It is really hard to put into words just how incredible a man my Grandpa was, but I know I speak for the entire McHenry extended family when I say that we're grateful that so many people managed to do that hard task and tell us about how much he meant to them. We heard stories about how he would keep his yard perfectly groomed (and it is an ENORMOUS amount of yard to manage!) and how when the apples would start to fall, he would pick them up and take them to the horses down the road. And how he would save his grass clippings to take to the pasture at the same farm to help the mulching.
We heard about how he befriended a sweet little kiddo named Noah at church and how they became fast and fierce friends. How Noah would call "Mac!!!" when Grandpa would come in on Sundays. And how Noah loved trains as much as Grandpa did and how they could go on and on about them.
We heard about how long and how hard Grandpa would work as an Engineer for the B&O Railroad. We heard about how Grandma used to look for the steam of the train so she knew when to go pick him up at the station. We learned how he got a letter from her every single day when he was in Germany and Luxembourg during the war.
We learned that he was the source of many recent adventures...one involving driving around town at 2:00 am to make sure that others who were in need were able to be comfortable and taken care of in their final hours (and how he even managed to make such a difficult time like that one such a memorable and special one).
We learned how he was often one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave when he went to area church and VFW dinners. Everyone knew him and everyone loved to talk to him.
Then there were a lot of things we already knew. That he was funny. VERY funny. And that he was kind. And that he knew how to sacrifice and save. That he is in Heaven with the God he loved and served.
We will miss him more than we can even predict. His passing was quick and unexpected but we are able to celebrate that he will never be lonely again. He can enjoy all the $0.25 pies Heaven has to offer (he was REALLY frugal here on earth!). He can enjoy perfect sight with no cataracts. He can enjoy meals far better than even the amazing feasts in Rockland. He can golf on courses far more incredible than even his cherished Myrtle Beach. He can see sights even more majestic than what he would marvel at in Colorado each year. He can reunite with all those who went before and were waiting expectantly for him. And the rest of us will look forward to joining him some day. And we know the first thing he'll say is "don't you want something more to eat? Come on, just finish up this corn. How about some more turkey? Ham? Eat!"
Love you and miss you Grandpa. http://www.thederrick.com/stories/01282008-1051.shtml
Well. I've heard "
Anyway, it was a wonderful evening with Matt and Robyn...we enjoyed a great dinner at the neighborhood Cambridge tavern and then enjoyed pictures from Robyn's sister's recent wedding in Tahoe (congratulations, Adam and Diana!!!! GORGEOUS pictures, gorgeous couple). Then I made a ridiculously hasty exit as I was silently panicking about whether I could find my car at the T station when I arrived back in Quincy. Good news is...plenty of Celtics fans rode along with me and there is always safety (and confidence) in numbers. Below is a picture of Matt doing his "man at rest in the evening" pose which I thought was just oh-so-Cambridge. Delightful.
Note the incredible art behind Matt and Robyn in the picture below...Dr. Seuss originals! Incredible.
We also learned that Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba and it happens to be where Hwy 1 ends. We don't live far from Hwy 1 here in Maryland, and Kevin's parents live even closer to it up in Langhorne, PA. So because we're relatively geeky about stuff like that, we're excited to see the terminus. 
Oh, and of course this is the place Hemingway did much of his best work. I cannot wait.
THIRD...they told us our marriage license is invalid. INVALID. Kevin literally had to grab my waist and pull me back as I pointed to my passport and yelled "that marriage license was good enough for the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT when they issued me a passport with my new name as well as Social Security card! How can the state of Maryland suddenly have a problem with it?"
My Pennsylvania license says Amy K. Maiden Name. Well Maryland happens to be what's known as a "full name state." They need me to "prove the K." So I need to show them my birth certificate which will prove that my middle name is Katherine. Please keep in mind I have a new passport, a new Social Security card, a voter's registration card, proof of address with my new name and what I thought to be a valid marriage license. Now my mother needs to mail my BIRTH CERTIFICATE out here so I can "prove the K." My middle name isn't even Katherine anymore. My middle initial is now M. So the K is completely irrelevant. Unbelievable. Don't get me started on the fact that evidently my name is still not LEGALLY changed. Even though all my federal documentation as well as health insurance and payroll indicates that I'm now a genuine Vile.
Honestly, I'm out of my mind. So who knows. I might never be legal in this state. They should change the name to Redtapeland rather than Maryland. 
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Kevin's big gift from his wife this year was Guitar Hero III for the Wii. No one can rock "Talk Dirty to Me" like he can. Amy's big gift from her husband this year was an incredible scavenger hunt around our house where she found MANY fun gifts like a magazine subscription, an iPod and her favorite...20 Godiva roasted almond truffles. Each clue was even a poem. Casanova.
Amy will be visiting Pittsburgh this weekend, too, to attend the annual Bible Study Girl Christmas party. Hooray for frequent flyer miles and hooray for the BSGs (picture circa 2004)!!!
