Mike, Tim, Susan and Julie,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She has always held a special place in my heart. We have communicated every year around Christmas and she always updated me on your lives. I have special memories of her, your dad and all of you coming to our resort every summer and afterwards when your lake house was built. She made me feel so welcome when I did my nursing psychiatric training in Independence, IA. I would visit on the weekends and she would fix me spaghetti and buy me mint chocolate chip ice cream. I know she will be greatly missed and I will miss her yearly letters. She was a special friend. Again, cherish the memories.
Condolences,
Terry Carney Johnston
Terry Carney Johnston
December 13, 2024
I've been thinking about our time together and trying to figure out how to put a lifetime into words.
It was an amazing time growing up with you down at the lake (which is where your nickname comes from, DATL...down at the lake). The summers there were my absolute favorite! Looking back, the moments that stick out to me are those wild rides in the van on the lake roads, all of our boat rides - each was such an adventure, and the foods...ice cream, the snacks you always had for us on the dock, the baking...I'd make myself sick wanting to eat everything!
Every time I travel, I think about grabbing a bag of popcorn for my snack. Every time I get back from swimming, I always hear you say, 'no wet towels on the bed!' Every time I go out in the summer, I always wear my sunscreen (it might be 2hrs too late, but I try). Every time I make bread, I always think 'kneading is better with your hands,' and never worry about making a mess. Every time I go shopping, I always feel like I need chips, salsa, and a virgin strawberry daiquiri after (or now that I'm older, a margarita). And every Christmas when I pull out my special holiday dishes, I think about you and all of your sets...and of course all of your silly Hallmark toys that sang and danced.
Rest in peace, Grandma. Give 'em hell in heaven.
Katie
December 12, 2024