9 months . . . . .

It is hard to imagine that this much time has gone by . . . . the pain of living without him is with us everyday, but people who have experienced this before us are right, it does get a little easier to think about the future as each month passes. No one ever tells widows how much there is to do . . . so many decisions, so many things to settle. Many are behind me and now I am faced with looking ahead to future plans. Rachel's last of HS in Argentina was today, and she will be enjoying some traveling and relaxing before returning in early March. Rebecca has joined Drew, Katie and Fiona in Washington, preparing for grad school next year. Rachel will be interviewing at colleges over spring break and we hope to make our move in early summer. Sarah will follow from Minneapolis soon after, she is thinking about Spokane. A year ago when we were in Colorado scattering Kent's ashes, Drew got the job offer from Seattle, I never dreamt that we would all be out there a year later . . . . . God's plans are so great! Thank you friends and family for all your support, we are adapting to what Drew calls . . . . the "new" normal.

Dad would have loved the Pacific Northwest

Katie Jean, Fiona and I have been living in the Seattle area for over 3 months now. We have been exploring the beautiful parks, beaches and forests in the area almost every weekend. As we go on each adventure, I realize how much Dad would have loved visiting us out here. The old growth forests are amazing, the mountain lakes pristine and the beaches a joy to walk barefoot. These are the kind of places my Dad lived for when we where kids. And here you can enjoy them year round, as long as you don't mind a little rain, and who every heard of an Irishman that was bothered by the rain?
Rebecca just moved to the area last week and went hiking with us this weekend. With all four of us marching up the mountain trail, it felt just like old times. We all miss Dad a lot, but we can still see him in eachother as we continue the family activities that he taught us to love. I have missed being a part of Rebecca's life and I'm excited that she will soon be living only a few hours away.
I am just as excited that my mother is considering moving out here as well. I never imagined when God brought us out here this summer, that it would bring my family closer together, not further apart. Sarah has considered relocation to the Portland area and Rachel could move anywhere when she gets back from Argentina. I am always amazed at what happens when you put your complete trust in God.

Anniversary

Today marks 14 weeks since Kent's death. In so many ways the time has gone quickly, and yet so much has happened. We miss him so much . . . . he loved the summer and time together as a family. I have a new found appreciation for all his hard work on the yard now that I am trying to keep it up by myself! Wonderful neighbors and friends have helped with all the details, I know a friend is just a phone call away if I need help with anything. Last Friday would have been our 33 rd anniversary, and I was touched by those of you who remembered and sent a note---I did my best to keep busy that day with a teachers meeting in Waukee, and volunteering at the DM Art Fair in the afternoon. Dear friends, Pam and Mark Young took me to a movie that night. I have many fond memories of anniversary celebrations to remember. Each of you squeeze your spouse a little tighter for me---you must cherish every moment you have together.

At this writing, the Brittens are all adventuring! I will be leaving for a two week trip to Europe with my sister and brother-in-law to Holland and Latvia. Drew, Katie and Fiona are packing to move to Seattle for a wonderful job opportunity in mid July. Sarah and I will fly out to help unpack and celebrate Fiona's first birthday in early August. Sarah is considering a move to Portland, OR in the near future. Rebecca is a guide for white water rafting in Colorado for the summer. Rachel is learning to tango, belly dance and yoga while attending classes in Argentina. She will be moving in August to another host family--maybe the southern part of the country.
There is never a dull moment! A time of change and adjustment for all of us, thank you so much for your calls and prayers---we do FEEL the continued support and love from all of you.

