I have just to take a post to brag about this very special couple. Let me introduce you to Grandma and Grandpa (William and Charlotte) Nork. They have just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Think about that for a minute.
70.
Here's the family celebrating our togetherness with a Friday Fish Fry which includes Shirley Temples for the kids and Old Fashioneds for the adults.
Grandma thought she'd get some mileage out of this whole "70 years" thing and mentioned it to the waitress because she knew good and well that she'd get a sundae out of it. How? Because she already played that card with a different waitress a few weeks earlier. Yep. That's my Grandma, God love her. You can also catch her stuffing saltine crackers and whatever else she can find into her purse.
Grandma is my personal mentor in all things domestic. She is the queen of baking and cooking. She shares with me her Taste of Home magazines when she's done with them. Some of my favourite recipes I make came directly from her.
She has showed me the value of opening my home to friends and family. She has modelled hospitality and warmth. We laugh when we're together and tease each other in good humour.
Unfortunately, neither my mom nor I have inherited her green thumb. Shouldn't it at least skip a generation? But I got the short end of the stick on that one. I had my neighbour take care of my flowers and plants while I was away and I came back to better looking and healthier plants than when I left. I planted flower seeds in a barrel and have been watering them all stinking summer. Things have grown but they haven't been flowers. They're green though so I keep watering them all the while wondering if I'm really watering weeds. Which would be just like me ...
I may be taller than them now but they'll always be larger than life to me!!
We celebrated this momentous occasion with a party. It was a lovely affair with their closest friends and family in attendance who could make it.
Aren't they adorable?!!!
They were married when they were 18 and 20. That puts them at 88 and 90 today. They are still mowing the lawn, shovelling snow, growing beautiful flowers in planters scattered around their home and making sweet and savouries enough to nourish heart and soul of all who enter their home.
Grandpa used to work for the telephone company. As in, "Hey, kids! Wave to your grandpa up on the telephone pole as we drive by!" And there he'd be all strapped into his climbing gear as he worked on the telephone wires.
Grandpa also used to fly planes for recreation. As in, "Grandpa's picking me up for the weekend (from boarding school). Can you drive me to the airport?" And I think I had about the coolest grandpa ever who flew me to their home on weekends I needed a respite from high school dorm life.
Which makes sense that I'd name my first born son after the man. So began my grandpa being known as "big Will" and my boy being referred to as "little Will".
First and foremost, Grandma and Grandpa have passed on their faith in Jesus to their 2 girls that have continued this legacy onto their grandkids and great grandkids. One of my very favourite things to do is to take communion with them and know that just as I share with them in the body and blood of Jesus through a common faith here on earth, I will share eternity with them beyond this life!
They also influenced all of us in their love of music. This was witnessed in the program we had for them at the party. Hosanna played Amazing Grace and my cousin (also adopted from China), sang the words. Amazing grace, indeed!!
My mom, Will and I played together Let All Things Now Living. We all participated in singing How Great Thou Art.
It was hard to find a dry eye when we sang with the help of my Aunt Wendy, Will and the MC, a dear friend of theirs, How Great Thou Art.
Will and I had been tasked leading up to this event to compile video messages from all their grandkids since most of them were unable to attend. Their grandkids and families are very literally spread out all over - 2 in Alaska, 1 in China, 1 in Canada, 1 in England and 1 in Germany. It was a treat to surprise them with a gift they weren't expecting! My cousin and his wife in China announced in their video message that they are expecting their first baby in November! It was the perfect ending to the video.
Speaking of which ...
Check out the size of that video camera! Grandpa has always been passionate about all things video, camera and tape. He has shot countless Christmases, Easters, my high school graduation, Will's baptism, my high school senior play, my wedding and reception and hours of footage driving.
Mainly through Alaska.
It's not for the faint of heart.
So it should not have been surprising when he showed up with the old VHS video camera, having assigned someone ahead of time to take a movie of the anniversary party.
Apparently he never saw the advertisements for the smaller, newer digital cameras out there now. But why take a chance when "Big Bertha" has always shown her trustworthiness?
Thanks for letting me brag a little about these two precious people in my life and join me in celebrating a love that has been honoured for 70 years!
Cheers to Grandma and Grandpa!!!
