We had some sad news this past weekend. My stepfather, Leonard Carmichael, passed away. Leonard was a dear man who was everything a man ought to be--hardworking, adventurous, faithful, strong, kind, smart, sacrificial, funny, and the list goes on and on. He lived in Rochelle, IL, where he headed up a business called Maplehurst. He was a very successful farmer/businessman who was very involved in helping his community and his church. I couldn't have asked for a better stepfather. He showed me nothing but kindness for the 11-12 years that I knew him. We are all going to miss him terribly.
He found out during Thanksgiving that he had a lot of cancer all throughout him, and it did not take long before it took him completely. I am glad he did not have to suffer long. But like I wrote, we are going to miss him. Everyone who knew him came away a better person after spending time with him.
So, I am heading back to Illinois to be with my mom and to attend the funeral. The funeral is Friday. Ben and the kiddos are staying here. It takes a lot to haul our crew across the country. We decided to have Grandma out here instead for Christmas. We will still be able to play at the Great Wolf Lodge, but will have to reschedule for the juvenile center called Echo Glen. I will miss the first performance on Saturday night at Great Wolf, but will join up with everyone for the Sunday and Monday performances. Ben and the boys are still going to perform at Great Wolf on Saturday night--just without the bass.
We have been working on Christmas songs like crazy. The thing is that all those songs about Santa are all the same, "Here Comes Santa," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Up On the Housetop," etc. They all sing about Santa coming to the point that we can't tell when we have already practiced one or the other! Anyway, we'll figure it out. We are looking forward to playing at Great Wolf Lodge and kids make the best audiences!
See you there!
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