Celebrate You

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This old gal…

Is Czech…the round head…large nose…thin lips…an obvious chip off my ancestor’s block…

The sad story of my great great grandfather, John…from Prague, Bohemia…wanted to marry his love…the mother of his two children…she was wealthy…he no longer…his father had lost all they had gambling…the wedding was forbidden…

The priesthood beckoned…but John found it corrupt…despondent…he went to end it all…but…divine intervention…a change of heart…the gun tossed in the river…and a journey to America began…a feather bed…clothes…and a loaf of bread…packed in a trunk…an address carved in the side…a ship to New York…a train…to the Midwest…

A hard working farmhand…then a landowner…married Eleanor…had two children…John Jr. and this old gal's great grandmother Annie…Annie would sit…on Native American laps…when they travelled the plains…and pitched tent on a big hill…her dad entertained them…playing accordion…

His love…from Bohemia…sent a message…saying she would come to America…to be with him…he said no…he was married…and happy…

But Eleanor…told her daughter…that John never loved her…like he loved…his first love…

Annie married….and Emily was born…

115 years later...this good sport husband…celebrates his wife's heritage…with the Good Time Polka and Waltz Club…while the Czech Melody Masters entertain…czech me remembers kolaches…jaternice…WMT Sunday Morning Czech Party…and my dear, sweet, Grandma ‘Em….

Today...celebrate you...

​And this husband of mine...agrees...