Change And Decay

Dear Byron, 

Check back a couple blogs and you will see that we are changing some things about our life. It looks now like we may have a buyer for our vacation home here in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We've been here since middle of July, watching one couple after another come by to consider whether they'd like to own a part of this beautiful country. Now perhaps we have some folks who will say yes. If so, in a few weeks it will no longer be ours. Sorry about that, Byron, because our family has had so very many great times up here in the years before you came along. 

But then things change. 

I was thinking about change this morning when I awoke. For some reason a line from an old hymn came to mind. 

"Change and decay in all around I see. Oh Thou that changest not, abide with me." 

Speaking of decay, the house that we're selling is fifteen years old and the people interested in it pointed out that a couple of the double-paned windows have broken seals. Water has gotten in between the panes. So we'll have to replace them before we can complete the sale.

And that's the way of this world: change and decay. I've been living in this body now for nearly 79 years. Believe me, Byron, it doesn't work like it used to. Lots of decay has set in over the years and with the help of some good doctors we've had to make some major repairs.

And one more thing. As things change for GGMa and me—and our entire family—I'm thinking about those who lived before us, people like my Great-Grandparents. They made some very big changes when they left Germany and England, never again to see their parents, grandparents and relatives. I can hardly put my arms around that thought, together with all the fears and anxiety that went along with their decisions to get on ocean-going ships with their meager belongings to move to a strange country.

In the next months I've decided to do some poking around to see what stories I can come up with about those people from our family. I know, I know. You're not really interested right now. But maybe one day you'll find these ramblings and be glad to learn more about your past and ours. 

Until then, just be happy that in the midst of all the many things that change in this world we have a Jesus whose love never ever changes. 

And know that we love you too, 

GGPa 

Wee-Z And The Big Black Bear

Dear Byron,

I wrote to your Mommy and Daddy about some excitement we had up here in Pagosa Springs, CO. this past week. I was taking my daily walk around the neighborhood and GGMa was standing on the back porch deck when suddenly she saw a bear like the one in this photo come ambling across the meadow from the west toward our house. This in itself was quite a surprise, because, while we've seen a herd of elk, several foxes and coyotes, we've never seen a bear near our house. I did encounter one way up the hill in the woods one time, but never down in our area.

Anyway, what got GGMa really excited was that our little Pecka-poo, Wee-Z, the brave, 10 pound defender of our house, took off after Mr. Bear, barking and warning him to get out of here. GGMa said she yelled at Wee-Z to stop, but to no avail. That ol' bear didn't belong and Wee-Z was gonna see that he ran away. GGMa says she was so afraid the bear would scoop him up for a one mouthful meal. Thankfully the bear ignored our little guardian and went on his way. Nevertheless Wee-Z stood his ground and barked until the bear was gone.

For a time, after she lost sight of the bear behind the house, GGMa says she thought he had gone into our garage—the door was open—to look for a garbage bag full of goodies. However, when she cautiously pushed open the side door to peek in, no bear. He had proceeded on down our driveway and off into the neighbor's yard. Wee-Z scared him off! don't ya think?

You can read more about the current bear problem up here in the Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper -that's where I found this photo and and read the story about bears. It seems that this spring's dry weather  up here in the mountains has left the bears without adequate wild food, so they've started to come among the houses looking for garbage, bird seed, left-over bar-b-que and anything else they can find.

I'm happy that you have a doggie in your house. Her name is Tootsie and I'll bet you and she have become great friends. Of course, you don't have any bears in Houston, except at the zoo, but you should be happy that your dear little animal-sister is with you to raise the alarm should any other critter or person try to break into your house.

As a boy I always had a doggie to play with me. We roamed the farm and were fast friends and companions. And I'm happy to see that you have Tootsie to be your friend as well. Give her a big hug for GGMa and me.

We love you,

GGPa

The LORD Of The Mountains

Dear Byron,

You will remember that in my last note I mentioned our second home in Colorado. Your Mommy says she's happy that we've not sold that house yet. She wants you to be able to play in the snow maybe next winter. I'm all for playing in the snow. Perhaps we can arrange for that to happen whether we sell this house or not. Right now, though, there's not a flake of snow in sight. Here's what we saw yesterday as we sat on our front deck here in Pagosa Springs.

