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John Jackson

And, Dave, the congregation at your church's early morning service appears to be bathed in a heavenly glow... 

David Mitchell

John,

I think the "glow" is from everyone holding a candle on their laps and the reflection on the backs off each person in front of them. Pretty cool anyway. 

John Jackson

Dave, you coulda fooled me - I thought it was some kind of divine manifestation.  Aren't we now particularly in need of some of that?

David Mitchell

Indeed John, we are in need.

Michael McLeod

THAT IS ONE GORGEOUS PHOTOGRAPH, DAVE!

Made me wanna cross myself!

Joseph Gentilini

David, this is an absolutely beautiful phote! Thanks for sharing it.  joe

James Hamilton, M. D.

Dave,

Not only a beautiful but also a spiritual photograph! The kind of sky that Christ may have seen upon His resurrection!

Jim

David Mitchell

Yes it is a mystical photo.

Remember I didin't take it. One of my budies at church took it and sent it out to  a bunch of us. With my raging sleep disorders I could never be up early enough to be there for it.

Michael McLeod

sure wish we had ladies present. somehow this place is a boy's club. I wonder why. seriously, I hate to think we fellas have been too loud, too abrasive too boring.....or if women would rather communicate in person...or if they don't want to expose themselves to bullying, I hate to think they think of us that way, We do disagree, we boys, but it's rarely heated or surly, I dunno. I grew up with three sisters - I was the only boy - and I'm in a profession that features women on a somewhat equal footing and presence and in positions of respect and I really enjoyed that aspect of journalism. So I am accustomed to hearing female voices, being supervised quite often by female editors and teaming up with the opposite sex in developing stories -- so i like hearing the voices from that side of the great divide.

Deborah Alexander (Rogers)

Mike, you are right!  As women, we should post more on this forum which is for all of us.  I must say that I thoroughly enjoy your posts.  I frequently share some of them with my daughter who teaches AP English at Upper Arlington High School.  She enjoys and sometimes even incorporates some of them into her lesson plans.  Jim, your photos are always spectacular so keep them coming.  I especially love the deer and fawn ones.  The area in which you live is truly spectacular.  Dave, your Easter photo was surreal and really captured the feeling of the day with the way it glowed.  Thank you all for sharing your photos and thoughts with everyone.

While I shy away from the political discourse, I do enjoy reading the different points of view.  One thing I think we can all agree on is that our country needs prayers right now.  

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion this summer!

Joseph Gentilini

Deborah - I could not have said what you did better or even as good. It is exactly how I feel also. Joe

Michael McLeod

Deborah:

Nice to hear from you. Plus you look totally hot in that stylish watterson uni. 

Michael McLeod

a favorite. I love the sentiment about cherishing a vocation.

Two Tramps In Mud Time 

ROBERT FROST 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

I have been watching the forum, hoping someone would share a link about the tragic Upper Arlington house fire very early Easter morning that claimed the life of Matt Schmidt, a member of the Schmidt’s Sausage Haus family. Yesterday would have been his 44th birthday.

I first learned of this heartbreaking news at Mass on Easter morning from my daughter, who lives just around the corner. When she and her family moved into the neighborhood four years ago, Matt’s wife was the very first person to welcome them into the community. Their loss is unfathonable to contemplate. Please keep Matt’s wife, his three daughters, and the entire Schmidt family and friends in your prayers.

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/upper-arlington/family-member-of-columbus-schmidts-sausage-haus-perishes-in-upper-arlington-fire/

Deborah Alexander (Rogers)

Joe and Mike,

Thanks for the compliments!  I think, even at my age, I am blushing!  Every time I see our pictures on the forum it makes me realize how young we were then, and so innocent of what the world had to offer us. It really is heartwarming to be able to be in touch with our classmates.  Thank you, Janie, for this forum you so generously created and maintain for us.

Michael McLeod

That's terrible news mm. I rarely read the columbus papers anymore, rooted in Florida as I am. I'll certainly send up a prayer for the family.

Michael McLeod

amen to thanking janie!!!!

Joseph Gentilini

Mary Margaret, I was also shocked at the news of Matt Schmidt's death from the fire at their home. He was one of the good men - kind, welcoming, good husband and father. Totally sad!  I didn't mention it here because I wasn't sure most people would know him. Since I work sometimes at the Schmidt Fudge Haus, I met him fairly often when he would come into the store to get something for his young girls. May he rest in peace.  joe

Janie Albright (Blank)

Was Matt Schmidt, Susie (Linda) Schmidt, our classmate's nephew? Tragic story. But thankful rest of family survived. Praying for the repose of his soul and for the entire family. 

Monica Haban (Brown)

Janie- 

I believe Matt is Susie's nephew. Perhaps Susie is not on the forum, if so, she might have posted Matt's tragic death, or been too devastated to do so. Matt's oldest daughter is in one of my granddaughter's class, and Matt's nephew is in another granddaughter's class at St. Andrew.  Matt's sister was in my daughter's class at Watterson. Lots of Watterson and St. Andrew / St. Agatha connections with Matt's family.  I heard all our fire equipment race down our street Easter morning. Never realized it was for someone we knew. The Go Fund Me account that was setup has raised close to $190,000 thus far.  May he rest in peace.  We pray for his beautiful family.

Monica Haban (Brown)

Matt's funeral Mass is April 21st at St. Andrew Church at 10:30 a.m. 

Sheila McCarthy (Gardner)

I have a mailing address for Susie Schmidt if anyone would like to reach out ... Matt Schmidt is her brother John's son. 

She can be reached at:

Susie Schmidt                                                         

3700 Sturbridge Court

Room 111

Hilliard, OH 43026

David Mitchell

On a lighter note: You folks in Columbus should be proud to know that Burger King will soon be trying out a new sandwich and testing it will be in Columbus, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. 

Aren't you special?

Michael McLeod

I know this will initially sound weird but i bet you will relate.

When I find myself thinking about something emotional, I feel it in my throat and my sternum.

Biologically that's crazy talk.

Emotionally it's not.

Even my tongue gets into the act, feels different given what I'm thinking about -- which is the possibility of moving, which would be celebrated by some of my loved ones and saddening to others.

 Just taking notice of my experience, ever the journalist, as I consider making a move from here in Florida back home to ohio.

ps: still shaking my head over that robert frost poem I posted on here earlier. I swear it influenced me to make the choice i made to pursue writing as my profession. You read a frost poem and it feels like he's some eloquent old dude who just happen to be standing in the checkout line with you and he tugs at you and confides, "you know how it is on an april day......"

I'm no genius but I've read a lot of poetry and Frost is one of the very select few who makes me feel like he's not talking to me out of a book but from standing right beside me in a soft, friendly voice.

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike McL.,

Like you, pondering a move back to Ohio is a difficult, daunting but necessary undertaking. 

We have started the process of destroying old papers and records that no longer are needed or are of use to us. Shredding services are the best way to do that and yesterday we did a lot of that. Today's generation likes to keep everything electronically somewhere in "the cloud" but we had boxes of such paperwork that ended up in the shredder vehicle yesterday. And there will probably be more to come later.

We have discussed the selling of our home with a realtor but we first must decide how to downsize - which will perhaps be our most difficult task - what to keep, what to release, what we really need vs. what we would just like, and find an apartment (not a house) that will be fitting for our age and close to Janet's family. 

This is the only house which we have ever owned. It fits us and we feel comfortable here and have all our stores, doctors, dentists, restaurants and so many other services and people we know and trust.

Jim

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