Wordless Wednesday

Going Home…

Mike and Allison arrived in Bloomington, Indiana yesterday evening. For me it was a bittersweet feeling. In one sense JoAnn and I wished we could be in Bloomington to greet them into our old home, our old Ward, and to the University. Yet, those times are behind us, we have moved on. It was about this time in 1990 that we arrived in Bloomington to start my new job with Indiana University. We came with 5 children, and the 2 at college eventually found us. It was another adventure and chapter in our lives and in some ways the most profound. We have lived a number of places, but in Bloomington we lived the longest we, as a family, had ever lived and I as an individual, had ever lived. It was a wonderful community. There was much to do and much to learn.


While we never learned to appreciate Indiana’s humidity we absolutely enjoyed the long springs and falls. After 13 years in Iowa we were prepared for milder winters and long springs and falls. The beauty of living in southern Indiana never became commonplace for us. Regardless of the season, there was great beauty to see. The spring flowers, the fall colors, the winter mists, the summer greenness. In each there was a great beauty.
The beauty of the place is one thing, but the people were also wonderful. Our children had life enriching experiences, made lifelong friends, and grew in so many ways. It felt like what home should be, but that was because of family, friends, and church. We lived on the edge of town and often I could walk home from work. It was only about 2.5 miles, not bad at all.

Story County Courthouse in Bloomington, IN

But that’s our story. Mike and Allison are making their own story. For Mike it is a bit about going home, but it is also new. He was a son, now he is a husband. He was a student, now he is a breadwinner. He returns as a family and with a wonderful wife and to a community where he has friends. We are so excited for them. We are nearer the end of our story than the beginning, although with many pages left, and they are at the start of their story.

Happy Birthday Mike

It seem like just yesterday I was holding our brand new son, Michael. Yet it has been 28 years since that cold and icy day in Ames, Iowa. We remember how excited we were that we were finally going to have a baby that was not born in the dead of winter. He wasn't, just during an ice storm. And we shouldn't have been clueless when he seemed to take forever to deliver. Mom was in labor for hours and in those days labor rooms were little more than an after thought - small, uncomfortable, and sometimes forgotten by the staff. Most of the time fathers were not even allowed in the birthing room. I don't remember if I was allowed in for Mike or not. However, in spite of all of the pioneer (by today's standards) medical technology, he was born and has become a wonderful young man.

And Mike, I'm sorry that I'm a couple of days late this time, but we didn't pick a very good time for you to be born. We are "super busy" right now as my blog attests to only weekend work and then not every weekend. I hope everyone enjoys this long set of photos of our youngest son.

What is not to love in a little baby, and like all of our children (no bias here) they were all beautiful.


Mike has always had a smile on his face and even at this age was still a little short of hair.


When you grow up in a house full of girls you always have to be a little wary since you don't know what they are going to do to you next. And no girls, I don't want to know how you tormented your little brothers.


But there is always time for sleep and when it's on our favorite couch (the one we all still miss) you take full advantage of it.


And when your great grandpa Merriam comes to town you must have a photo of the event. It was the last time all of the kids saw their Great Grandpa Merriam. Grandpa was 90 in this photo.


Mike does love his sisters and in this photo with Sally and Krissie you can see that love.


But there is a bit of a funny side to Mike. Like any good boy/man he likes to have a little fun and always has. There is nothing better than a good laugh.


Or a new pose.


Or color coding a new dress code.


And time with Mom in the pool.


Mike has a soft spot for his dog - Strider. We all enjoyed her and had lots of fun with her.


And of course he has turned into a wonderful uncle (okay, some of the nieces may not think that, but even here he is softening). Calvin was his first nephew and was and is special to him. [I think they both just woke up.] He can always be counted on to take care of Suzanne's children, or just to play with them. Note how comfortable Chas is with Mike and vice versa in the 2nd photo.



Then he came home from his mission on a late evening. There were no banners, no large crowds, just Mom and Dad, but that was what was important to all of us. He was beaming and such a missionary.


And while there were other photos I could add these last two are probably the most important to Mike and for us one our proudest moments. There is nothing like the marriage of your children to excite and reward a parent. We are so proud of all of our children, but on this day we were most proud of Mike and Allison. Love ya Mike and happy belated birthday! Dad...



Even a little rain didn't dampen this special day!

And I almost forgot Mike's self portrait he sent us several years ago. This may be our best representation of the complexity of our young man.