Reflections On A Long And Satisfying Life No. 64: Ebenezer Thankoffering (Part III): Impact On Family

In my previous BLOGS I have commented upon my work on the staff for the EBENEZER Thankoffering. This BLOG will reflect upon how assuming that position affected our family. As indicated in Part I of this series we suddenly found ourselves resettling in the Chicago area and specifically on Iowa Street in the suburb of Maywood.

We found a very supportive community of colleagues and friends. A woman named Mable Warneke whom we had first met when she was a tourist visiting us in Hong Kong was always there. She was aware of Jane’s limitations because of her health. Mrs. Warnke brought us many household appliances. She frequently brought food. She helped identify sources for medical prescriptions, she came to the house and did most of the clothes ironing which was still required in those says. Whatever was needed she provided.

The wives of faculty member of Concordia Teachers College-River Forest (now Concordia University Chicago) took turns baby-sitting when Jane had medical appointments, introduced us to the best places for shopping, provided items for our house to replace those left behind in Hong Kong. The pastors and teachers of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Melrose Park just did whatever was needed, especially also helping our kids move from a British to an American school system.

Of course there were challenges, many of them similar to what other people face and still face. My duties took me away from home a great deal, often by plane. This became painfully clear one day when Jane pointed out an airplane that was overhead. Son Tim who was about 5 years of age at the time said, “I hate airplanes!” Jane replied, “You don’t like airplanes?” Tim’s response, “I don’t like airplanes at all. They always take my Father away from me.”

We chose to add another challenge. Three of our kids went to Texas to spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Kieschnick. Just before returning we got a long distance phone call with an urgent plea, “We have just found the most wonderful, the cutest, the most loving little dog in the world. Can we bring him home? Please, Please!” We explained it would be hard to get the dog on the plane. There was no yard or fence where we lived etc. etc. Two day later Tex was happily rampaging through our house. Unfortunately he also liked to rampage in the neighborhood and slipped out any moment a door was left often. It became a ritual. The phone call to Jane” Mrs. Kieschnick, your dog is again, here at school.”  I had the car at the office so ailing Jane walked that three-quarters miles to the school, rain or shine, with toddler John in a stroller, to pick up “that cute little MONSTER”.

Yet, all in all, our days in the Chicago area were good days. Later our first grandchild was born there to daughter Peggy. And son David lived happily in Chicago for some 20 years. Chicago is still my kind of town!