Empty Nesters Lisa & Bob

Name:
Location: Bridgeport, West Virginia, United States

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Mother's Journey

This is dedicated to my mother, Matilda Dorais 1922- 1999





The young mother set her foot on the path of life. 'IsThis the long way?' she asked. And the guide said: 'Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it... but the end will be better than the beginning.'

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,'Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.'

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, 'Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.' And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,' A little patience and we are there.'So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, 'This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I 've given them strength.'

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: 'Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. ' And the children looked and saw above the clouds An everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, 'This is the best day of all
And the days went on, and the weeks and the months an the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her , For she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And Mother said, 'I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end Is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.'

And the children said, 'You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.'And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: 'We cannot see her but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She Is a living presence.......'

Your Mother is always with you... She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space... Not even death!

Friday, October 19, 2007

AUTUMN

Autumn has always been one of Lisa's favorite seasons for outside decorating. She loves Christmas decorating , but those of you who know us, know that is Bob's job. Here are some pictures of Autumn at our home. Our flag pole.


Our lamp post decorated for the season .Notice the dark pumpkin, it came from the woods behind the house , we had thrown out pumpkins last year and this one grew from that, but never turned green
Scarecrow resting on the rocker

Another scarecrow, the cat is real , Tillie





Nature's decoration

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Heather's Wedding




July 7, 2007 Heather's wedding day. Lake Monroe, Bloomington , IL. She dreamed about this day since she was a little girl. Heather always wanted an outside wedding and she got what she wanted !




Lake Monroe Saturday morning. The day dawned sunny and bright, no rain in site, our prayers were answered.







Lisa's best friend and Heather's Godmother Toni, came to join the festivities.









Lisa and Heather waiting for the wedding to begin















Matt was also waiting for the wedding to begin.






Audrey didn't seem to mind waiting she had her bottle and someone (actually many) to hold her












Almost a pretty as her Mommy. Audrey with her first date, Sam !












Here comes the groom with his parents .






Here comes the bride with her parents.
















Saying "I do"

















Heather's brother Nicholas and his wife Rebecca . We were so happy they were able to make it !








Our good friends Debbie and David Marty came from Texas.















Bob's sister Cheryl , and her husband Ed came from Mass.






This is Lou and Jean we were honored that they flew in from NY . I beleive they are the oldest relatives on Lisa's side of the family.




Leda , Victor and Andrew made it also ! In Heather's words, it was wonderful to have everyone I cared about at the wedding .








Cutting the cake. The topper was the one that was used on our wedding cake many years ago.








And they live happily ever after.



Saturday, July 28, 2007

Audrey July 2007

Before the big day (wedding) we spent a few days enjoying our Granddaughter Audrey Marie Here she is cuddling with her Grandpa, who also has to give equal time to Bling!
Nonnie just had to buy these sunglasses , Audrey thinks they should go in her mouth. But she looks like such a "STAR" in them. Don't you agree ?


Nonnie found this pool on sale and of course Audrey had to have it ! She loves playing in it , although sometimes she thinks that she should be able to stand in it !
















Saturday, June 16, 2007

Audrey spends the day with Nonnie & Grandpa

Audrey and her Mommy flew into Pittsburgh PA on June 2 for Mommy's bridal shower weekend. Heather did not take any pictures of Audrey's first plane ride ( I am wondering if this is my daughter! ) After droping Heather off in Morgantown for her day with her bridesmaids we took Audrey home with us for a day of fun, sun and swimming!



Here is Audrey in her "saucer" eating and Cocoa can't wait for her to drop her food!



Here she is in the pool with Grandpa
Uncle Nick paid a surprise visit !


















































Sunday, April 29, 2007

Audrey's first visit to West Virginia

This dress was purchased in Sicily before Audrey was born . It will be a family heirloom for future Wissler Grandchildren to wear.
Bob Heather Audrey and Matt being "porch monkies"

Audrey had her first road trip on the night of April 20 (into the 22) , her parents thought it best to travel at night so she would sleep. She arrived at Nonnie & Grandpa's home around 2:00 AM and went right back to sleep. Audrey took this long trip to be baptized at her Mom's home church.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Easter with Audrey

We took a trip to Indiana to spend Audrey's first Easter with her , although the weather felt more like Thanksgiving (cold and snow flurries,) the Easter bunny did visit, he didn't bring Audrey any candy, but she got lots of new clothes and some toys to play with. Nonnie and Grandpa took Audrey to the mall for a visit with the Easter bunny, she really could have cared less about the entire ordeal ! But Nonnie had to get this picture taken !
Matt , Audrey and Heather Easter morning. What a beautiful family
Nonnie, Audrey, Grandpa and our grand dog Bling
I think Audrey has a shoe fetish, do you think she got that from her Mom?

They're home !

Nick and Becca returned to the states March 7 during a spring snow storm, although it was a long trip home it was well worth the wait! Here is Bob , Nick and Heather with the 1st course of the dinner they made for us, pasta Sicilian style.
Second course was Sicilian lamb , it tasted a good as it looks!
No posting would be complete without a picture of our grand dog Steve Wissler!
This is my favorite picture of Nicholas and me !

They are now in Mississippi getting acclimated to a new city and waiting for their furniture to arrive. And we are so happy to have all our children living on the same continent, at least for a little while .