary Ellen Berg of Casselberry, Fla.; three paternal aunts and uncles, Bev (Bob) Paul of Rochelle, Bill (Susan) Burkholder of Elwood, Jim (Joan) Burkholder of Loganville, Ga.; six maternal aunts and uncles, Howard (Irene) Berg, of Spring Hill, Fla., Alan (Veralee) Berg, of Phoenix, Ariz., Dennis (Avis) Berg of Rochelle, Steve (Mary) Berg of Orlando, Fla., Ron (Liz) Berg of Algonquin, Diane Berg, of Casselberry; many "cousins" and an endless amount of backyard friends.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Glen Burkholder, who passed away in 2002, and his brother, Jarrett, who died Monday, March 3, 2003, in the same crash that claimed Andrew's own life.
Services were held on March 8 at 11 a.m. at Kaneland High School. Gary Augustine, pastor of the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Elburn, officiated. Interment followed at the Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn. A scholarship fund in Andrew's memory has been established at Kaneland High School. Memorial gifts may be mailed in care of The Kaneland Foundation, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151.
later...(10/22) - This is so funny. I found this picture of Jarrett "hugging" Andrew around the neck. At first I thought I took it after the other picture. Now, I'm not so sure. Either way. This is what usually transpired either before or AFTER any picture that I took. They always look so sweet and innocent in the final picture!! ha ha That's very funny. If only I could provide SOUND with the photographs. oh boy! Must go, see ya later, djb
Friday - October 22, 2004 - I spent the early part of this morning burning the Berg's Pictures DVD. I'm going out now to send it to the Bergs. The cover of the jewel case is hilarious. I had a ball making it. You just don't know what's on Microsoft Publisher until you start nosing around. There are things on there that I didn't even know existed. Now, I do. What a hoot. I love doing creative things. Yesterday, at painting class, I made some progress on my painting. It's going to take me a month to get it finished but I don't care because it's going to look awesome when I'm done. This is a picture of a painting I did a few years ago. As I recall, I painted it on a Saturday (it took me 5 hours) in the garage. Andrew and Jarrett kept saying, "Mom, I need this. Mom, I need that." I would say, "Ask your dad." I have to paint. They pretty much let me paint that day. Now, I have all the time in the world, don't I!? I simply LOVE the evergreen tree - it's my all time favorite tree. Plus, I love remembering that the boys were still alive when I painted it. Gotta run...okay, walk fast. See ya later, djb
I don't particularly care for that BIG rock....I'm going to fix that soon.
Thursday - October 21, 2004 - It's just 7 a.m. - the bus went by and the sky is getting bright. Supposedly, the sun is coming out later. We'll see about that. I have my OIL painting class today. Oh boy! That's good news to me. I'll be glad when I can remember how to paint again. When I was upstairs, I thought I'd already sent this stuff to the world wide web. Okay, here's the pumpkins "we" carved in 1988. See ya later, djb
Andrew and Jarrett's pumpkins in 1988 - notice the staples in the one on the left.
Wednesday - October 20, 2004 - I'm still doing the same old thing on here, what can I say. The creative streak hasn't struck me yet. It's garbage day and also cloudy, yukky and messy because the leaves are falling all over the place. When I was talking to Aunt Gladys at The Junction Monday night, we commented on the fact that our lives are going by fast. It seems as though one moment you're worrying about what tattoo to put on your arm and the next thing you know, you're worrying about getting your Social Security check. WHOA! It's quite bizarre. Nothing remains static. This too will pass. I think about that. Last night, Bob and I saw Greg and Nancy at BBI. Nancy's mom and dad live in Lake Wales, FL. That was ground zero for THREE of the hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Jeanne). She and her sister are going down there to check on things. They didn't lose their home, but it got twisted around in the winds. I wonder how things look down there. We know how things look in Port Charlotte - still a MESS! Whenever you think that things are horrible and you have a rotten life, just remember that there's always someone worse off than you. Of course, I've thought about this a lot and one day I thought to myself, "I wonder if the person who is the very WORST off of everyone in the world knows it?" Probably not. So, enjoy yourself. Have lots of FUN. Be NICE to someone you normally wouldn't be nice to. Smile, be happy = : ) Either that or frown and be miserable. Your choice. bye for now, djb
Andrew, Donna, Pumpkin, Jarrett in North Aurora right before Halloween
Tuesday - October 19, 2004 - Same format as usual. I haven't changed anything yet!! As I was going through the Halloween pictures, I found a picture of Grandma Burkholder's BIG, GIGANTIC trees that were behind her house BEFORE the hurricane. It amazes me that those trees lived so long without getting blown away until August 13th. Here's the picture before and after. Just simply amazing. Must go make some coffee and let Hobbes outside. bye, djb
Bob and Jarrett in front of Grandma's grove of trees BEFORE Charley
Grandma's grove of trees - in the canal - AFTER Charley
later...(10/18) - It was early this morning when I wrote the part below, and I didn't hook it up to the Casa Page by mistake. Now it's fixed. Tonight I went over to Rochelle with Aunt Gladys to the visitation for one of our relatives, Dorothy Weeks. She died on Saturday. She was a very nice lady. I took some pictures of family pictures that she had a few years ago when Grandma and Grandpa Burkholder were having a garage sale in Rochelle. Her daughter, Kristen (who is my 2nd cousin) was in my class at Rochelle Township High School - class of 1967. We saw some other relatives that I barely know. But I felt that I should go and pay my respects to Dorothy because she was so kind to me, plus I've known Kristen for years. Anyway, I'm still pondering what to do to JAZZ up my site. Trust me. I'll think of SOMETHING!! Uncle Ron got his flu shot, so that's good. Next week, I see my doc, so we'll see if I'm going to get one or not. It's a jungle out there. Ron had to wait for 4 hours, but apparently the wait was worth it! I was looking for a picture of Dorothy that I took a few years ago, but I can't find it. I can't find ANYTHING! So, I'll just put in something else until I find it. I know I have it because I took it myself. All righty. It's time to go. See ya later, djb
Andrew in my car
Jarrett in red - I've always like this picture
Monday - October 18, 2004 - I've decided to re-do my website since my numbers are down and I've basically been doing the same thing for months on end anyway. I'm guessing that even Nick doesn't check it every day any more. It's time for a change. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do but I've become boring and predictable. The kiss of death for a website. I'll be back later. See ya, djb
JARRETT & ANDREW - taken not long before they died.