Day Twelve and Thirteen (DCI here we come)

Sara's family! First Cousins Stan and Jane

We were up early on the twelfth, getting ready for the celebration of Evis' life. We packed up the cars, got dressed (it was the first time I had to put on long pants...) and headed to the church. It's a beautiful downtown church that began in 1747. No air conditioning though! Several of the family came as well as several members of the church. When it came time to share Sara spoke with love and grace. It was wonderful to hear so many speak of the ways Evis had touched their lives. I think too often we look at our lives and think we have no way of really making a difference in the world. Well, Evis is living proof that all we have to do is make the effort. God takes care of the rest. I spoke as well (I am a preacher after all) and sang a song. Pastor Sayward Lippincott spoke with great eloquence. She is also pregnant with her first child. I couldn't help remember Mary Travers song, "And When I Die." The refrain says, "And when I die and when I'm dead and gone, there'll be one child born and a world to carry on. There'll be one child born to carry on." It's the circle of life. And life always finds a way.

Afterwards we met in the library of York and had a little reception. It was great to see folks I'd only seen when we had a similar reception there after our wedding in 2007. That afternoon we packed up the car and headed to Wheeling, West Virginia. We're on our way home, finishing our vacation and road trip. The first two hours of the drive it POURED! Clearing up, we made it to Wheeling around 9:30 p.m.

Sara and Janet, her college roommate

Farmer's Market in Cambridge

Day thirteen we got up, had a little breakfast and headed out toward Indianapolis, site of the DCI World Championships. In case you don't know what that is it's the Drum Corps International major event of the year. Sara loves drum corps having been in one in high school as drum major (first female drum major for the school...what else did you expect?!) Along the way we decided to get off the main highway and drive through some small towns. We were driving through Ohio on our way to Indiana. Stopped in a town called Cambridge and found a farmer's market! Took in some sights and bought a couple of things. Stopped at a bakery and got a donut! Oh, and Sara made me stop at a quilting store too. Back on the main highway we made it to Indianapolis and freshened up a little before heading to the DCI Finals. They are being held in the Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team. It's a totally enclosed stadium and it's HUGE! We'll have pictures of the doings tomorrow. Today (day fourteen) we will do some sight seeing in the downtown and maybe go to the Museum of Art there. And then on to the DCI Finals.