TLC, a new series

TLC #1, 22 May 2016–I’ve chosen the Tender Loving Care moniker to describe, roughly at least, a new blog series to follow up Cornwall Cogitations. While care of the earth and the universe, including self and others, is bigger than even the word daunting suggests, it’s a journey. I hope that what I have to say includes vital aspects of the stewardship of time, talents, and resources in our common enterprise. So be it.

Our first full week at home has been pleasant. We were saddened, though, at the passing on Wednesday of our dear friend Jean E. Bender. She was 87-years-old and suffered from a recurrence of cancer. Her memorial service next Saturday, sadly, comes at the same time we will be in Ontario for our annual trip to the Stratford Festival of Canada and visit with siblings, travelling with friends Dean and Gwen Preheim-Bartel.

We visited with Jean in nursing care last Sunday. She was lucid, clear that the end was near, happy to recall good times of hosting Miss Kitty when we were travelling, gracious in acknowledging our long-standing friendship, unafraid of what lay ahead. Jean, originally from Wellesley, Ontario, touched countless people in Elkhart and
St Joseph Counties, Indiana, as a nurse in two area high schools and in the ER at Elkhart General. Jean’s spirit and sense of destiny lives on with us. Rest in peace, dear Jean.

A walk through Elkhart’s Wellfield Botanical Gardens

Shari and Chuck Wagner spent Friday night with us and walked with us to the Wellfield Botanical Garden. Shari is a poet and on January 1 began a two-year appointment as Indiana Poet Laureate. We're super proud of niece Shari and of Church's teaching at Brebeuf High School in Indianapolis. Vienna, their daughter is getting married on Sunday. Wow, good things abound! — Shari and Chuck Wagner spent Friday night with us and walked with us to the Wellfield Botanical Gardens. Shari is a poet and on January 1 began a two-year appointment as Indiana Poet Laureate. We’re super proud of niece Shari and of Chuck’s teaching at Brebeuf High School in Indianapolis. Vienna, their daughter, is getting married on Sunday (more info below). Wow, good things abound! See more about Indiana Poet Laureate at http://www.throughthesycamores.

Marty rests on a rock on the Garden. — Marty rests on a rock on the Gardens.

Mama bear and her baby, one of the sculptures in the Wellfield Botanical Garden within walking distance of our home. — Mama bear and her cubs, one of the sculptures in the Gardens, within walking distance of our home.

Wellfield Botanical Garden shows its stuff. — An Iris in Wellfield Botanical Gardens shows its stuff.

Pause, smell, and, like Marty, pull a handful of weeds. — Pause, smell, and, like Marty, pull a handful of weeds as we pause on our Wellfield walk.

These flowers would be just right in our tree lawn. Hum? Maybe we'll find some. — These flowers would be just right in our tree lawn. Hum? Maybe we’ll find some.

Christiana Creek, over the fence from the Wellfield.

The wonderful language of music

On Saturday, we had the privilege of attending the violin recital of Lauren Weirich from our church. Lauren is graduating from Elkhart Central and is college bound this fall. Her sister, Carol, who will be a college junior, accompanied her on the piano. We were treated to Bach, Schumann, Mozart, James E. Clemens, and John Williams. Ah, the sonorous language of music (notice, I didn’t say “sonic boom” tone of music).

Vienna and Adrian’s Day

This Sunday afternoon we will attend the wedding of our great-niece Vienna Wagner and Adrian Bottomley in Niles, Michigan. Both will continue studies as graduate students at the University of Notre Dame. We wish them richest blessings on their joined journey. Vienna’s sister, Iona, will be a sophomore at Notre Dame, so we’re looking forward to seeing more of the extended family around here.

Hi Heron

A happy dose of TLC in your pursuits this coming week. Best!

-John

3 thoughts on “TLC, a new series”

Kaye M says:

May 22, 2016 at 11:36 pm

The flowers look as nice in Elkhart as they do in Cornwall. This is a lovely time of year. Sorry to hear about Jean. She lived a good life. We look forward to seeing you this coming week end. K

Sent from my iPad

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Mary K Mishler says:

May 23, 2016 at 2:20 am

John & Marty Bender.

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Mary K. Mishler says:

May 23, 2016 at 2:23 am

You two find beauty where ever you are planted.

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