A Picture Update!

Simon and Mr. Marxmiller give us smiles as they pose in the rose garden . . .


Mr. Marxmiller, a WWII veteren, lived just down the road from us two years ago, before we moved. After the war, he and his beloved bride created a unique paradise on their property. Their beautiful land borders a lake, which supports all sorts of wildlife, from wild pigs, to bobcats. He planted a bamboo forest, built a fishing dock on the lake, planted a forest of fruit tree's, created a rock pool where he keeps enormous koi fish, and situated numerous ponds, scattered throughout his land, which swarm with goldfish, lilies, and frogs, which really do sit on the lily pads! :-) In other words, he has been a dream come true for a bunch of adventuresome little neighbors.

As soon as the Daniel and Max reached 'apprenticeship' age, Mom climbed in our squeeky, missing hubcabed minivan, and drove them down to Mr. Marxmiller's house, to see if he needed any help around his place. That one act created a legacy of memories that has been handed down all the way to Jeremy! Simon and now Jeremy also faithfully 'go to work' most Tuesdays, and do whatever needs doing . . . mowing lawns, cleaning out fishponds, clipping roses, sweeping the breezway, raking the driveway, clip bamboo, anything! Every so often, I too am summoned, but instead of yard work, to do what a woman does best . . . clean, scrub, dust, vacuum and the like! :-)

Mr. Marxmiller's influence on each one of us is a precious memory. His war stories, his love for his buried wife, the opportunity he has given each of us to learn how to work for someone else, and his zeal for the outdoors are an inspiration!

He has been one of the many that have taught us what important lessons we can learn from the aged ones among us. How meaningful, encouraging, and important it is to sit at the feet of the elderly, and listen to their wisdom.