The raindrops started just outside of St. Cloud and I had a hunch we were in for a long, cold, wet football game.
Darren, Kevin and I attended the Minnesota High School All-Stars game on Saturday night but before the game started, we met up with Jeff of View From the Cloud. Having met Jeff and his wife, Char, on a previous occasion, I knew it would be a joy to see them again.
And it was.
As Jeff explains here, his son, Austin was chosen to be Grand Marshal for the Granite City parade. Austin is one of those kids who seems to be born with an ability to change the world for the better and has the courage to actually do it. Not only was he a leader for the parade, he is the leader in the proposed St. Cloud Skate Plaza.
This 16 year old kid rubs shoulders with the mayor of St. Cloud and prominent businessmen in the area and talks about it like it’s no big deal, and certainly less admirable than his latest skateboard move.
Jeff and Char need to write a recipe book on how to make a great child. The profits from the book would fund hundreds of skate plazas and then Austin could start “The Austin Lee Foundation” and give grant money to kids with visions.
The icing on this happy cake was finally, at long last, meeting Jeff’s parent, Bill and Lois.
A look back at my blog entries would tell the story of how Bill and Lois have become dear friends of mine, one encouraging comment at a time. They’ve been with me during some bumpy roads and have invested love into my life. Amazing how you can love someone having never met them and how wonderful it makes the meeting!
Had it been an option for me, I would have skipped the game and spent time trading witty comments with Bill and hugging Lois until she finally said “Oh for Pete’s sake, stop already!” Then Jeff would’ve had to peel me off of his mom and file a restraining order.
Five minutes wasn’t nearly long enough.
After this special encounter with the Lee family, we headed over to Husky Stadium for the game. Fox Sports was filming for a later broadcast and being able to witness the behind-the-scenes of that was very interesting.
One of the broadcasters was getting ready to go live when a bird crapped all over the front of his shirt. It was hilarious to see a crew member search in downright panic for a towel to clean it off the poor announcer.
A half dozen Viking cheerleaders were there along with former Viking players, Randall McDaniel and Matt Blair, who served as honorary coaches for the teams.
Not more than ten minutes into the game, the sky opened up and the deluge began. For three hours I ran up and down the sidelines trying to get good photos of the athlete playing from my hometown while the rain prevented me from seeing through my glasses, all the while craving Lois’s warm hugs.
The team I was hoping would win, lost. I managed to get a few decent photos for the paper but the real story of the day happened at the beginning of a parade.
Tags: It's My Life
June 30th, 2008 at 7:04 am
What sweet comments, it’s not hard for folks to be rooting for you to make it with such talent and all! A note about Bill and Lois - they are incredible and they are the perfect examples of “money don’t buy happiness”. They never had much $$ but they had eachother and were grateful for that, they share what they have and love those around them. One of Bill’s Billisms (okay I think St. Pete or someone like that said it first but Bill sure likes to say it) that is an example of who they are is “How can you love a God that you can’t see, if you can’t love those that you can see” Everyday those 2 live out living God’s love through how they treat others. They went to that parade, pretty darn sure they would get soaked, as the down pour came and we had already seen Austin they sat firm as they waited for Rosie and her karate troupe. We returned home to no home cooked meal but a trip to McDonald’s at 8pm because I hadn’t had time to cook - no complaints. They actually raved about the delicious chicken sand. I am glad that you all got a chance to meet, if only it had been longer. They have grown to think of you as family, and trust me as someone who is now family, that is a very good thing. Here’s hoping that you all get to spend more time together at another time! And on the other note, Jeanine, how awesome of you to take time out of your busy day to come to our parade. We LOVE the pics of Austin and it was so great to see you (and Darren) again (if only for a moment) and to meet your darling boy Kevin - who I felt like we already knew. Just as cute in person!!! Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to stop and say “hi”!
June 30th, 2008 at 9:03 am
You are too impossibly sweet. I have it on good authority that your detour to meet Bill and Lois was a major deal to both of them. And I hope it’s obvious how important it was to me that you stopped by. In fact, Austin made that clear when he exclaimed after meeting you, “Your THAT Jennine? From blogging?!!!” Yes my dear, you’re quite famous in the Lee household - a testament to how much we gush about you on a daily basis.
