A Gathering of Heagles (continued)

This first weekend in October, 2007, will always remained etched in the family's collective mind as one of the most memorable.

My oldest brother, Bob, along with his wife Dorothy, Fr. John Heagle and Sister Fran Furder (who graciously joined us on her way through to a board of directors meeting in LaCrosse), myself and Kim, Anson and Diana and their talented son Michael, his wife Trisha, and their wonderful daughter, Jenny and her friend Mike, Diana's sister Veralyn and brother, Jay, all gathered for a private hall brunch at the Maple Manor in Eau Claire.

After brunch, Anson and Diana, who are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year, re-newed their wedding promises before Father John.

Then Anson announced that he wanted us all to comment on what has made us happy in our relationships over the years and he started by doing a Letterman-style "Top Ten" list of why he and Diana have loved for 40 years and are looking forard to 40 more.

Anson is the biggest in size of the four Heagle boys and he has a heart to match. His top ten list touched us all very deeply and by the time he was finished there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

After He and Diana and the rest of us discussed our happiness, we all began to discuss rretirement as it is a subject looming in many of the lives at this point.

Surprisingly, teaching is the main occupation in both families, and over and over again the same theme was reiterated. All were looking forward to retirement from teaching but not because of the students. No, it is the politics of dealing with administrations, parents, and the lack of community backing in the importance that education plays in the health of these communities that have almost embittered those of us who teach or taught.

The other fact that came clear was that the younger generation of Heagle/Klines are all involved in either some form of the arts or again, teaching.

Bob has three daughters, his oldest being Karen, who has really established herself as a working artist in New York City. His second daughter, Denise, is a wonderful educator. His third daughter, Mary, was at one time in Seattle, making her own line of jewelry, totally by hand.

Both my sons, Jon and David, are arts oriented. Jonathan is currently working with several different bands in New York City and David is busy writing a musical score for an IMax production, also in New York City.

Anson's son Michael, in additiion to producing independent films, teaches film in Minneapolis. His wife, Trisha does commercial layout art work, also in Minneapolis.

His daughter Jennifer has been involved with interior decoration for quite some time.

It has been a marvelous weekend and it will be continuing today as Bob's daughters are all arriving for the family reunion and we will be driving down to spend the afternoon with them.

Tonight, Father John and I will be feasting on my home made pizza while the Packers feast on the Chicago Bears!


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