Monday, January 29, 2007

Wright News

01/29/2007

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson January 29, 2007

Happy Ground Hog’s Day!  Yes, good old Punxsutawney Phil did or did not see his shadow on February 2nd.  I’m sure we will have at least 6 more weeks of winter anyway.  By the way the weather is going it will be cold for the next few weeks.  Oh, well, that’s why us hardy Minnesotans stay in Minnesota all winter.

David Homstad, of Cromwell, called me and wanted me to relay his deep appreciation for all the community concern over his recent back injury.  He says: “ I wish to thank all those who helped my family and me during my recovery from my hunting accident.  Perhaps you sent food, a card or gift, (some gifts were anonymous) or visited.  Special thanks to the Fire Department for their quick response.  I was overwhelmed with all the concern expressed.  I continue to recover more and more every week.  I couldn’t have done this with out the help and many, many prayers offered during this time.”

Dave broke his back while hunting last November.  His foot slipped on the deer stand and he ended up falling, breaking 5 ribs, and crushing 4 – 5 vertebrae’s in his back.  His surgery’s have rebuilt these vertebrae’s and also has had rods put into 14 of the vertebrae’s in his back.  He is up and walking and recovery is slow but progressing.

Alyssa Granholm and Levi Sheff were crowned Queen and King at the 2007 Homecoming at the Cromwell-Wright School on Friday the 26th.  Alyssa is the daughter of Brian and Pauly Granholm.  Her favorite subject is math and her favorite past time is basketball.  After high school she plans on attending MSU Moorhead, but has not decided on a major.  Levi is the son of Toni Wallace and Mike Sheff.  His favorite subject is life sports and his favorite past time is football.  After high school he hopes to go to college and get a degree as a designing engineer.

The annual Science Fair will be held on February 12th at the school.  The PTA will be serving food during the science fair and all area residents are welcome to attend.

Get well wishes go out to Theresa Suhonen who has been suffering with lots of pain.

There will be NO 5th and 6th Grade Youth Group until further notice due to illness.

The Area Clothing Depot will continue to have their $1.50 a bag “Bag Sale” until further notice.  All purses and shoes are also FREE.

The After School Program kids and several adults attended the play, “HOLES” at the Duluth Playhouse on Sunday the 28th.  This play is adapted from the book, “Holes.” It was well received.

I received many wonderful Christmas cards in December and one of them was from Tony and Bev Krall.  The Krall’s used to spend their summers on Eagle Lake and now live year-a-round in Fridley, MN.  They write to say that Tony had shoulder surgery in November of ’05 and has healed well and he is able to golf again with no pain.  The Krall’s took a trip to Greece in October of ’05 which was fun, however they just got back from a wonderful experience … the best ever for them, a Safari in Southern Africa in Oct/Nov.  Sounds like they are really enjoying their retirement years.

I also got a wonderful card and letter from Alice Bushnell.  She is living in Hopkins, Mn and writes that all of her children are married and living near and far.  Gwynn and John live in Beaverton, OR and both have exciting carriers.  Cheryl and Steve live in Mahtowa, Mn and have 3 children, Ryan, Adam, both in college and Kendal is in kindergarten.  Kevin and Linda live in Cloquet, Mn and have 3 children, Elliot, Emily, both out of high school and Lindsey who is in middle school.  Andrea and Paul are living in St. Cloud and have one child, Laina who is 18 months and are expecting their 2nd child in February.  Brent and Debbie have recently moved from California to Edina, Mn.  Alice continues to work as a dental assistant full time and really loves her work.  She is grateful for home, family and church.

That’s all the news from Lake Don’tstickyourtongueontheflagpole and Hello to all the out-of-towners.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

GRANDMA'S HANDS

01/27/2007

GRANDMA’S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn’t move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn’t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you for asking,” she said in a clear voice strong.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,” I explained to her.

“Have you ever looked at your hands,” she asked. “I mean really looked at your hands?”

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story: “Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

“They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

“They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

“They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn’t understand.

“They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

“These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.”

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you and watch God’s answer to prayer work in your life. Let’s continue praying for one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.