I've just returned from my Dad's
funeral. He turned 95 two weeks before and after celebrating with Mom their
73rd anniversary in August. The only serious illness he'd had in his life was
the mild heart attack that hit him a month before he died. Four years ago I
began saving Dad's emails, 323 of them in all. He didn't own a computer,
relying on WebTV's glacially slow dialup connection to send and receive
messages. That presented a never-ending string of technical challenges for him.
His emails invariably began with "Howdie," and were mostly responses
to my blogs and newspaper columns, which I called my daily rants, as well as
updates on his favorite sports teams and reviews of the books he was reading.
Mom's began with "Hi," and chronicled the happenings of the day.
May 15, 2010
From Mom
Hi: It's "Viking Fest in
Poulsbo. We'll go for Breakfast tomorrow at the Armory, sponsored by the Lions
club. It's fun to see all the OLD LIONS. Dad used to be one of them. In fact,
one year he was KING LION.
May 17, 2010
Howdie: We wonder whether our
machine is working because we haven't been getting any e-mail. Please try us and see if it flies.
July 9, 2010
Howdie: Did you receive Mom's
message about our dinner and waltz during the Lawrence Welk program? Her
"Three little boys" were the only thing missing from our evening with
Lawrence Welk!
Sep 13, 2010
Howdie: This has been an exciting
weekend in Seattle. The Huskies beat Syracuse big time and the Seahawks
thoroughly beat San Francisco. On Friday morning Mom had symptoms like a heart
attack. They whisked her off to the hospital.
Oct 19, 2010
Howdie: Us "Ancients" from
North Dakota are still low on the learning curve. You mention
"Kindles." Explain, please!
Oct 21, 2010
From Mom
Hi: In my last e-mail I wrote,
"I best go see what Dad was doing under the Sink in the Kitchen."
Well, the plumber arrived a couple hours later and put everything back in
order.
Feb 18, 2011
From Mom
Hi: The guy just left who had to
come to fix our Toilet. Dad tried to fix it, but it wouldn't stop leaking
because one of the parts (Dad put it there) was supposed to be outside the tank
instead of inside the tank.
Feb 27, 2011
Howdie: You mentioned you had sent
us a message. It did not reach us, so there must have been a "Glitch"
somewhere.
May
27, 2011
Howdie: Did you receive Mom's letter
on May 21st? We wondered because there have been problems with the mail not
"Flying."
August 14, 2011
Howdie: The "Fatted calf"
is awaiting the slaughter when you arrive!
August 26, 2011
We just received your message in
address only----there must have been a glitch, gel (the German word for the
Canadian expression, "Eh")?
September 10, 2011
I think the family philosophy had
much to do with the two Doctorates and two Masters degrees among the seven of
us. It was the philosophy of our parents regarding the importance of education
and their insistence we must continue in school despite the financial situation!
Dec. 17, 2011: In response to a
Christmas gift we sent to them, using the Amazon address to Dad.
I feel bad because it was addressed
to me only. We both feel bad because it looks as tho it doesn't include the
other person. We never do anything on our own unless the other person is
included. Perhaps there was an error so please give us a report.
December 18, 2011
Thank you for your prompt reply. Our official address is: Gene and Rose Riehl. We are so happy that the matter is now
settled.
Dec. 19, 2011
We are unable to bring up the Google
that you mentioned. We may have to wait until Jim returns to see if we can
reach Google. We might have to see if he
can reach it with his computer.
Nov. 15, 2012: In response to our
concerns about his driving
Howdie: We now only drive to church
and the grocery stores which is less than a mile away. Mother is always in the car doing vigilant
duties. In nice weather we walk to the church or don't go at all when the
weather is bad. Thank you for your concern. We'll keep you informed if we have
any problems.
July 15, 2013
Howdie: We finally were able to
bring up your picture. Mom insisted it was a picture of me. It proves the truth
of an old saying, "You can't tell the difference between an old stud and a
young one."
Oct. 19, 2013
Will this fly?
Nov. 15, 2013, a year ago to the day
of his funeral.
I now found a way to roll the text up and down, so please
send me a new copy of your rant!
Rest in peace, my Dialup Dad. May
all your heavenly emails fly without a glitch, gel?
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