View from our front deck

If you look closely you can just make out the mountains, but everything is very hazy. That's because the mountains have been covered with smoke these past couple days. Because of this some folks around here are asking if fires have again broken out in the mountains of Colorado. I was worried about that as well, so I did a search of the weather sites on my computer. I learned that the haze is caused not by fires here in Colorado, but by fires in states further west. The wind is bringing the smoke eastward. We have no more fires here. The summer mountain monsoons, as they're called, keep the mountains wet with fresh rain almost every day. As a result, we have no more fires. 

Well, Byron, that gives you just a little taste of what life is like here at 7,000+ feet up in the mountains in the summer time. Perhaps one day you will get to hike and camp and even hunt in the same mountains. And perhaps you will, like your parents and grandparents, get to go skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in these mountains in the winter. Always lots of things to do in the great outdoors. 

One thing I do hope you will do. I  hope you will get outside the city in which you grow up and spend time every year in the beauty and wonder of the outdoors. Only in that way will you be able to appreciate the wonders of God's creation. 

The psalmist puts it well when he writes about the LORD. 

From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart. The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. ... O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. - Psa 104:13-18, 24 ESV

Stay well, dear Byron. Give our love to your Mommy and Daddy.

We love you too,

GGPa

Our "Koderader Retreat"

Dear Byron,

I'm sad, so sad that I've neglected to write to you for well over a month now. Meanwhile you, Mommy and Daddy have settled down to a regular life in your new home in the Heights area of Houston. I do pray that you are happy. I hear that you are, but please know that your GGMa and I miss you. Perhaps when we get back to our house in Spring we'll be able to see you again.

Oh, I didn't even tell you where we are. We're in Pagosa Springs. That's a small town in Colorado. Yes, in Colorado. You see, we've had a second home here ever since 1997. That's a long time ago, isn't it? Your Daddy was here for the Christmas time vacation that the whole family took. At that time we had a special family dinner during which we dedicated the home to the honor of our Lord Jesus and for the use of family and special friends. Over these past 15 years we've had many, many people use our Colorado home (we call it our Koderader Retreat). Your Aunt Cassie was responsible for the name. When she was a little girl she told us she couldn't pronounce Colorado. All she could say was Koderader; hence the name.

GGMa and Aunt Cassie and Wee-Z up here

Here are some of the notes we received in our Guest Book:

Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely Pagosa Springs home. Everything about this place has been wonderful: beautiful mountains all around; spectacular views everywhere, invigorating mountain air, cool, comfortable weather. 

You are to be commended in your choice of this site and its natural beauty, absolute comfort and relaxation is our way to describe this home. 

Lots of fantastic things to do here—Chimney Rock, hot springs, horseback riding, hiking. We had a great family time. 

This home is so warm and friendly with all the family pictures everywhere. Their importance to you is so obvious. 

The rain Monday afternoon (moving south to north) was spectacular; I think I'll have a great photo or two of mountain clouds, etc. The pure and fresh aspect of this area simply takes one's breath away. 

We were blessed to stay here this week and are very thankful. I wrote a song for you. The words are on the picture and recorded on the CD. 

Only heaven could be as pretty as here. . . 

We have enjoyed a very restful week. The people here have been so nice to us.
I almost got Dar on the hot air balloon. Maybe next time . . . 

Your cabin has a warm, welcoming feeling, making us relax immediately. It has been therapeutic for both of us, just to get away from the big city.

And so go the many comments, on and on, year after year. We only regret that you may never get to visit with us in our Koderader Retreat. You see, Byron, we're selling the house. After all these years we've had to make some difficult decisions. Times change, people change and so do the circumstances of our lives. At this stage in our lives GGMa and I have decided to downsize our responsibilities and maybe even move to a new home in the metro area. We'll have more to say about that another time.

All this is a reminder that your life as well as ours will be full of change. But regardless of where you go on your journey, remember this one important fact:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hbr 13:8 ESV

His love for you never changes and He will always be with you wherever you go, even as He has always been with us and the rest of our family.

We love you,
GGPa