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!
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