Remember this? We do have fun when we get together. I can't wait for the upcoming reunion.

Where and when did all this happen?

forgot one...

Gee, thanks Tom. From these pics it looks like Larry and Shannon worked real hard... hahaha ;o) -Lu

I'm checking out this blog thing. I think I have placed some more pictures from our work day at Mom and Dads.

tom

Honor your Mother and your Father...

Donna and I had a discussion about going up to Magalia and doing a work day for Ted and Marie, and decided that the Saturday before Mother's Day would work out well. We decided that while she, the girls and I were cleaning up in the house, Larry and Tom would do the outside chores... the deck being their foremost task.

I would like to call to your attention that your parents (grandparents) are not young anymore. They find it difficult to do the everyday chores we all do all the time and don't give a thought to; for example washing windows, or floors, dusting, scrubbing the tub or the shower, raking the leaves away from the house (per the Fire Marshal). We have a limited time to care for these precious people, and we are falling down on the job.

Don't you think it would be a good thing to make their final years (and I hope they have many more to be with us) comfortable?

I would like to open a conversation about finding a way for each of us to contribute to honoring our parents by caring for them. How about finding a way for each family within a near enough radius working at the house on a rotating basis? Maybe those too far away to come themselves contributing by putting in enough money to hire a maid service (like Merry Maids (http://www.merrymaids.com/services/) or something) twice a month... What are your thoughts? -Lucy

"The Trip" email history

I agree with Jubal that going to Israel would be something they would absolutely love. The problem once again is the physical demands. Right now Dad cannot walk far without having to lie down and rest. He even has trouble driving too far. He has to stop and rest or Mom takes over. He’s getting better all the time, so maybe in a year he’d be stronger and ready to go. That’s why a money box would be so good. It would give them the opportunity to go where they feel they can go and at the time they feel best. We could perhaps decorate the money box with scenes from both the Holy Land and Hawaii.

I know from talking to them that they would prefer going to the Holy Land with a Christian group, and there are usually various groups going all the time. So I believe they could find a group that would be fun for them to participate with. Once again, the timing will be dependent on Dad’s health and ability to walk for any length of time.

Tom, Larry, Lucy, Adah and Shannon gave Mom and Dad the most wonderful Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) gifts when they came over and cleaned their yard and house and fixed their front porch! Thank you so much for doing that!!! I can’t tell you how much they loved it…they couldn’t stop talking about it. You all are the best!!! Thank you for thinking of such a perfect thing to do for them!

One more thing: I get a kick out of the emails going back and forth stating that Mom and Dad need help to do something where they have fun. I guess you don’t get to see them enough to know that they have fun all the time. They love all the things they are doing. They love traveling. They love seeing their kids and grandkids. They love doing ministry. In fact they would probably give up and die if they didn’t have something to do they felt was worthwhile. They plan fun trips all the time, usually short ones to see one of their kids and grandkids, but they love doing it. They went on the Alaska cruise and took some friends and loved it. After returning from that, Mom immediately began talking about the family reunion and after a whole lot of discussion with everyone, came up with Tahoe. This is their current “fun” thing. Thank you Donna for being such a wonderful help in getting this going and finding the perfect spot!

Now we’re talking about going to Margie’s for the 4^th of July I drive and they enjoy it because they can relax. Mom doesn’t relax any more when Dad is driving long distances. He gets tired and she’s afraid he’ll fall asleep. In fact she brings munchies for him and prods him awake occasionally. I take Josiah with us and he gets to play with Alex. In fact that’s all he’s been talking about lately. He wants to see Alex and the “Big Water” as he calls the ocean.

The bottom line is that they do have fun…their kind of fun (and as I get older, it’s becoming my kind of fun too!) (((laughing))) But definitely keep up the idea of a money box and a vacation trip. They would love it! It is definitely in line with their fun.

They love each and every one of you -- their kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids! They are always proudly talking about each one. And they both are so excited about the family reunion. And so am I. I can’t wait to see everyone and get to talk to each of you. I love you all and pray for you all the time!

Have a very blessed week! -J Ruth

As for the money box.........I still like the idea of having them choose
where they want to go for their travel.

Another subject. I loved it at Dad's birthday when Lucy sang her song to dad. I think it would be really nice if we could have some music at this get together. Jenny - could you play a song for mom and dad? Tom - could you play some music for mom and dad? How about Lucy? You are all so very talented.

I know I would really love to hear some of your play some music there at our get together .......and I know mom would just love it so very much ! !

Donna - when you go to check out the place in Tahoe, can you see if they have a piano there? Be nice if they had a piano there.

Anyway.......just thought I'd ask .............be so nice to have somebody do a song or play some music for mom and dad.

Dorothy Jean

Maybe a couple ideas might be worth forwarding...

