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Tue Apr 16 08:20 EDT 1996
April 16

Some of you remember April 16 as tax day, or as the day after the
Marathon, and I even heard on the radio this morning that today is
Holocaust Rememberance Day in Israel.

I remember April 16 as the date on which my grandfather Forrest Johnson
died. Now, that was 26 years ago; I was 10.  Time passes and memory fades,
and most of my memories are comprised of stories.  I don't know his
birthday, which is why I find it strange to remember his death day.
And I probably remember more about his wife, Louella, who died
when I was 7.   Grandma called him by his middle name, Malden.
In Massachusetts, there is a town pronouced "maul-din" but Gma
pronouced it "mal-den" (like "Allen"). He used to make a strange
humming noise as we drove along in his Buick (?) that had plastic
on the upholstery. (We could take the key out while he was driving,
and the engine would still run.)  The Johnson's would spoil us boys
with soda pop.  (The Metcalfes in Akron often had PDQ chocolate milk
and sometimes the 7up or Hires Root Beer.)

I had an inkling of in-law jealousy.  It is difficult to imagine one's
parents being young parents like we are today, bouncing between homes
on our brief visits to Ohio.  The competition may have been a passing
impression of a child, though. (Who knows, it may have been the opposite:
"you take them today!") Whatever went on, I choose to intentionally
remember the perfume, the soda pop, the popsicles, the nick-nacks, the
push mower, Water Works park, 945 Aberdeen and 2434 23rd Streets, the
Lutheran church with the soda machine, and grandma's minks.  And though
it make no sense whatsoever, I am sorry for having kicked Grandpa in his
sleep (and in my sleep).

I am grateful that God has a selective memory.  He has chosen to forget
many of the times that I haven't been "perfume and popsicles."  He
loves me for who I am and who I am to become.  I pray that God will
grant us the power of selective memory, too.

Mark
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