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| après un mois"after a month"
so much, so little has happened, in contrast to the two months before.
settling in to married life in our little house, jobs, whatever else
finally i'm writing the musics again, with real-life projects for people. we visited with the giffones at ross's wedding, and now i'm writing a piece for the Plumstead choir. also i have music to write for my own concerts. also jenny and i have decided to work on 4-hands music, such as Dr. Barta's "All Creatures..." for two pianos. all we need to do then is find a place with two really nice pianos. or we could play it at First Baptist and rent a piano. we already have one excellent Steinway B.
one really neat thing was that yesterday mark (brother-in-law) decided to give me a watch that was handed down to him from a really rich and obscure great uncle he didn't know. it turns out the watch is a 1903 Rockford pocketwatch, with a solid gold case. if you don't know this about me already, i go crazy over antique watches and stuff like this. these watches were made 93 miles from chicago, and were extremely popular with railroad men. the company was founded in 1876 and only lasted until 1915, but their watches are highly sought-after. one half-wind on the knob of this watch and it was ticking again. i am just amazed that such a tiny machine, constructed 105 years ago, works so perfectly after all these years, and having been stored unused for quite some time. mark knew i would love this watch because i am always wearing my grandfather's hamilton wristwatch (ca. 1943) and will many times just hold it to my ear and listen to it ticking away.
here are some pictures
that's all for now. i'm going to read and then get ready for work.
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| wir sind hierwe had a great trip to Loon Lake in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. we are uploading pictures on here for all to see.
we highly recommend the Adirondacks for all who enjoy the mountains. and if you're going to go, stay somewhere like Loon Lake, which is far enough away from tourist traps like Lake Placid that it's nice and quiet, but close enough to civilization that you can get there in about 20-30 minutes. also, the farther north, the better.
anyway, this is a short post, but here are some pictures.
this one is sunset on Buck Pond, which is near Loon Lake
here we are atop White Face Mountain, elevation ~4900 ft.
there's a whole album-full of these here | | |
| alsohere are some quotes from cards mom had received
Selections from notes written to and about Mom since she was in hospital
“…recalling all the ways you have impacted my life. I remember the help and encouragement you gave us when we decided to homeschool…I thank God for the blessing you have been in my family’s life and in my life.
“…[You are] the most wonderful mother I have ever known…I praise God for everything that makes you who you are; for your gentle strength, your wisdom, your eternal confidence in God, believing the best in us even when we show the worst…”
“You are a gift to us at Covenant.”
“….you and Mr. Kleeman took an active role, encouraging me and praying for us as we prepared for married life. I don’t know if we’ll ever quite get how to make Mrs. Kleeman’s iced tea, but there are a lot of great mom qualities you graced me with through high school and college…”
From a note written to Jean, Barbara’s mother:
“…I admire your beautiful daughter and I have always looked up to her as a shining star among His women. Barbara has very unusual quiet qualities that seem to be special gifts form God…She was so very earnest about the children’s education and I had great respect for the way she handled the day to day teaching. She set a high goal for others and I was grateful for her insights…”
“You have raised two godly children – what a joy they must be to you. Your love for the Lord flows freely from your heart…”
“Your mom was one of the nicest ladies I have ever met and we were privileged to know her. She will be enjoying a plethora of stars in her crown, for all she did for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.”
“…Thank you so much for teaching us in Sunday School. Of all the teachers, you’re the best!”
“She was a good friend, a wonderful, loving person.”
“Her beautiful heart is turned to God, and she has seen His twain, and looks forward in seeing His face, and meet her Savior, Jesus. The witness that she, you, and all of the family have been is what our Father will use for His ways in other hearts and lives, and to His name ALL praise, honor, and victory!!!”
“Your mom is one of the finest and most Godly women I have ever know and has always been such a role model to me.”
“Barb has done more in her short lifetime for Christ than most Christians will ever do. Perhaps her work is done."
