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"The Shortage" |
Our Family is made up of Mel & Gloria, fast becoming the patriarch and matriarch of the Tribe, four "children", all of whom are responsible adults, three of them are married, and eight grandchildren. I will tell you a bit about each of them and their own families in the context of our complete family life.
David is a Medical Technologist at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Co. and works in the Immunology Laboratory. David is a lover of the History of the War Between the States, and has his own Civil War Page. If you would like to know more about the Civil War, this is an excellent resource, with links to other historicalCivil War sites.
Dave is active in the United Methodist Church in Golden, Co., serves as Worship Chairperson, helping to develop special services for the congregation, and is also one who serves in the special "kitchens" sponsored by the church at Christmas and other seasons of the year. His hobbies, including the Civil War, also include golf, bicycling, tennis, swimming, movies, and the computer. For several years Dave rode in the Westcliffe bicycle race - a 30 mile stint up into the mountains at 10,000 ft.
Kathy is a school teacher working as a staff member of First United Methodist Church in Coral Gables, Fl. Married to Steve Stone, they have three children, Megan, a Student at NCSU in Raleigh, N.C. Abby, a junior at Palmetto High in South Miami, and Stephen, a 5th grader. Kathy keeps busy escorting kids, planning church programs, meeting with new residents of the City, being a wife and mother, and president of the United Methodist Women of her local church.
Steve, stays very busy as general manager for Knight Ridder Shared Services, playing golf, finance chairman of the Local Church, and active father of three busy young people. I will say more about the grandchildren later.
Steve Short, D.O. is a pulmanologist in Manhattan, KS. a very active critical care Dr. in the local medical community. We were honored as his parents to go with him and his family to San Francisco two years ago, where Steve was inducted into the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Manhattan. With two youth in the family of confirmation age, he and his wife, Whitney, have led the confirmation class for the church the past two years. When not working as a physician or caring for his family and church, Steve plays a mean game of golf (not good - just mean) He also is an avid bicyclist, tennis player, swimmer, and has also participated in the Westcliffe, Co. 30 mile bike ride into the mountains for several years . Because of their common interests, the two sons have a great time playing sports, and talking shop.
Whitney, Steve's wife is a nurse, and works with the Local Church in Parish Nursing. She also works with diabetics, and has worked as critical care nurse in hospital. I mentioned the children, they are Genny, an active 8th grader, Austin, equally active in the 7th grade, and Hazen, in the 3rd grade. Along with the other Grandchildren, I will say more about each of them later.
Marsha Kedigh is a nurse at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tn. She has her Masters degree in Hospital Administration and before becoming Case Manager, was Manager of the Emergency Department. Marsha and her husband, Larry moved to Nashville to explore the possibilities of working in a major metropolitan city. Marsha and Larry have two sons, Caleb, in the 7th grade, and Keaton in the 5h grade. I will say more about them later.
Larry is an instructor in statistics and the Internet at Middle Tennesee State University. He has a Masters Degree in Information Services. Formerly, he was a teacher of Math and Science in Middle School. He has been an active supporter of Baseball and Basketball for young people. You can find his work with Baseball on his home page at www.kedigh.com
When you think of 8 grandchildren, the tendency is to count them from the oldest to the youngest. That's OK., so I will. Our oldest granddaughter, Megan Stone, is in NCSU, Raleigh, where she is majoring in religious studies. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Her plan is to go into some form of full time Christian Service. She was an International Baccalaureate in High School, majored in Spanish, spent time in Mexico, loves the language. She is also a great soccer fan and player - plays keeper - and an exciting clogger. So much for sports, it would appear she will also be a good theologian, lover of people, and will make her contribution to the Kingdom of God in Christian Service.
Next is Abby Stone, our graduating high school senior next year. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Abby is one whose life is filled with activity - school, church, friends, whatever is good and wholesome, she will be there. Abby wants to be a Pediatrician, and she will do well. She is a good student, a lover of children, and ready to study medicine. Abby and Megan are both children of Steve and Kathy Stone.
