Missouri and Minnesota.
Michigan and Montana.
Washington and Wisconsin.
Colorado and Virginia.
The 13 staff members of McQueen School, Kivalina, Alaska
2015 gathered on Friday evening for a secondary celebration of fellowship and
friendship. Like the Marines I served overseas with, these fine people will
forever hold a place in my heart as the group that I shared a year of my life
with above the Arctic Circle.
Outside, the temperature pressed in to the teens before our
3:30 sunset. So by the time everyone started to gather at Lyle & Emma’s
place, our ocean front view had turned to darkness. Jon Todd and Lyle hauled in
another kitchen table from one of the other apartments while Bill and John
Sullivan scavenged for chairs. I masterminded a shuffling of couches and end
tables in order to block out the TV and encourage comfortable conversation.
Meanwhile, Chris, Coleen, Nancy and Emma worked their magic tending to the
stoves, the prepared dishes, and the tin foil roll.
The cramped quarters never once felt uncomfortable. Our
number rounded off at 14 total as Lyle and Emma kept their tradition of
inviting a long time friend of Kivalina, Fonger, out for the festivities. 14
people politefully chatted and told jokes, talked shop and laughed, reminisced
and shared. By the time the food table had been set, very few instructions had
been given yet a delicate ballet ensued.
Lyle carved both turkeys like a surgeon while his bride to
be, Emma, was there for the assist. Bajczyk masterfully assembled a plate of
food that reminded me of Picasso painting a picture. Jon Todd and I picked at
the turkey from our seats on the sofa. Rebecca and John Sullivan chimed in with
their sharp wit at just the perfect time, every time. Leah guarded the chocolate
treats as if her life depended on it. Nancy’s energy and smile was contagious
as she and Coleen played off each other like an old comic duo. Cassie sat at the
head of the table and I’m sure I never once saw her without a smile. Dennis
blessed the meal and the hands that prepared it. If you tasted any of her
cooking you would know that the Lord had watched over Christina’s baking. It
was that good.
Heck, it was all delicious. There was: green bean casserole,
sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, 2 full turkeys and 2 completely different
kinds of stuffing, the obligatory gravy and pumpkin pie – not together,
chocolate pie, chocolate truffles, bars and summer sausage, a Caesar salad.
There was more than enough food for the 14 of us and by all accounts – it was a
pretty typical Thanksgiving Feast.
Except that we are here – yet extremely thankful.
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| Clockwise from Bottom Left - Leah, Lyle's Empty Seat, Fonger, Emma, Nancy, John, Rebecca, Kirby, Bill, Jon, Nancy, Dennis , Chris, & Cassie |
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