I am not making this up. I am absolutely not making this up.

We just found out recently that our children* are planning an anniversary party for us at a funeral home on New Years Day. You read that right. A funeral home.

I declare, I don't know where my kids got that crazy sense of humor! They all have it. You see, back 50 years ago, WMM and I were married in a little chapel across the street from the college, and it was just a very convient place for a wedding. So what if it was part of an undertaking establishment? It was a beautiful little white church-like building. The wedding took, and has lasted a long time.

I was only back in that chapel once. That was for my wife's father's funeral about a decade ago. It brought back memories.

Unfortunately the whole place burned down a couple of years ago, so the kids were forced to find another place for the party. Right down the hill from the school where I taught, there is a funeral home built in an historic old building that began life as a livery stable back in horse and buggy days. You can't tell it now, because it has been completely remodeled and is something of a showplace. So that had to be it.

The actual wedding date was Dec. 30, 1955, but the most convenient party date for all involved seemed to be January 1.

I don't think we are going to do anything real fancy. Invitations are going to be via an article in the local paper, and the cake may be homemade. The downside is that we have to have our pictures taken because the ones from the wedding are somewhat out of date.

I hope the kids are planning to give us a trip to Hawaii, but I don't think I am going to count on that.

I expect the second 50 years to be better than the first.
Howard

*Yes, I know they are middle aged, but *I* can still call the children.