November 1, 2009

• Some people just don’t get out enough.

  But a gang of us got out on Friday night to attend Hope Enterprises Annual Dinner, where staff, clients and volunteers are recognized for their contribution to the success of this wonderful organization.  Hope Enterprises consists of group homes, a sheltered workshop, training programs, and a host of other things I can’t remember, all for those with varying degrees of mental retardation and brain injuries and disorders.  Our Ron is a client, and this year, Hazel was recognized as Caregiver of the Year – of course we’d be there “en masse,” to cheer her on!

  First, we found our table:

   

  It was a round table, meant for 8 people, but we squeezed 9 in, including me with my wheelchair.  This year the event was held at Lycoming College, in one of their gyms.  It’s been held for several years at the Scottish Rite Auditorium’s dining room, and let me tell you, there was no comparison!    This was a huge improvement over their lack of a sound system and cramped quarters, not to mention, a warren of tiny hallways leading to the elevator, which was a pain with my wheelchair, I can tell you.  But at the college – easy peasy!  Straight in, all the way.  And we parked about 100 ft from the door, opposed to downtown at the Scottish Rite – we always got dropped off and the poor driver (usually Haz) had to go and find a parking places, sometimes a couple of blocks away, and then walk back.  Not so bad at the start, but not fun in full dark on an October evening. 

  So, we found our table and got some appetizers – a wonderful array of stuff that put us all in hog heaven.    Duke, Darla, Kim, Hazel, Robin, Stacy, Ron, Cathy and I were all around the table, sharing and pilfering from one another’s plates, having a great time.  This part of the evening was probably longer than it needed to be – some of us ate a LOT – more than necessary before a full dinner to come!

  Then there were introductions and grace and three songs by the choir and finally, the food.  Except our table got skipped somehow so we were the last served.  It was ok.  We bring our own fun and were having a great time among ourselves. We had steak and chicken, with steamed veggies and broasted potatoes, which was all preceded by fruit cup – I guess I should have taken a photo of the plates before we attacked them, but sorry.  Didn’t happen! 

  Here are a few shots of the gang around the table:

  

  Not sure why they look so solemn.  Darla’s sampling the fruit cup.  Duke & Kim look to be getting bad news.  I don’t recall any, so I guess it’s just a rare un-giggling moment!

  

  Haz & Stace. 

  Ron & Darla – note his flower, which signifies he’s part of the Voices of Hope – Hope Enterprises own choir.  More on that later!

  

  Ron had his photo taken with a variety of females – that’s kind of his thing!

  

  I don’t recall this lady’s name, but she was ever so sweet. 

  And this is our Kelly:

  

  These next photos are kind of cute, Duke & Haz both had occasion to talk on the phone during the dinner!

  

  

  I think they were both talking with sons – Duke with Erik & Hazel with Tim.  I may be wrong about Hazel’s…

  Robin and Stacy were on the ball and brought Hazel some flowers:

  

  Stacy got the big splashy bunch of flowers, while Robin got a tasteful, foil-wrapped single bloom.   

  After dinner came the awards, which seem to go on forever.  There are a lot of people involved, and various partnerships with businesses, and such – many recognitions to be made.  Finally, it was time for Hazel’s award.  The presenter made a lot of how Ron’s life changed when he came to live with Hazel – Helen’s house was much quieter, with only Ron & Helen and Merle.  And he didn’t get involved with Hope until after Helen’s death.  So he went from a semi-recluse to a guy who goes to work every day, is very involved with Special Olympics and travels and goes out to eat – favorite of all is going out to eat!  She talked about how talkative and lively he is, and as if to prove it, Ron went up with Hazel to get her award, charging up the ramp and jumping – literally! – up to the podium to say into the mic, “Hazel Kriner…this award…and HERE SHE IS!”  It was so cute! 

  Hazel was gracious and humble and gave God the glory, of course. 

  

  Sorry the photos are less than great quality – not sure why that is.  I checked all the settings and they should have been good, but maybe my hand shook.  Everyone at our table had insane giggles at one time or another or several times…poor Stacy had one of THOSE times – cabin fever let loose, I guess, after a week in with a sick little girl.  She started giggling early on in the award presentations and never stopped.  Well, she TRIED to stop, but then someone would make a noise or a cough and it would set her off again. 

  The evening concluded with the Voices of Hope:

  Again, the quality is a bit off – I think I was just too far away.  But you can see how much they’re enjoying themselves.  And we all enjoyed them!

  Great evening – one of the best we’ve had in a long, long time.  And for a family who enjoys themselves together as much as we do, that’s saying a lot!  The Kriner siblings had such a great time, they all went out and had a drink together afterward.  I hear they had a lot of fun then, too.

  On a more serious note, when I got home that evening, Jason called from the emergency room to tell us that he was there with Tiana, who was being scheduled for gall bladder surgery, which ended up being yesterday morning. She came through well, but it was a rough week for her, leading up to it, poor sweetie. I just spoke with her on the phone and she’s happy with the morphine pump.    She says we did a great job raising Jason to be a supportive husband – he’s wonderful! But we knew that.

  Faron’s laid flat today with what I’m afraid is the flu – hacking cough, awful headache and just wants to be left alone.  Normally, when he’s got a complaint, he likes to involve me, if you wives know what I mean.  But today, he’s just on the sofa, hiding out from the world.  He was in bed until 8 am – unheard of for him.  Then he moved to the recliner for an hour or so, and then he lay on the floor for some reason, and finally the sofa – like Goldilocks, he found his “just right” spot and I’ve only heard a cough now and again to prove he’s still alive.  Not sure what will happen about work tomorrow, but your prayers for both of our sickies would be great appreciated!

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  • 12:16 pm
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