I do think it's a bit sad that they may not come to the holy land...
the tomb, Garden of Gethsemane, Temple Mount, Galilee... if you think about it; Ted served in the military and knew guys who may be at that memorial in Hawaii; he did that for four years? He has been working for Christian causes every day for ...what, fifty...more? It just seems that they really ought to be able to see the holy land. Being here, you almost take it for granted but for somebody to work their whole life and never see the place it began...

On the other hand, I have to admit Israel is physically demanding. (Though there are tours of seniors here; quite a few come all the time, especially the Jewish groups... which I assume are more expensive). And if the price is out of the range, that may be decisive.

I may suggest that the money box may be more generous than you know right now; and maybe you guys can research a couple packages and then offer them as options depending on what it comes out to in the end. (Hawaii, and holy-land). I assume you wont be able to make concrete reservations on anything anyway until you know that they want to do it and you have the money box together, etc...

-Jubal

Ok, my three cents worth:

Basically I agree with all of you.

The end.

No, really, I was born a Biggs, I can't leave it at that -

.... I agree with Heather and Donna that it would be good to do something to sort of nudge them in the direction of taking a trip since knowing them they would just want to be "practical" with it instead of doing something fun. I also like Dorothy's idea of the money box and us being able to put cash or
checks into it. So the combining of these two ideas, as Ruth suggested, I also agree with - giving them the cash and then also giving them the travel info and booking dates and such so they can choose when and where to go.

I LOVE the Hawaii idea, have been in favor of that for years - ever since Dad was so specific with me about visiting the WWII Memorial there and looking up some names of some guys he knew. So though he may not be as enthusiastic sounding as Mom, I would bet money he'd really enjoy that trip
and it would be meaningful to him. It looks a bit different than the last
time he was there 60 years ago.

Thanks for the info on the Holy Land tours, Donna, I figured it was
something like that. It's the whole "if it sounds too good to be true" rule again. And after looking at it again, I noticed a LOT of hotel changes, which I don't think they'd care for very much. Another reason to go with the cruise in Hawaii idea. And, being on this side of the world, I know you can get much better deals for it.

So there you go. Just let me know where to send (or insert in what box) the check.

Thanks Margie for getting this going! I really hope we can do the Hawaii thing this time! (-Jeanette Elaine Dubois)

What about a gift card to a cruise place/travel agency and PLUS the money box thing that people can put cash into. I like the idea of giving them the flexibility to do what they want with it, but I also want to make sure they take that much deserved trip. Sometimes we have to push them to just enjoy life...

~Heather

The idea of a money box is good to me. I was talking with them just last week and someone asked if they had been to Hawaii. They said no, but it was a place they wanted to go (or at least Mom said that…but knowing Dad he would enjoy it too).

The money box is also good because if either of them does take a turn for the worst and can’t go on a trip, they could do something else special with it…like rebuild their front porch which they’ve wanted to do for the longest time.

J Ruth

May 11, 2007:

I like the idea of giving mom and dad a POT OF MONEY in a "MONEY BOX".
This way they can spend it any way they would like to..

Someone could make a cute "MONEY BOX" and decorate it and ........then when
we each arrive at the party in July, we can each put our individual money
into the pot (either in a check form or cash form). Even the kids
could contribute what money they wanted to into the box.

We would keep the "MONEY BOX" a secret from mom and dad until all of us had
put our money into it and then we could all present the "MONEY BOX" to mom
and dad together.............

What do you think...............????


Dorothy Jean

May 11, 2007:

Margie and Jeannette,

Just for the record, I checked out Pilgrim Tours (they have a good reputation). My opinion on two things (Tom is in agreement with me): I still think mom and dad would have a very difficult time getting around physically and be tired on a trip like this. But even if they decided they could do it, I don’t think the family can come up with the money needed.

Don’t be misled by the “attention getter” prices. That is the starting price and it builds from there. To send mom and dad on this trip would be over $5000. I believe the price you are seeing Jeanette, is the teaser/starting price of ($1700?) for land only prices. When you get to the “real” booking part, you have to add all the extras, airfare (the price quoted on their website is from east coast [$2700ea] so airfare from west coast has to be added), taxes, ground transfers, etc. Even at the cheapest part of the year (November) it is $5600 without the added airfare from west coast to east coast plus taxes. Sorry to disappoint you.

We like the idea of letting them choose, but our fear is that if we just give them the “real” money they will get practical and spend it on something they need instead of the trip (like the idea of a fake check). We are on the same page as to presenting the gift, though. In fact, Tom and I have discussed it and had ideas to present once it was finally decided, based mostly on the idea of a Hawaiian Cruise Theme. I did a version of what Jeannette suggested a couple of years back as a gift to someone and Tom really liked it, so we started talking about it for the presentation of this family gift. We can talk about that later once everything else is decided. -dlb

May 11, 2007:

I don't think Donna sent this to everyone, so I wanted you to all be in on the discussion. Be sure to e-mail everyone when you add in your two cents so that we all know what's going on.