Colorado Adventure

Friends and family that check this site regularly will be anxious to hear more about our Colorado Adventure. We just returned Friday from our trip to Colorado to distribute Kent's ashes over the beautiful lakes and mountains he loved. WE had a wonderful time as a family, healing from the loss, remembering favorite times . . . tears were shed, but just as much laughter . . . . being there without him makes the loss so much more painful, we are all realizing that it doesn't get easier to be without him, but know he would expect us to go on . . . . I know he would be so proud of our sense of adventure in accomplishing this part of the memorial. Rebecca will distribute ashes down the Arkansas River at Sidell Suckhole, one of his favorite rapids. She took her siblings on a wild ride down the river while Fiona and I hiked down the stream to watch. They all loved the adventure! WE left ashes at Bear Lake in Rocky Mt. National Park and also camped at one of our favorite campgrounds in the Park . . . I think we found the tall pine tree (30' now) that Drew climbed to the top when he was about 10 and scared his mom! We then headed to Blue Lake up the Poudre Canyon and camped at a small campground just below the Blue Lake trailhead. We saw several moose, one just a few feet from our RV. On Wednesday, June 9 we all headed up the Blue Lake trail early in the a.m. It was a 5.7 mile hike of 1500 ' elevation change for you mountaineers. Katie, Fiona and I headed back at the first big roaring stream over the path with the baby, the siblings forged ahead, making great time without us :) They encountered snow fields of 4-6' deep snow, but were able to find the path made by previous hikers and after hours in the snow, Rebecca was able to make it all the way to the lake and distribute Kent's ashes on the ice that will become a beautiful lake in another month. She remarked that she certainly understood why her Dad wanted his ashes left there, it was incredibly beautiful. I told them I have decided that's where I want mine left as well---this will become a familiar trail to the Britten's. Drew interviewed in Denver for a job, but decided to take the offer in Seattle, so they will be moving in mid July. the rest of us may follow soon . . . Many changes for all of us . . . its great to know that God is in control! We will never forget the memories of this trip . . . the only thing that would have made it better is if Kent had been with us . . .
The Relay for LIfe event on June 11 in Indianola was dedicated to Kent's memory, another wonderful tribute to an amazing man. We walked the track with the Britten's banking buddies team, and had a great time with his friends and colleagues. I was so happy that his brother, Jerry and his wife Lee, could join us for the day, as well as my sister Margie and her son JEff.
They raised $56.000 this year , exceeding their goal of $45, ooo . . . Kent would be so proud!

Blue Lake

I have some very vivid memories of hiking to Blue Lake with my father. It about a 7 mile hike through the Rawah Wilderness just off of Hwy 14. I must have been around 11 when we went the first time but I insisted on carrying my own backpack just like Dad's. I remember Dad & I walking around our neighborhood for weeks with textbooks and bricks in our backpacks to get used the heavy burden on our shoulders. We spent two nights camping near the lake just the two of us and had a blast. We had pancakes and hot-chocolate for breakfast and fished for cutthroat trout until we caught enough for diner. Dad took lots of pictures which I hope to find in his slide collection some day.

We did the hike again the summer before we moved back to Iowa when I was 13. During out stay this time we scurried up the scree field to Hang Lake, just above Blue. It was the middle of summer but there were still patches of snow around the far end. We chucked snowballs at each other in shorts and T-shirts until our hands were numb. I brought my own camera along this time but I was mostly into "scenery shots" at that age

Some of my greatest memories are there because Dad took the time to be with each one of us children, one on one. As I mentally prepare to scatter his ashes this June at that very lake, I wonder how I will feel when I see it again. Since leaving for college and starting a family of my own, my relationship with my father has been more of a spiritual connection than the daily companionship of childhood. In that way, my father is still just as much a part of my life as he was before March 10th. Still, the times I miss him most are often the ones I least suspect. My father's death has only stregthened my relationship with my Mom and sisters. No matter how many miles separate us, we will always be living right next door.

Relay for LIFE

Friends and family, its been 10 weeks today since Kent's collapse at the Capitol. My children and I are amazed at how his legacy continues, he will not be forgotten. To update you on our plans--we will be leaving June 4 for Colorado where we will scatter his ashes over his favorite Colorado spot--Blue Lake. Also, Bear Lake in Rocky MT. National Park, the top of Trailridge Road, and the Arkansas River in Buena Vista where Rebecca works as a whitewater raft guide for the summer. Many of you have asked about her company--Wilderness Aware--they have a great website and you can call them at 1-800-IN-A-RAFT. If you are heading out there give them a call and ask for Rebecca as your guide, you will have a rip-roaring time! She hardly ever has swimmers (guests overboard) and her jokes and stories are great--she got some of them from her dad ! WE look forward to the reunion with her in just a few weeks. WE will return on June 10 in time for the Indianola Relay for LIfe event on June 11 dedicated to Kent's memory this year. There will be an opening ceremony at noon on the town square, so I would like to invite any and all of you to join us for a lap around the square in memory of Kent. The relay continues until midnight, so you can join at anytime. The luminaries will be lit at 10 p.m. in memory of those that died this year, and in honor of those who survived cancer for another year. It is a beautiful experience and one that Kent enjoyed every year since his cancer diagnosis. He served on the central committee since coming to Indianola--handling the finances. There is hope for a cure for every kind of cancer and these relays are helping provide funds and awareness of this effort. Hope you can join us at NOON on June 11.

