For us, 2006 started with the wedding of a cousin. Jimmy and Audrey married January 7 in Topeka, Kansas. It was simple and beautiful.
We celebrated our nephew Daniel's third birthday with him in January at Pizza Street
(he turned 3 on Dec. 29th). Diane's sister Annette and her husband Ken bought a newer, bigger house at the end of February, and setup the baby room for the arrival of Sarah on April 14th.
In Chicago, we went to a Cubs game (Cubs vs. White Sox), the Taste of Chicago, and the King Tut exhibit. Our hotel was across the street from a park so we had a great view of fireworks and also enjoyed the sculptures at the new Millennium Park.
(a free outdoor concert at the grand opening of the Legends shopping center near the Kansas Speedway), Joe Bonamassa at the City Market (another free outdoor concert - he was great but it was 100 degrees in the shade), the KC Symphony's Labor Day concert in the park, as well as several other local concerts in a park. The most exciting concert
was our brother-in-law Steven's band, Blind Mind's Eye. They played at the
Hollywood Room in downtown KC in September.
Besides concerts, we also went to the Shakespeare Fest, Ethnic Fest, the
Louisberg Cider Fest, and an American Royal Horse Show.
We also went to see a play, Proposals, at the New Theater Restaurant
(a nice dinner theater).
It was good to see a lot of the family this year. Diane's cousin Joey spent spring break in KC (he is attending college in St Louis), Rita visited several times, and Gregg's mom and aunt came for several days. Unfortunately, not all of the visits were for vacations.
In June, Diane's grandfather William Ficek, got sick and then passed away at age 93. Relatives from Puerto Rico and Texas were able to come see him before he died. The funeral was in Kansas City, MO and the burial at Lake Viking.
Also, on November 20, Robert Altman died at age 81. He had received an honorary Academy Award in March and released his last movie Prairie Home Companion in June. As a director, he was much respected and admired, although he didn't see much commercial success (except for MASH) or awards. As a relative, we didn't really know him except through his work and the stories of relatives.
We also mourn the passing of Edward Zayas, Rosanna's father, and two local people.
Sister Mildred was Diane's teacher, and Buck O'Neill was a former player and coach with the KC Monarch's Negro League and also very involved in the KC community
Please take the time to visit your older relatives (especially if they are in a nursing home), get their stories, and enjoy their company. Then grab the grandkids, or nieces and nephews - take them to the park or play a game - before they grow up and have lives of their own - you will get to know them and they will keep you young. Everyone is so busy with their work and family that we need to remember to spend time according to our priorities.
