As Christopher reached middle school it was time to change the moniker from "Buster to "Buddy," and finally to Christopher, in High school.
As I recall, his role as a technician in the theater arts department was a high water mark in his high school experience. Then, to the surprise of his grandparents, he headed for the New Mexico Millitary Institute (NMMI) for two years. I think that was a life-changing time for him. It was our joy to attend his graduation in that far-off land. Another beautiful experience.
Christopher followed his NMMI experience by matriculating at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, with a major in Recreation Management, then completing his degree requirements at a wilderness camp in Colorado. Again, his grandparents made a trip to see him at work. Two great events took place there for me. One was trout fishing for the first time - a long time dream of mine. The second was to follow Christopher's advice, to step out onto the lodge deck in the middle of complete darkness, at 3:00 a.m., and see the sky filled with stars. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. Thank you, Christopher.
His grandparents were so proud to see him take his education one step further by earning a master's degree in his field at George Williams College of Aurora University, in Illinois, and to be named the graduate student of the year.
Love of family coupled with love for the great outdoors, make him an ideal son, brother, grandson, uncle and nephew.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
BUSTER BOY
I was delighted to get a call from dear son on February 6, 1986, telling me that a baby boy was born into the family, and his name would be Christopher Edward Allen Anderson (the middle names were his 2 grandfather's middle names)
Because the Anderson Family moved to Wisconsin, dear wife and I saw little of Buster Boy (my name for him), until our permanent move to the Midwest in July of 1990.
It didn't take long for the two of us to have a favorite hobby, and that was fishing - whether from an outboard motor, our canoe, or on the shore (including ice-fishing). We always had a bet (50 cents), for the "first fish caught, " or "most fish caught," and I ALWAYS Paid up!! It eventually came to me that Buster Boy was releasing and then catching that same fish, but, of course I had no proof of that. Ice-fishing was always a best time for togetherness. There is something special about being out in the middle of the lake, sun beaming down, and a perfect quietness surrounding us.
The winter sport of sledding was also great fun. I'll never forget the first time the family went night-sledding behind Crestwood School, on a full moon night - beautiful.
Time marched on, with the advent of T-BALL, SOCCER AND LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL - each a great learning, although sometimes, frustrating experience.
TBC
Because the Anderson Family moved to Wisconsin, dear wife and I saw little of Buster Boy (my name for him), until our permanent move to the Midwest in July of 1990.
It didn't take long for the two of us to have a favorite hobby, and that was fishing - whether from an outboard motor, our canoe, or on the shore (including ice-fishing). We always had a bet (50 cents), for the "first fish caught, " or "most fish caught," and I ALWAYS Paid up!! It eventually came to me that Buster Boy was releasing and then catching that same fish, but, of course I had no proof of that. Ice-fishing was always a best time for togetherness. There is something special about being out in the middle of the lake, sun beaming down, and a perfect quietness surrounding us.
The winter sport of sledding was also great fun. I'll never forget the first time the family went night-sledding behind Crestwood School, on a full moon night - beautiful.
Time marched on, with the advent of T-BALL, SOCCER AND LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL - each a great learning, although sometimes, frustrating experience.
TBC
Sunday, January 15, 2012
CHANGE IN THE AIR
I am not sure just when we knew that dear son and family were leaving Richmond for Madison, Wisconsin. Although we would miss them very much, it was the right move for the family.
So---, in July of '88, the two-car caravan (including dear wife and myself) headed west, eventually arriving at a brand-new home that the Andersons were seeing for the first time! Yep. Dear son's back operation had kept him from flying for periodic inspections, but dear friends kept sending updates east. The house was beautifully built and spotlessly clean. After spending two nights in a motel, the movers were met, and the Andersons settled into their new home.
After the move was completed, dear wife and I headed for Oklahoma, for a family visit - always enjoyable, and then back to Virginia, as a newly-married couple, where I resumed my partime work selling advertising specialties.
That Christmas, we hosted the Oklahoma family, in Midlothian, VA. One highlight was a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, on a snowy night, where we (all bundled up to keep warm), watched a traditional bonfire, followed by a beautiful Christmas dinner at the Raieigh Tavern --all most enjoyable in spite of car trouble.
M.L.
So---, in July of '88, the two-car caravan (including dear wife and myself) headed west, eventually arriving at a brand-new home that the Andersons were seeing for the first time! Yep. Dear son's back operation had kept him from flying for periodic inspections, but dear friends kept sending updates east. The house was beautifully built and spotlessly clean. After spending two nights in a motel, the movers were met, and the Andersons settled into their new home.
After the move was completed, dear wife and I headed for Oklahoma, for a family visit - always enjoyable, and then back to Virginia, as a newly-married couple, where I resumed my partime work selling advertising specialties.
That Christmas, we hosted the Oklahoma family, in Midlothian, VA. One highlight was a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, on a snowy night, where we (all bundled up to keep warm), watched a traditional bonfire, followed by a beautiful Christmas dinner at the Raieigh Tavern --all most enjoyable in spite of car trouble.
M.L.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
HONEYMOON...SOD (T.E.)
Arriving in Northern Ireland was an emotional time for me. At last, I was in the land of my mother's birth! Wow! I also anticipated meeting my aunt Ruby McDowell (Mother's half-sister) and five cousins.
We met Cousin Pat Allen in a pre-arranged location and she took us to a nearby hotel for the night. The next morning we met Cousin Iris Hamilton, who drove us to her home where we met her husband Davey, a self-employed house-painter.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. We saw the house where my mother was born, visited the family church where Mother answered an altar call as a youngster, and the family cemetery plot, where I saw a history of the family - written in stone. Dear wife and I hosted a dinner (for 22), which put all of the family in perspective (parents with children). My Aunt Ruby looked exactly like my mother.
I think I should describe the family members and their occupations. Cousin Sally (Davey) had a small restaurant; Pat (Sammy) was a homemaker and her husband was a lead teacher in a vocational school; Robert (Ida) was a retired Presbyterian pastor; Sam (Addis), with a doctorate in chemical engineering, worked for the DuPont Company.
It was time to head for home. An Aer Lingus flight took us to New York City and on to Richmond, where we were greeted by dear son, daughter and grandchildren.
M.L.
We met Cousin Pat Allen in a pre-arranged location and she took us to a nearby hotel for the night. The next morning we met Cousin Iris Hamilton, who drove us to her home where we met her husband Davey, a self-employed house-painter.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. We saw the house where my mother was born, visited the family church where Mother answered an altar call as a youngster, and the family cemetery plot, where I saw a history of the family - written in stone. Dear wife and I hosted a dinner (for 22), which put all of the family in perspective (parents with children). My Aunt Ruby looked exactly like my mother.
I think I should describe the family members and their occupations. Cousin Sally (Davey) had a small restaurant; Pat (Sammy) was a homemaker and her husband was a lead teacher in a vocational school; Robert (Ida) was a retired Presbyterian pastor; Sam (Addis), with a doctorate in chemical engineering, worked for the DuPont Company.
It was time to head for home. An Aer Lingus flight took us to New York City and on to Richmond, where we were greeted by dear son, daughter and grandchildren.
M.L.
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