Brannon's 40th!

What a morning it was 40 years ago this morning. At 3:31 a.m. our lives were wonderfully revolutionized. But the carpet layers were to show up at 8 a.m. So I had to leave my wife and brand new mother with that beautiful bundle at Floyd Hospital and very-early-thirty drive home and meet a great friend, Cotton (Carl Franklin) to finish the clearing out and cleaning that had been interrupted last evening. The upstairs somehow had to be ready to carpet at 8. When I got back to the hospital I was wiped out and slept on the floor of Sheila’s room and missed several visiting well-wishers! Brannon Ruth Shaw Carlin what a blessing you have been to your father for the FOUR decades since! I love you.

Craw Kids and Shaw Kids

Brannon, Rachel, Sam, Lillian, Sheila, Laurie --- anyone remember the circumstances around theses first three pictures?

I happened upon this old photo of Rachel and Sam Craw with our daughter Brannon. I do not remember the occasion!

This is in the from =yard of our house on Cedar Avenue. L-R: Lisette Lewis, Lillian Shaw, Brannon Shaw, and Rachel Craw 

Rachel and Brannon - ware is this?

Brannon and Rachel at Brannon's wedding reception in Vista, California in 2016.

 

Happy Anniversary!

This is the sixth anniversary of the marriage of our daughter Brannon and our son-in-law John Carlin. It was a lovely day from start to finish. We love our son in law and treasure our excursions to California these last six years. AND we are so blessed by the three granddaughters he and Brannon have given us.

John and his dad built a platform for the ceremony in the beautiful yard of their friends Bobby and Sue. 

This is the path that I would walk with Brannon as the ceremony began.

We didn't know when we met John's parents that they would become dear friends.

John's grandmother, Irmgard Huzel, is fascinating woman with an intriguing life story. 

The yard is all ready.

The harpist will play.

We are so glad that a few folks made it across the country to represent our side of the family. Sue and Charlie Ann are Sheila's first cousins. We lost Charlie Ann only a year or two later.

Three of Brannon's friends from childhood flew in: Carlyn Riechel, Rachel Craw, and Renee Hickman.

The service is about to begin. Julie will preside...

I took this picture of Brannon just before I walked her down the path to "give her away". 

Brannon with one of the little girls she has nannied.

Brannon with her new nephew Mack.

The evening turned chilly.

Granny & GrandShaw Grand Adventure 2022 - 9/22

We parked at the library and took the Riverwalk toward the Town Green.

Once we arrived at the Town Green it wasn't long before the kids were in the water!

But there was always time for a snack break.

And everyone had to have sunscreen.

Clemmie and Ruthie played Queen of the Hill 

Then we noticed Ellen Axson Wilson standing there at her easel by the John Ross Bridge. We decided she needed some encouragement to finish her painting. We couldn't tell that she'd made any progress at all! So Clem went too have a talk with her.

And Ruthie followed.

They encouraged nicely, they cajoled, they scolded. To no avail. 

Over and over they ran to the bridge to talk with Ellen but she just wouldn't listen.

As far as we know that lazy woman is still standing there looking at her canvas, but making no more strokes with her brush.

Finally the girls gave up on her and had a seat on a swing with Granny.

A nice passerby agreed to let Grandshaw have a seat and took a picture of all five of us. (Brannon had left on an errand.)

By the time we got back to Avenue A we were ready to rest, but Suzie was still going strong.