“…[You are] a living Proverbs 31 Christian lady. You are a wonderful wife and mother, an excellent cook, a terrific homemaker, and a beautiful gardener. You live with praise and graciousness. You’re a patient teacher with a humble and wise spirit.”
“…thank you, Barb, for being such a great friend to my wife. You have been such a support and example to her.”
“Thanks for teaching me. I remember talking about Judges, and all the different times people rebelled, but were saved by a Judge, and ultimately Jesus.”
“Thank you for the godly example you have set for me, ever since I was a little kid.”
“You are such a wonderful example of motherhood with your loving, caring nature…”
“You bring joy and beauty wherever you go. You are a reflection of our King.”
“Barb, you are a blessing to our church family…Thank you for teaching our children in Sunday School. They greatly enjoyed you as their teacher…”
“…thank you for the friendship and encouragement…My sons have both made it through their high school years largely due to your support! …your positive evaluations and suggestions have picked me up and helped me to keep going.
“You so remind me of Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42) – always thinking of and doing for others.”
“I praise God for your…ministry, especially to our son. I’m really thankful for the time he was able to sit under your teaching.”
A note addressed from one of mom’s many “adopted” children:
“Dear Mrs. Kleeman, AKA Mom…”
“Through your nurturing friendship and fellowship you have taught us volumes about seeking after a daily personal relationship with our Lord.”
“…happy Mother’s day, as I feel in many ways that you are a mother to me.”
Finally, from a friend on mom and dad’s anniversary:
“…to an admired couple who have been a wonderful example of what a marriage should be!”
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| it is very good to have the treasure of loved ones on the other side of the riverbut it also doesn't feel like a very good thing. rest in peace, mom Kleeman.
Obituary
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Barbara Jean Kleeman
The Intelligencer
Barbara Jean Kleeman
Barbara Jean Kleeman of Sellersville died Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Grand View Hospital with her family by her side after a five-month battle with cancer. She was 57.
Born in Abington, she was the beloved daughter of Jean Dekalb Kraus of Sellersville and the late Louis Charles Kraus Jr.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 32 years, Charles Lewis Kleeman Jr.; her daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth, wife of Adam Franklin Dieffenbach, of Lederach; her son, Mark Andrew Kleeman and his wife, Rebecca Elizabeth, of Harleysville; her sister, Cathy Louise, wife of Eric DeWald, of Perkasie; and her nephews, Douglas, Brian and Todd DeWald of Perkasie.
She was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Harleysville, where she taught Sunday school classes and Ladies Groups. She also taught a ladies Bible study in her Brinkley Drive, Sellersville neighborhood.
A graduate of Drexel University and the Pennsylvania State University, she earned bachelors and masters degrees in science and nutrition. She became a registered dietitian and worked for the National Dairy Council in Southampton. Barbara home schooled her two children and later became a well-respected home school evaluator in eleven school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania. She loved teaching, gardening, raising her children, and being a wife. But mostly she loved her Lord Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria.
Her viewing and funeral service will be held privately. A memorial service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 310 Covenant Lane (off Route 63, Harleysville, where family will greet friends after the service.
For those desiring, donations may be made to Grand View Hospital Health Foundation, P.O. Box 902, Sellersville, PA 18960. Williams-Bergey-Koffel Funeral Home, Franconia
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Jenny pointed out that it feels like we have been struggling and suffering with mom these last months. And then we lost her. All that sorrow, followed up my more sadness. And she's gone. She's gone. She's out of here.
We were at the hospital, but Jenny & I were not in the room when she went. We were out waiting for Nana. Those in the room said it's probably just as well. Dying is not normally a pleasant affair, and particularly not in mom's case. She was willing to accept God's will no matter what, but that's not to say she was going to just sit around and die within a few days of her terminal prognosis.
Not to mention she was within minutes of death a few weeks ago, and now we all had a chance to talk to her some more and to say goodbye. As for now I'm too tired to keep my eyees open anymore. We listened to Unwed Sailor the other night while playing Scrabble until the wee hours.
Good night. Good bye mom K. | | |
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