Thank you again… for leaving early just to see us for a way-too-short visit, for the gorgeous pictures you sent and for the touching tribute above. You are the best!
June 30th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Charlie- There’s an airshow with the Blue Angels coming to Duluth in a few weeks and I have tried in every way possible to convince the powers that be to give me one of the orientation rides they usually grant to members of the media. I wrote convincing letters and left heart-felt messages with over a dozen people involved with the decision making.
I’ve not heard back from anyone and I’ve been quietly trying to deal with the disappointment because it’s something I want so much!
But even if the Blue Angels were to call today and the number seven pilot personally invited me to join them for a half hour ride, this would still be remembered by me as “the summer I got to meet Bill and Lois”.
THAT’S how wonderful it was to me. And you, Charile, dropping everything to bring them to the staging area despite entertaining clients… I’ll never forget the kindness you showed me and my family!
So you calling Bill and Lois wonderful people is SO the pot calling the kettle black.
(and damn, woman! Your ironing skills make me jealous!)
Jeff- After the game we were trying to decide what to do because everyone wanted to head to Bubba’s after the game. Especially Kevin who thought that being in a bar listening to a band would be something he could brag about to his friends.
“Kevin, what did you do this weekend?”
“Oh, not much. Just went to a bar in St Cloud after the football game.”
This alone would have made him famous in Rush City. Kinda like bumping into Angelina Jolie at the mall.
But when I got in the warm vehicle after the game, I realized just how cold and rain-soaked I was and I made the unpopular choice to head home. But only after promising Darren and Kevin that we’d be back to hear the band another time.
It was wonderful to meet Austin.
It was wonderful to see you.
When’s the next parade???
June 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Thank you for all the complimentary things you said about us!!! You really make us feel special!!!! As Bill said—”Maybe I should ask them if we’re thinking about the same people”!!! And yes–it was wonderful to meet you, too. I admire you SO much—-having 7 children, and doing all the things you do—I just can hardly believe it, sometimes. And your deep faith in our God is something else I love about you!!! If you get the assignment for the Blue Angels, would you be staying overnight? Because, as we told you before—-we have extra beds here, if you ever get up to Duluth. All good things come to an end, and so did this past week-end. It was SO great to be with Jeff, Charli and the kids—-I sure wish they still lived in Duluth!!! Catch you later, and “Love you”!!!—-Lois
June 30th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
What a heartwarming story! And LOVE the pic of Austin. That is definitely a keeper.
I’m sure that any amount of time spent with the Furry family is precious. I’m thrilled for you.
And thanks for sharing! :)
(So Jeff Furry’s dad is a bazillion feet tall, too?)
June 30th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Teri- You’re welcome to join us anytime. Just let me know when you’ll be stopping by so I can put on a bra and make sure there’s no floaters in the toilet.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Lois- If I got the assignment with the Blue Angels, I don’t think I’d sleep for at least a week, but thank you for the offer. We are going to camp in Grand Marais for a few days and hit the airshow on the way home. By then home is going to look real good. :)
June 30th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Teri - I ended up being the same height as Bill - 6′4″… not quite a bazillion feet, but still taller than average.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Lois would never say that, and she has an endless amount of hugs! I was so close, in New Prague, but just couldn’t get away from the reception to get down to see the Receders. One of these days . . . Love your post!
June 30th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Hee. You guys made me laugh.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:15 am
Well, I certainly don’t know anyone here, ‘cept Neen. So, instead of acting like I was there, trying to make you wonder which one I was, I’ll just comment on the amazing photography yet again. Jennine, I’m your biggest fan! What a great picture of Austin. (I said that like I knew him. Did you catch that?) Your talent is awesome. Oh, and your hair cut is absolutely adorable! Too bad we live so far from each other that it hinders our getting together! Oh, someday we’ll be in each other’s neighborhood and have coffee. Someday.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I did send a message of thanks to you nnd Charlie for the many kind words, but it did not register here, so I say thanks again.—Bill