The Storyteller

I have been thinking about Kent this weekend and what a marvelous storyteller he was. He loved to tell humorous stories with just the right pauses to have his audience on the edge of their seats. I think storytelling is an ability inherited by most of the Brittens! I think I would have to say that his favorite story was the one about the Toothbrush salesmen. If I remember it correctly--3 guys head to the mall to work as toothbrush sales people. I heard him tell it hundreds of times, and the source was my sister Barb, who immediately identified it as a Britten boy story. The elaboration on the first part of the story escapes me, it changed from time to time, but the first two young men are unsuccessful.
The last guy sells everyone in just a few minutes!!
What in the world is your sales secret, they asked?
Everybody wants something free these days, so I set up a table in the mall, put a big ol' bowl of chips and another big ol' bowl of dip and a big sign that said, Free samples. People came along picked up a chip, a big gob of dip and pop it into their mouths, YUCK!!!! that tastes like shit, It is . . . . . . WANT TO BUY A TOOTHBRUSH ?

Lake Aquabi/Grandad's Bluff

Our creative children have decided that their father's ashes need to be distributed over many places. He loved to travel and look for adventures around every turn. I am not surprised that they have come up with this way to memoralize their father. We scattered ashes at Granddad's Bluff in LaCrosse, Wisconsin last weekend while visiting Katie and Drew and Fiona. It was a place we visited often after the kids moved there in 1999. It is a bluff that overlooks the entire Missisippi river bend at LaCrosse---you can see for miles in all directions. The day Fiona was born we headed up there mid morning---Kent wanted to spend part of his first day as a grandfather on Granddad's bluff!
Last Saturday, we gathered the family and some dear friends for a picnic at Lake Aquabi in Indianola as a send-off for Rachel before she left for her year as a Rotary Exchange student to Argentina. Mark and Rod launched Kent's canoe and took Rachel out to the center of the lake where she scattered the next group of ashes. His brother Jerry, and nephew Jeff took another canoe and accompanied them. It was just at dusk, which my friend Pam pointed out was the beginning of Passover. It was another beautiful tribute to Kent and the difference he has made in so many lives. He loved to spend time at Aquabi, many nice weekends would find us out out there hiking, or launching the canoe.
We will be heading to Colorado in early June to distribute more of his ashes in the Colorado Rockies. Rebecca will be taking a group of family members on a white water raft trip down the Arkansas to scatter more of his ashes. Drew and Katie have been planning a family trip for the Britten's to Ireland in June of 2006 so we will save some to take to his homeland. They have plans to trek to the Boundary water canoe area---a favorite place for Kent to spend time with his kids, nephews and brothers. The list will continue . . . . .

Go M.A.D. DAD!!!

Kent never let his kids leave the house in the a.m. without calling out go M.A.D. ! Its an acronym for Go Make A Difference in the world! His legacy continues through so many people remembering him and the difference he made every day of his life. Last night Rachel and I met with the Relay for Life committee to purchase the first luminary for this summers Relay for Life cancer memory walk. They also told us that they are naming this summers Relay , the Kent R. Britten Relay for LIFE. It will be held on June 11 on the square in Indianola. I have been invited to join the bank team, named "Brittens banking buddies" They are forming the team and ordering , of course, bright green t-shirts with Go MAD on them. What an honor . . . . he is still making a difference. All those years of sending the kids out the door with go MAD, came back to him. Every letter or email they sent their dad ended with Go MAD, DAD! Rebecca had a baseball cap made for him on her trip to Nepal with those words---always one of his favorite hats. I think she is wearing it as a white water raft guide in Arizona this week! They have ALL fulfilled their fathers dream of making a difference in the world.