Our next grandchild is Genny Short, daughter of Steve and Whitney Short. Genny plays the violin in Manhattan (KS) gold orchestra, and with her younger brother, Austin, had the privilege of going to England to play for Rotary International last year. Genny plays basketball, baseball, volleyball, and track. Besides violin she plays in the church bell choir, takes vocal and piano lessons. She is a good student in the 8th grade, and is a delight to be with.
A grandson follows in the order of grandchildren, Caleb Kedigh, son of Marsha and Larry Kedigh. Caleb loves basketball, and as a 7th grader played on the 8th grade varsity in his Middle school. Perhaps his greater love is baseball, and this is a standout sport for him - He regularly plays catcher, but also pitches, and plays the infield, swinging a strong bat as well. He was on traveling teams in both Basketball and Baseball and excels in both. Golf cannot be far behind in his interest as well. Sports seem to be high on the list, but school is OK. too. He is a good student
Right behind Caleb is his cousin, Austin Short, 7th grader, who is also an all around athlete and student. Austin plays basketball and baseball is on traveling teams for both sports and also excels in both. He takes tennis and golf lessons as well. He plays the violin and is also in the Manhattan Gold Orchestra and went to London England last summer playing for Rotary International. He takes piano and voice lessons. Last year he had the lead in the High School musical "Mame". He was the only Middle School participant. He as well as his sister Genny sing solos in church youth choir. He has been asked to sing for a wedding this summer. A great student.
Caleb's younger brother, Keaton Kedigh is our next grandson. Keaton is a 5th grader, and an aesthetic young man, with a flair for artistic drawings (his work can be seen on Kedigh.com)) and also a flair for writing. While in church one day, he drew a picture of the church building and it was printed as the bulletin cover the next week. Keaton plays the piano, has an ear for music, and will probably do well in all musical endeavors He is also a whiz with games like Sego. He makes friends easily, and loves playing with them.
The next grandson is Stephen Stone, son of Kathy and Steve Stone. Stephen is also a 5th grader. His love is soccer, and also does well at basketball and baseball. He ran for an office in school last year. He is a good student, loves to play golf, and sings in the youth choir of the Coral Gables United Methodist Church. He is a whiz on the computer, talking with his friends.
Our youngest grandson is Hazen (named after his great grandfather), and is a 3rd grader this year. Hazen is a young man who loves to play with toys, and use his imagination to fill in the gaps. He is also an excellent drawer. Hazen is a television lover. as perhaps many his age are, he also plays the cello, which is about as big as he is - but he handles it well. Hazen's sport is soccer and will probably also be golf. He likes to be with his friends. He is a good student.
This entire group has a love in Colorado - a cabin at 8900 feet in the midst of a balsam fir forest. We (the entire family) spent a good many summers building the cabin, which is now adequate for all of us to gather each summer. Except this year is the 50th anniversary year of Mel and Gloria, and the whole tribe of 17 persons is planning to go together on a trip at Christmas this year on a Carnival Cruise. For three days all of us will live, eat, play, talk and enjoy together. What a privilege to be a part of a group of people, all related, who enjoy each other and keep close tab on how things are going with each one. We are a privileged family!!
A center of attraction for the family is the cabin in Colorado. Gloria and Mel spend most of the summer there each year. Life consists of drinking coffee on the back deck,. walking the forest pathways, playing golf, playing bridge, worshipping at the local United Methodist Church, and entertaining guests from "back home."
We have been going to the cabin for nearly 40 years! It all started with a small 12x14 room, (or "addition") to which we have added a cabin slowly along the way. There is now about 1200 square feet, and completely convenient. When you spend time at 8700 feet, you spend it slowly. Retired living suits the atmosphere completely.
Can you imagine the snow which falls straight down, like a curtain falling from the sky? Can you imagine a rushing trout stream with soft boulders on which to lounge while you listen to the rippling of the water cascading? Can you imagine snow capped peaks reaching to the heights of the heavens, reflecting the red of morning and thus called "The Blood of Christ" (Sangre de Cristo) range? The Balsaam Fir trees lift fronded limbs high into the heavens 60 feet tall, and Aspen leaves quake in reverence as the gentle wind lofts through the hills on its way to the valley far below. This is our world of spiritual retreat and renewal.
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