May 11, 2007:

Jeanette had an idea, which I thought I would forward to all of you. I know there has been a lot of concern about whether they would be able to make a trip like this health-wise if it involves a lot of walking, so I thought it might be best if we just present them with a pledged package of money (we could contribute to a common pot from now until next November or something) with the idea that they could use it for a trip of their choice, and then let them plan it with Donna for their 60th anniversary somewhere around June of '08. That way we have done something for them now on the reunion date, and also for the upcoming anniversary. We could do some kind of fancy fun box with silly travel/touristy stuff in it and a big fake check for the amount we are pledging. If we already have all the funds together, it could be a real check. Anyway, what about just letting them decide? - Margie

---

From: "Jeanette Elaine Dubois" <escapefilms@hotmail.com>
To: margierouge@hotmail.com
Subject: Check out this tour for Mom and Dad
Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 20:41:47 -0700
>It's right in the price range we are hoping to raise (including air
>fare, travel to and from). It includes both a cruise as well as
>seeing both Greece and the Holy Land. It's called "Steps of John
>and Paul" tour and is provided by a Christian company, with
>discounts for Pastors and church groups.
>
>http://www.pilgrimtours.com/
>
>Looking at it, it seems like it might be just up their alley. And
>if we book it for either the end of this year (November) or early
>next year (in Spring) there is a discount for that as well.
>
>Anyway, pass it on to Donna and see what she thinks (if it's legit
>and safe). Just an idea.
>
>Jeff pointed out that with only three sisters and one grandchild
>we're already halfway to the goal, so if the other kids and
>grandkids pitch in even a little, we really ought to be able to make
>it!
>
>
>
>jeanette elaine dubois

May 4, 2007:
I am attaching a document with pledges for money for the proposed trip for Mom & Dad. How, what, when, & where can be determined later, but first we need to know just how much we have to work with. I have added the pledges I have received so far. Please add your info to the list and return it via e-mail. I don't have an e-mail for Elsie, so Ruth, could you pass this on to her? You grandkids can add your names and amounts if you are able to contribute. Don't feel pressured, but I do want to get this together if we can! – Margie

April 30, 2007:
Ruth also mentioned their health as an issue for travel, so I think you're right. I figure they won't take their trip until next year no matter what, but that we could start getting together funds. We already have over $2000 pledged (Dorothy, Heather, Ruth, Jeanette, me), so you won't have to feel pressured to give much. We could let them know about our plan and they could plan the trip, then collect the money during the following months so we could send them. If it's something they want to do perhaps they'll add in some of their own as well. Just thinking ....

April 27, 2007:
Biggs Reunion Attendees: I have been talking with Jeanette and Donna about doing a trip for Grandma & Grandpa. Donna even has a relative in Spain who would allow free use of a house they have there if we can do the air fare (Mom & Dad would probably do the food themselves)! Don't feel pressured, but if anyone wants to contribute, please contact Donna and let her know how much you would be able to give. She'll take the final count and see what types of trips would be available for that amount. I'm hoping to get about $3000 together. With 7 children and a dozen grown grandchildren, I figure we should be able to get somewhere near that amount! I'm willing to pledge $500 towards the pot. Send your pledges soon so we can figure out what we have. - Margie

April 30, 2007:
I talked with Donna about this trip yesterday and we concluded that they're both too fragile for a trip like this right now. We also decided between us that it would be better to wait until next year's anniversary, which is also a big one and will give them time to get over the reunion and hopefully regain some of their strength after illness this year. It hasn't been an easy this year for them and the stress of a trip, even one they always wanted to do, could quickly become a nightmare.

Also, the reunion is draining for my family. We have to get Jubal back from Israel (round trip will cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500) and adding another "donation" besides what we plan for the reunion is just not feasible. I wish it were, I'd love to send them to Israel, or even Hawaii (I know your mother always wanted to visit there). I'm working with the girls right now trying to get them published and it isn't bringing in any income yet, so we're strapped.

Of course we'll do whatever we can. Let me know what everyone decides. –Lucy

Tuesday, April 10, 2007:
Donna - Jeanette & I have been talking about trying to send Mom & Dad on a trip for their upcoming anniversary/reunion. We were thinking perhaps a tour of Israel/Palestine (perhaps through some religious college/organization: Biola, Moody, etc) Could you research the possibilities & let us know the cost? We will let everyone else know & see how much we could get everyone to pitch in so they could go. Thanks! - margie