Leadership Award

The Warren County Leadership Institute has honored Kent by renaming their annual leadership award the Kent Britten Leadership award. Rachel and I attended the banquet last Thursday and were presented with a plaque honoring his committment to effective leadership. Kent was an alumni of the class in 99-00 and had served on the board in recent years. The plaque reads:

Warren County Leadership Institute is proud to recognize Kent Britten who exemplified the characteristics of leadership that this organization strives to build and support. Kent instilled a sense of dedication, commitment, devotion and passion. He was a positive example for all of us. He taught us to make a difference. For this we are forever grateful. Presented to the Kent Britten Family, April 14.2005. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us.

Rachel and I were asked to say a few words on his behalf. We ended with the statement that it was no mere coincidence that God placed us in a community the last 6 years that is nurturing and so supportive. We are so blessed by all the kindnesses.

This week the Relay for Life committee has asked Rachel and I to attend their meeting and buy the first luminary for the Cancer Memory Walk this summer in memory of Kent for a feature in the local newspaper. His legacy will continue to be remembered.

We went on a hike at Hixon Forest this week to give the new backpack a try that Mom and Dad purchased for thier granddaughter. Katie snapped a picture and I was struck with how much it looked like one of the slides I had just seen of Dad. I put the two pictures together so you see the similarity. For clarification, the baby on Dad's back is Rachel. You can click on the picture for a larger view. Baby backpacks sure were a lot simpler back then.

I have been hiking or camping with my family so many times that I lost count years ago. Dad was always in the lead. He and Mom would take turns cooking meals on the big green camp stove while my sisters and I would help where we could, but mostly just played. What a blessing those times were as our character was being formed. How rare that is today when many parents would rather plop thier kids down in front of the TV and pop in a Barney video or the latest PS2 game. I'm sure living so close to the Rocky Mounatains may have helped a little but even today, there isn't anywhere where you can't find a little peice of wilderness with only a tank of gas and a decent map. I strive to bring my children into the great outdoors as often as my parents did, and they will be better for it.

Kent "isms"

Kent was famous for his many quotes. We began making a list while sitting at his bedside in the hospital. I will list some of our favorites and I am sure friends and family will be able to post more . . . .

"A place for everything and everything in its place"
"No job is done until the tools are put away"
"You don't get in trouble for accidents"
Dad , do you have chapstick? He always replied, "Does the sun rise in the east?"
The most often quoted, Go M.A..D! (go make a difference)
Its a BEAUTIFUL day in America where the LIGHT of freedom
shines in the EYES of the people!
Good morning, SUNSHINE!
"Good morning, good morning, if its as nice a morning tomorrow morning as it is this morning, it will be a nice morning tomorrow morning!" borrowed from my grandfather---he spent many hours perfecting it and then taught it to family members . . .
Is there anyone among you with the sporting blood to be a volunteer?
(borrowed from his brother, Jerry)
To kids when inspecting their room cleaning efforts, . . .
"Its a good start!"
When we were out shopping, "Is this a need or a want?"
I always hated that one :)
Discussing tithing, "Do you want to be blessed on the net or the gross?"

Please feel free to add to this list . . . .

Today he would be 55 . . . .

Kent was looking forward to this birthday for months, he could finally have a senior discount! We will spend the day celebrating his amazing life, and go out to dinner tonite with a gift certificate he left for us. One of the fondest birthday memories was one of the years that we were living in Colorado--- I packed for us, parked the car in his office parking lot and "kidnapped" him for a get away weekend to Denver, just the two of us. It had to have been the year Barb and kids were living with us, because I don't know any other way possible to escape 7 children. He loved being surprised. On his 35th birthday---a friend and I whose husbands' birthday was the same day--planned an elaborate dinner party at another friends house, and managed to completely surprise our husbands. His 40th, we were in Maquoketa and with the house full of friends and family--we featured skits (Andrew behind him, using his arms to shave his dad was one!) While sorting through some boxes I found the pictures of him that I had friends caption during the party--what fun---they were hilarious. Maybe Drew can help me post some of them to this site. His 50th we were in Indianola, and I had a big cake delivered to the bank, decorated like a fifty dollar bill and we filled his office with black balloons and crepe paper--he was surprised.
Birthdays have always been a huge deal for the Britten family--I hope they are a chance for each of you to celebrate life. His favorite was German Sweet Chocolate cake and his mom or I or Aunt Dee made it EVERY year for him.

