The Beiters visit mid-Michigan
In town for the Morgan memorial on the weekend of October 12 - 14, the Beiters arrived from Buffalo via the Ontario shortcut Friday morning around 1:15 A.M. After a draining, 1 point, last second loss to our rival football team earlier that evening, I was fast asleep on the couch with the lights and TV on, and Drew and Mary tapping on the window above my head. Some greetings and unloading of the car, a walk of the dog, some minor beer and Buffalo wing noshing, and everyone was tucked in to prepare for Morgan's memorial the next day.
Mom and dad, in their extraordinary gracious usualness, offered to watch both our and the Beiter kids, whom they hardly knew, so that we could attend the memorial. We thankfully arrived slightly early in the crisp, clear weather, and the service was very well-attended. That evening, we trooped up to the local Chinese takeout, and then across the street to borrow some videos (see movie review, above), and bunkered down for the night.
The service itself was a delightful hour filled with readings, homilies, singing, and reminiscences, one emotional and personal, the other humorous, informed, nostalgic, and Morgan-related. We knew no one in attendance, but the crowd was distinguishable by group: colleagues, students, and ex-students. In an attempt to lift our humor, we joked afterwards that the students were only too honored to attend, as they surely enjoyed Morgan's class, and all likely received 4.0s, considering Morgan passed away while teaching their class overseas. A reception was held afterward at the University Club, with a harpist, a wonderful photo montage, a buffet with some great apple pie, and an open bar, and we had the opportunity to mingle with the organizers.
The rest of the weekend had the Beiters kidnapping Nick to trek around the MSU campus and memory lane, while we attended Sophia's soccer game. Lounging, conversing, reading, napping, and kids playing in the afternoon, Bebee homegrown ham for dinner, and the triumphant Spartan football game on that inane non-penetrating television network at mom and dad's. Cinnamon rolls before our guests' departure Sunday morning, and Nick's football game in the steady rain of the afternoon. A full weekend, with great company, terrific food, and the marking of an influential man's life. Seamus asked on my way out the door for work Friday morning if Maggie and Mitch were coming over again this weekend.
Sadly, we didn't get any pictures of Drew and Mary, but just extrapolate their kids to imagine their gendered parent's appearance (Maggie equals Mary...).
Mom and dad, in their extraordinary gracious usualness, offered to watch both our and the Beiter kids, whom they hardly knew, so that we could attend the memorial. We thankfully arrived slightly early in the crisp, clear weather, and the service was very well-attended. That evening, we trooped up to the local Chinese takeout, and then across the street to borrow some videos (see movie review, above), and bunkered down for the night.
The service itself was a delightful hour filled with readings, homilies, singing, and reminiscences, one emotional and personal, the other humorous, informed, nostalgic, and Morgan-related. We knew no one in attendance, but the crowd was distinguishable by group: colleagues, students, and ex-students. In an attempt to lift our humor, we joked afterwards that the students were only too honored to attend, as they surely enjoyed Morgan's class, and all likely received 4.0s, considering Morgan passed away while teaching their class overseas. A reception was held afterward at the University Club, with a harpist, a wonderful photo montage, a buffet with some great apple pie, and an open bar, and we had the opportunity to mingle with the organizers.
The rest of the weekend had the Beiters kidnapping Nick to trek around the MSU campus and memory lane, while we attended Sophia's soccer game. Lounging, conversing, reading, napping, and kids playing in the afternoon, Bebee homegrown ham for dinner, and the triumphant Spartan football game on that inane non-penetrating television network at mom and dad's. Cinnamon rolls before our guests' departure Sunday morning, and Nick's football game in the steady rain of the afternoon. A full weekend, with great company, terrific food, and the marking of an influential man's life. Seamus asked on my way out the door for work Friday morning if Maggie and Mitch were coming over again this weekend.
Sadly, we didn't get any pictures of Drew and Mary, but just extrapolate their kids to imagine their gendered parent's appearance (Maggie equals Mary...).
Mitch
Maggie
Some of the crew.
The crew
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