A birthday and remembering Mark Van Halsema

Yesterday was Susan's birthday.

We spent a quiet day with the birthday girl enjoying her combat fitness class at MVP while I did my workout. After her class Susan walked home from the gym (it's only about 2.5 miles) while I headed out to the Asian market in Kentwood to pick up a few staples (Panko, scallions, garlic, rice wine, frozen Edamame and soy sauce mainly).

That evening we joined about dozen or so of Susan's cousins at Beer City Bread for dinner in memory of Susan's cousin Mark Van Halsema. He died August 3, 2005, and his wife, daughter and a couple of sisters were in town to visit the grave and to recall his life and spirit.

It was a short drive down the East Beltline to the restaurant. The weather was nice, the food was good (I had a crispy chicken sandwich), the beer cold (Perrin Black for me), and the company lively and in wonderful spirits. Stories about Mark flowed for much of the evening bringing about lots of chuckles as well as a few tears.

cousins Mark Lindholm and his wife Nancy Tess (Van Halsema) on the left

the birthday girl

Front: Me, Susie, Donna Kallemyn, Brenda Friedman, Tess, Jane DeKorne, Brianna (Kate's friend), Helen Sterk; back row Mark Lindholm, Clark Van Halsema, Dale DeKorne, daughter Kate, Scott and Jennifer Galloway

cousins Brenda Friedman and Dale Dekorne with Mark Lindholm in back

Mark's wife Helen Sterk with cousins Scott and Jennifer Galloway

cousins Dale and Susie

Comments

Anonymous said…

Thanks, Steve, for coming along with Susan. I really enjoyed talking with you two--it might've been the first time of any length and I certainly hope it's not the last time. So glad I'm on your blog! You and Susan are interesting people!

9:19 AM

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