Snapshots of a Life Well Lived

We got home last Wednesday and are slowly getting back into the swing of things. Lots of missed appointments, over-due chores, boxes to unload, photos to copy and send to relatives...a WOW this Friday I need to make dessert for, and Easter brunch here to plan and prepare....until I can sit down and string a sentence together, here are a few photos of Be that we used at the reception...


The Johnston family. Be is the small boy to the right. Next to him is his sister Caroline "Carrie," the only one of the siblings left.


Another family portrait, this time with the brother's wives and a few of their kids. This would be in the early '40s. Be is standing tall in the middle.


Be left Trinity College in 1941 to volunteer with the American Field Service, since his eyesight was so poor he wasn't accepted into the US Marines. He drove ambulances across Africa for a year. After that experience the Marines took him, and he served until 1943 when he was honorably discharged. He was in the rear unit that landed at Iwo Jimo, which probably saved his life. He seldom discussed the war but for a few fun stories, and I don't think he ever rode another motorcycle.


Marrying Rozenia in 1946, on the steps at Burnside. Excy's mom died in 1973.


When Excy was seven the family moved from Burnside outside of Baltimore to Florida near Key West but his mom's allergies resulted in another move to Prescott, Arizona within a year and a half.


Be and his third wife Jean. She is the only mother-in-law I knew. They were together 20+ years. His turquoise bolo tie, his pride, is now Excy's.


On our wedding day, reception on the terrace of Burnside (where Be was born and where we lived for two years when we married). Be is kissing me and his nephew Chaloner (Chal) is kissing the other cheek. How lucky am I?!


Be with his 'minis' -- he used to race chariots until he got too old to handle large horses. With the minis he just bent over them and saddled them up! He was in parades and he always took them into nursing homes.