The Pipe, the missing page (October 26)

Reema’s mother braced herself as officials spilled into the spaceport. She faced them with a smile. “Legends are real,” she said.

None of them had time to ask what she meant because the main exit slid open. Her daughter entered, Kraft a step behind. “It’s Trip,” groaned Reema nodding a polite greeting to the group of elders. Spreading her arms in a gesture of nervous confusion she complained, “He was chasing us, trying to start trouble.”

“He passed through the dome without protection,” added Kraft.

“We should reevaluate our senior cadet,” said Reema’s mother. “He rarely follows orders.”

“He must have tripped the second alarm. We thought what had entered the city left the same way,” said the city guardian, his eyes fixed on Reema’s mother.

“I request an emergency council meeting,” answered the security officer. “Reama and Kraft must come.”

The Guardian nodded and motioned to the five council members. Together they led the three to the blue council chamber adjacent to the spaceport. Before anyone could ask a questions, the guardian’s senior security officer repeated, “Legends are real.”

"We know," agreed the council.

“The aliens came through the pipe,” blurted Reema laying bare her thoughts.

“There were two,” added Kraft, "A boy and a girl." He lowered his mind shield, too.

Reema’s mother explained, “The children from the world called Earth aren’t telepaths. They aren’t ready for our world.”

“We had to protect them from Trip,” said Kraft. “They were so scared.”

"Trip tore the protection sheet from the girl," said Reema sharing her terror to the members of the council.

 “And how did they reopen the portal?” asked the guardian.

“I told my daughter to give them a twig from the tree,” answered Reema’s mother. Her silver-grey eyes held steady on the Guardian. She kept her thoughts fully open to the probing of all the council members.

“Then all is secure,” said the Guardian. He turned on his heels, and followed by the others, returned to the space port.

Family

Questions have arisen about some family photos posted under the blog title "Family"

One of the photos was a family wedding photo of Opa (Charles Ernest Bogaardt) and Oma (Bertha Breuer  Bogaardt).  

Unfortunately, family history is difficult to reconstruct. So many loved ones from Indonesia have passed away: Opa, Armand, Oscar, Ilse, and now Sally. Just last week we honored "Sally" Helena Drysen, whose maiden name was Breuer.  Her brother Donny and sister Meta were in attendance at the memorial service. 

The most recent blog entry offered a tribute to Sally, who along with her brother and sister were children of Oma Bertha's brother Oscar Breuer.

Thankfully, Oma Bertha is healthy at 99. She just celebrated her birthday on October 14. Although she no longer speaks, she is attentive and seems to recognize those that have been so much a part of her life. Here is a photo taken yesterday.

A Tribute to Sally

            Her name was Helene, but our family only called her Sally, just like we call John, Harry. For us, Sally was more than a passing part of our lives. Sally was our saint.

A good priest once said to me, “Holiness attracts.” And Sally was attractive. Just ask Harry.

I have few thoughts on holiness, sanctity by another name.

          Holiness means going out of your way to help others with a smile on your face. Sally always had a smile for everyone. She bubbled with delight.

Holiness means normalcy. Check out Sally’s Facebook page. What’s more normal than being connected technologically? Normalcy means you can laugh with those who laugh and weep with those who weep. It’s alright to cry as we do today.

          Holiness includes feeding the hungry. And boy, were we hungry whenever we came to visit. We had to drive hours to get to La Puente, and she always filled our bodies with the tastiest meals and our minds with great conversations. Yes Harry, you were part of all the feeding and mind games. After all, holiness in a wife means one-ness with the husband; and you two were so together.

Saint Paul wrote that a woman can reach holiness by childbearing. Maybe he meant that the struggle of childbirth wins that crown. I think it’s the years of struggle involved in trying to form the kids, Kirby, Melinda, Darrel into faith filled, giving adults: the way Sally has done.   

Gratitude is part of holiness, too. Some of us show it by going to Church. Sally went. Some of us show it by accepting invitations to parties, gatherings, and special events. Sally accepted. Some of us show it by worrying about others. Sally worried about Tante Ilse, Tante Irene, Oom Oscar, the family vanguard.

Surely she’s grateful that you are here, because despite this sad moment, she has brought us together. She has fed us a spiritual meal, and she has strengthened our faith.

Saints, of course, are people who are in heaven, and they take with them fond memories; memories of family, co-workers, friends, and the little boy lost. Marty, are you here?”  (pause)

Real saints echo the saintly men and women described in the bible. Whether we talk of the worthy wife of Proverbs or follow the holy women of the Gospels, saints embody holiness.  Sally most certainly did.