Ernie Craun

We lost a dear friend this week. Ernie Craun died on January 12. We have many special memories of Ernie and June Craun. He loved to talk about his family. He would light up when he spoke of them. One of our most special all time memories is at the wedding of their daughter Melanie in Nashville. Ernie, with his wonderful booming voice, sang Sunrise, Sunset before his daughter walked down the aisle. We remember his voice filling that beautiful church and we knew how special his daughter was. He, too, was a very special person.

Sunrise, Sunset
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older. When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way?

Now they must learn from one another day by day

They look so natural together just like two newlyweds should be

Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Kathy and John AND ELTON 1-17-09

John's brother, Jay, has a friend that is head of the lighting crew for Elton John. His name is Kevin (Stick). Jay arranged with him for us to have tickets to the Elton John concert in Sao Paulo. Most of you know John and I never stay up past 10 so this was a real stretch for us. We stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to where the concert was. This was really a blessing. We saw the crowds lining up when we arrived at the hotel at 2. We later found out that most of them SLEPT on the sidewalk because it was a standing concert. 30,000 people standing from 6:00 (when they opened the gate) until 12:30. Towards the end of the concert they started passing out like crazy. I am sure it was due to exhaustion, excitement and maybe a bit too much alcohol. Thanks to Kevin we had the only two seats in the place. He was a wonderful host and for this we are most grateful. The first person to perform was an Englishman also. His name was James Blunt. Then Sir Elton John. I was amazed that at 61 years old he could perform for 2 hours and 15 minutes. His jacket was of the Amazon with the brightest colors of green, yellow, orange and blue. The Brazilians sang along with James Blunt and Elton John on most of their songs. Many times Elton John would stop singing to listen to them. Kevin even got us drumsticks signed by Elton's drummer of almost 40 years. We had fun on our adventure and enjoyed stepping "out of our safe surroundings" for a night. Thank you Jay and Kevin!

(Pictures: #1 some of the crowd of 30,000 #2 Kathy & Kevin, #3 Kathy in one of the two seats #4 Kathy & John #5&6 view of Sao Paulo from our hotel room)

The wedding of Rosana & Rodrigo

They had large sandwiches of many different kinds. This one made with beet bread. Mr. & Mrs. GuhMe with Claudina!

The topper to the cake!

John and me with the beautiful bride.

Saturday, January 10, we attended the wonderful wedding of Rosana and Rodrigo in Sao Paulo. It was just a perfect day. We traveled down to Sao Paulo by bus. Mr. Guh had gotten a bus for 12 of us that were traveling to the wedding. We were glad he did. The Church was in downtown Sao Paulo and even on a Saturday it was crowded. The church and balcony were packed and the bride so beautiful and elegant as was her whole family. Most of the service was in Portuguese but three of my favorite songs were in English. Two of them sung perfectly by the groom. As they were leaving the church and walking down the aisle he was singing and everyone was clapping and cheering. It was incredible. Then we went to the reception in the back of the church. From the outside of the church you do not know there is also a courtyard in the back with trees and tropical flowers. It was a perfect place for the reception. They had many different very large sandwiches made of different breads. There was beet bread, pumpkin bread, spinach bread, sesame bread, and pesto bread. The fillings ranged from ham and cheese to chicken salad to tuna to pepperoni. Then they had chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. We left here around 12:30 and got home around 8:30. We had such a memorable time.