Keep Stringing It Along

We are what we think. All that we are arises from our thoughts. Within our thoughts we make our world.—BUDDAH, as read in the book “DO” by A.C. PING 

I loved the THANK YOU for the Birthday Gifts cards that my niece, Holly and Ally sent me. Super sweet feeling to get a happy reply from them. 

I am glad Ally liked her Barbie. Funny because Dorothy Rua sent me a nostalgic Barbie postcard this week as well. It was delayed in delivery but at least I got it. 

Dorothy wrote:

Dear Michael, 

I received news that my brother in GUAM was very ill and, in the hospital, and the doctors were not sure if he was going to make it. Thank goodness our prayers were answered, and he is now home, recuperating.  

So glad I took those carefree days with you in Marina Del Rey when I did. Guess I needed to be fortified for what was ahead. 

Anyway, I still must do my taxes and I have laser surgery on March 20th. 

Gloria wrote and invited me to Alan’s surprise Birthday party on March 22nd but I obviously cannot make it. I will be in bed for 10-days with ice on my face. I know you all will have a great time and I will be wishing I was there...maybe another year. I’ll send ALAN a card, for sure.  

Love, Dorothy

I sent mom a postcard from Las Vegas. Yes, Alan and I escaped the riffraff of L.A. for a Viva Las Vegas weekend. It was a continuation celebration for Alan's Birthday 'month'. I used one of my Olympic Games stamps to stamp her postcard. I love that stamp. The stamp reminds me of the CAESARS LAS VEGAS hotel.

4-4-97, 10:50PM, Friday

Hi Mom,

Just arrived in VEGAS and WOW is it different from the last time I was here. What? A year and a half ago or has it been two years? Alan and I are staying at the NEW YORK NEW YORK HOTEL and it's just fantastic. Of course, we haven't seen much yet but it's all too exciting. You'll love it when you come here again in July. There's so much to see and do. I want to visit the MONTE CARLO. It wasn't here the last time I was here. Oh well, time to do slot machines or horse races. See ya in a couple of weeks.

Love, Mikeeeee

P.S. Next time you come to Vegas you better send me a postcard!

In addition, one of my newfound cousins in Colorado Springs seems very responsive and friendly. I received a surprise letter from her. She had already written before, but this is what I had hoped for. I was hoping for a relative who would not just reply once but keep stringing it along. That's how a relationship grows. She was born MaryAnn Montoya, but she married Richard Henry Gehling, so she goes by MaryAnn Gehling. She wrote a lovely, typewritten letter: 

April 5, 1997 

Dear Michael, 

I’m sorry I haven't written sooner. It’s been busy here. We had a new grandchild arrive right before Christmas. He wasn’t expected until January, and we were quite surprised. He was a wonderful Christmas present. My husband and I now have two grandchildren. We love our new role of grandparents.  

I’ve enjoyed the ancestor charts you sent. What a great job you’ve done! How long have you been doing this? It’s a lot of work. I’m curious how you got interested in it. 

I’ve done some genealogy work and it’s very tedious. Unfortunately, I haven’t done it on my family. It didn’t seem necessary since my sister, Isabelle, has researched it. However, I’ve done oral histories with my Dad, and some with my Mom. Mom hates to talk on tape so I don’t have much of her. 

You’ve asked several questions, so I’ll try to answer them.  

My husband’s name is Richard Henry Gehling. I call him, Honey, even when I’m mad at him. My nieces call him, Uncle Honey. We were married on April 1, 1967. Yes, it was April Fool's Day, and we laugh about that. We have been happily married for thirty years now. 

He’s a tool grinder at Western Forge. They make Craftsman tools for SEARS. Honey loves to run, but he doesn’t get in races anymore. He’s been running for nineteen years now. The longest he ever ran in an ultra-marathon was ninety miles. It killed him that he couldn’t make it to one hundred. 

He’s also a writer and historian. Right now, he’s writing a non-fiction book on the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.  

We have written several historical articles and a book together. We are also public speakers, but we’re trying to get away from that. It takes too much time. 

Right now, I’m trying to break into fiction. It’s a tough field but I’m going to try anyway. I’m writing a young adult romance. I’d like to write a fiction book about the historical Oregon-California trails for teens, too. 

You wanted to know about our children also. Our first child, Robert Lawrence Gehling, was born February 4, 1968. He married Rosemary Marimon on August 7, 1993. Rosamary was born December 26, 1972. He and his wife work at CURRENT, a local mail order company. They also print checks and that’s the department he and his wife work in. He works with computers and Rosemary works in the financial department. 

I’m so glad Robert lives in Colorado Springs. He just graduated from college with a degree in Business last spring. He’s been looking for another job. I sure hope they don’t move. They’re a joy to have around. Robert is interested in medieval times. He belongs to several clubs that dress up like knights and stage battles. I’ve never been to one but I hear they’re fun to watch. Rosemary is our game player. There isn’t one she doesn’t excel in. I’ve only beat her in one or two games since I’ve met her. 

Needless to say, their children are the apple of my eye. Our first grandson, Tanner Rhein Gehling was born May 16, 1995. Our second, Zachary Mateo Gehling was born December 23, 1996. I’ll try to take a picture of Robert and his family and send you a copy. 

Our second child, Staci Ann Gehling, was born Junee 22, 1970. She isn’t married. She’s a counselor for troubled teens and lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. There’s a good University there and she’s studying to get her Masters. Staci hopes to become a psychologist eventually. Even though she hasn’t lived at home for a long time, we still miss her. Our phone bills are unbelievable. She’s always asking us laugh with her wacky sense of humor. I wish she'd move back to Colorado, but she doesn’t like It here.  

Tell me about yourself. You mentioned something about stocks, and that you travel a lot. That sounds interesting. Do you run in marathons too? It takes time to train for them, doesn’t it? 

Have you written to mom’s brothers and sisters? I don’t know if they have much information for you. Uncle Charles is the oldest, and he might.  

You’ve also asked about Cousin Patty. She is Aunt Jean Pate’s daughter. Aunt Jean is mom’s sister. The reason I mentioned Patty is because I thought she could give you information on Aunt Jean who passed away in 1995. Mom was very close to her. She was our favorite Aunt. She lived in Philadelphia with Patty, but for a while she lived in Denver. Here’s Patty’s address:  

Patty Richfield 

3101 Disston Street 

Philadelphia, PA 19149-2019 

I don’t know much about my Grandma Jesusita’s family. I remember hearing your grandmother Mathilde mentioned but I don’t know anything about her. What was she like? In the information you sent, there is the date of her marriage to your grandfather (1935-1937). Are you unsure which year she married? 

Are you interested in stories about the ancestors and family you’re collecting data on? That’s why I find fascinating. When I see a name or photo of someone who had died, I can't help but wonder what they were like. Well, I’m sure I’ve given you more information than you asked for but I’m the chatty one in the family. Send me your email address if you have one. We’re hooking up to it now. I promise to answer your mail sooner. 

Sincerely, 

MaryAnn  

Alan and I went to see THE SAINT, starring Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue. THE SAINT is a thief (named Simon Templar) who is hired. That's not even his real name. In this film his job is to steal the secret process for 'cold fusion' which puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government. I loved it. It's based on an old 1960's TV series that starred Roger Moore (a former James Bond gentleman).

Me, I love surprises. I love it when life pulls a rabbit out of a hat. --Amor Towles, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY