It was quite a week, the third week of March. I really don't know where to start this story because it was one of many thought bearing things that led me to one thing or another.

I guess it is best to start saying thank you to my editor for calling to inform me that Hilda Dobberstein was having a 95th birthday. Evidently, the Billing family has good genes as Hilda’s relative, Virginia Billing, lived to be 104 and Hilda is now 95.

Jim thought it should be brought to the attention of our readers, because she is a beautiful woman with a dynamic personality and she still reads the Star Eagle.

Hilda was living in an assisted living home in Waseca, something I didn't know. Now why don't I keep track of where people are? 

I went to visit with her — about three hours worth. I came away feeling so rewarded for even knowing her. She made my day, but the one thing that kept coming back to me was when she said she often sat back and read "her book" about thoughts of various things that occurred in her life.

I may never write it in words, but you and I and anyone can read "their book" at any time, about events — both good and bad — that make us who we are. Get the picture?

O.K. So that is No. 1.

I went to a funeral of a friend and my family’s old neighbor. Funeral? I wasn't happy to see him pass away, but I was sure glad he lived.

No one wants to lose a friend, but this funeral was truly a celebration of someone’s life. It may sound offensive to some, but I remember the lady who would go to a funeral and would come away saying it was a good day because she had seen so many people she hadn't seen in a long time. I am inclined to agree. 

Going to LeSueur River’s little church was like a homecoming. Granted, there were a lot of people I knew who were no longer there, but oh, there were so many I did see.

Now why do we have to wait for a funeral or a wedding to renew old friendships? Surely if we can find the time to go to an important event we could, and should, squeeze in the time to see them from time to time.

I have another thought in regard to this friend Harold Jacobson. Harold was brought up in the Lutheran Church. Sunday was set aside to go to church. You shared precious moments with friends and neighbors when you were there and you thanked God for being that blessing for you. 

Family members kidded they would patiently wait knowing Harold would likely be the last one to leave the church on Sunday morning or any church event. They also remember his enthusiastic personality, always friendly, reaching out to everyone, young and old, friend or stranger.

Another thought comes to mind. Why do we so often shy away from strangers? Is it because "we don't know them?" 

There was something Pastor Brian Gegel said at Harold’s funeral in regards to how he valued how Harold had extended his welcome to him when he first came to this community.

Brought up in the church, Harold stayed with the church through attendance and participation. As someone said, "I am sure he is in Heaven singing with his brothers while his sister plays the piano accompaniment." We need more people like Harold who make people feel welcome and needed and who are not afraid to stand up for their religion. God and family were foremost in his life.

And yet, another thought: kids singing. Carrying out a Jacobson family tradition, his great grandchildren cried before and after the service because they were sad, but when they had something to do — sing — they were all serious about what they wanted to do for their great grandpa. I could see their devotion to God and the kids carrying on a family tradition, church and sharing their talents.

Speaking of children, I went to see my nephew’s little daughter, Ava, ice skate. She did the things she was supposed to, but then her personality broke through and she skated "free," mimicking the older students, she watched in earnest. 

She waved at the crowd. She bowed and taking her skirt in hand, curtsied like she was entertaining the queen.

It reminded me of her grandma, Kaye, and I may have told this story before of our family custom on the last day of school before Christmas vacation. She had little gifts for others, but as she came down the hall, there was Ernie, the custodian. She had no more presents to give, but she had a nickel in her jacket for chocolate milk. She gave him that nickel. 

The story doesn't end there because though Ernie’s first impulse was to say, "No, keep your money" he hesitated, and then took this gift she gave him so he wouldn't disappoint her. Her gift was of value to both of them.

Thoughts: kindness is accepting when something is offered to us.

Those were just some of the good things I thought of that happened this week. Thoughts that I read in "my book" that I might not have realized if I hadn't spent that afternoon with Hilda Dobberstein. She gave me a priceless gift that I have now passed on to you.

Take time to think about the meaningful things that we experience every day and thank God for his generosity.

Thanks Jim, thanks Hilda and thank you friends and neighbors. 

Also something Hilda said:

Remember you don't grow old, you grow elderly, and we are only as old as we feel.

 Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, April 4th: Daryl Paulsen, Jena Richards Thompson, Erik Smith, Rachael Nicole Roades, Erin Elaine Peterson, Nathan Spande, Theresa Kasper, Danny Larson, Don Larson, Ann Michelle Larson, Diane & Dave Broskoff.

• Friday, April 5th: LaVada Jensen, Colette Bauers, Samuel Thompson, Alyssa Haried, Brian Schultz, Duane Nelson, Mike Johnson, Gary & Sue Hunnicutt, Dick & Judy Wacholz, Dale & Nancy Kelly.

• Saturday, April 6th: Skip Cromwell, Spencer Kubat, Eric Crabtree, Duane Lembke, Dean Westrum, Andrew Haried, Paul Underland, Laurie Wayne, Paul Highum, Chris Phillips Carlson.

• Sunday, April 7th: Janye Villarreal, Janice Jensen Skovera, Lou Hanson-Vu, Katie Lembke, Michael & Kari Ingvaldson, Gary & Sonya Peterson.

• Monday, April 8th: Sarah Collins, Ivy Obermoller, Dick Tracy, Nick Vreeman, Tim Stollard, Mark Hemingway, Sherri Carlson, Karen O'Byrne, Bob Donovan, David Pitcock, Alice Grosland, Dale & Vivian Dulas, Paul & Karissa Dolan.

• Tuesday, April 9th: Becky Larson, Justin Tufte, June Lageson, Abby Paige Christopherson, Raianna Thomas, Jim Kaplan, Kiersten Knudson, Mike Nechanicky, Larry Sarver, Clarice McGrath, Tiffany Chrz, Joe & Mandy Moon.

• Wednesday, April 10th: Kimberly Luhring, Sara Bergerson, Sarah Skroch, Sophia Rose Christensen, Luke David Olson, Daniel Gould, Liz Reichl, Harold Pitcock, Arlen & Coleen Brekke, Lawrence & Dorothy Sprankle.

• Thursday, April 11th: Barb Marcus, Ruth Benson, Lori Dobberstein Sodeman, Jessica Dobberstein, Jacob Alan Reynolds, Dan Nelson, Darrin Thostenson, Theresa Bartsch, James Thompson.

• Friday, April 12th: Tiegen Kay Richards, her 6th; Rory Ann Bickler, Guy Cromwell, Charise Oland, Cheryl Thompson, Deb Wilking, Allen & Betty Brandt, Roger & Reta Draayer.

It is your special day. Take a break and celebrate!

Surprise somebody. Call someone. Send a card and make their day. Little things mean a lot.