The pulled "Fruit Loop"

Most of us who have known Kent for any length of time have heard this story before. However, while going through a box of memoirs last night, I found an English paper from his Junior year in high school which tells the story in his own words.

Unjustly Punished

by Kent Britten

April 24, 1967

Once in the course of human events a trifle incident resulted in drastic, unjust punishment. The way I recall it, it occurred in third period study hall on a bright, cheery Tuesday morning. The bell had just rung, and I had deposited myself in a seat toward the rear of the room. The student in the seat behind me thought he was pretty smart and pulled the "fruit loop" off my shirt. Acting on impulse, I immediately swung around and hit him on the head. The next thing I knew, the young, gentlemean teacher with his big gruff voice was telling both of us that he would see us in the hall. After entering the hall, the young, gentleman teacher escorted us to the office of Mr. Zee. Arriving at the office, Mr. Zee told us that we must spend the remainder of the day in the office and miss the rest of our classes.

For no more than we did, I feel that we were very unjustly punished. I believe the words that would best describe it are that the young, gentleman teacher and Mr. Zee "made a mountain out of a molehill."

Teachers Notes: It may seem this way to you, Kent, and perhaps you weren't guilty, but put yourself in the place of the teacher trying to keep a study hall quiet. Perhaps the incident was minor, but oftentimes minor incidents grow into major incidents if they aren't checked. Soemtimes too, we all are unjustly punished or too severely punished.

The well-dressed man. Kent was fastidious about how he looked. A peek into his closet would show you suits lined up---the one on the end was worn for a day, carefully hung on the hangar and placed at the end of the day at the other end of the rack--the "rotation"-- that way every suit was worn the same amount. He had over 100 ties to choose from, but nearly every a.m. I was consulted about the color. He was a regular at the drycleaner, 5 shirts a week, when one displeased him with to many wrinkles, he switched to other cleaner in town, until they displeased him and then he switched back:) The socks . . . amazing that in nearly 33 years of marriage, I NEVER picked up a sock, or underwear from the floor. A place for everything and everything in its place was his motto--I know I was a blessed woman, indeed! Back to socks, the first year he was a banker, he discovered that I was matching up a 6 week old navy blue sock with a 6 month old navy blue sock, So . . . . he began safety pinning them together at the heel when he took them off at night, they went through the washer, dryer and into the basket together and back into his drawers, sorted by color of course, to be worn again. He told me he thought he had saved both of us HOURS of work not matching socks all those years--you might want to try this idea--I think he's right!
This photo was taken at Puttin on the Ritz in Des Moines on Feb. 12. by Kent using the timer on the digital camera in our hotel room. He always made sure that we made this annual benefit for the Balloon Classic a getaway weekend, and we had a wonderful time this year, just like the past 5 years. I am so going to miss the fun times . . . . . with my amazing, handsome husband.

Easter Sunday

It was only by God's grace that we made it through Dad's favorite holiday without him. I may have shed a few tears when no one was looking but the day was not as painful as I feared it would be. When I listened hard enough, I could hear dad singing "Up from the grave he arose" with the heavenly choir, now perfectly in tune.

We spent the holiday with the Clark's in Monmouth, which brought back many memories of Easter egg hunts with all the cousins growing up. We used to spend hours dying Easter eggs around the kitchen table. By the end of the day we had dozens of beautiful eggs, multi-colored fingers and we all smelled of vinegar. All the uncles, including dad, would take turns pushing us on the porch swing. Each one would turn their backs as they pushed us and act completely surprised when the swing came back at them a second later. To all of us this was completely hysterical, no mater how many times they did it. I have lost count of how many pictures we have of the extended family in our Easter clothes on the Clark's front steps.

As I think of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on Good Friday for each and every on of us, I pray that my fathers legacy will continue to invite people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus died so that each and every one of us will be reunited in heaven when we believe in him. As I look back on my fathers life and my own, I realize that this is the only thing that really matters. Everything else is "small stuff". If you want to know more about Jesus you can start by visiting: Who is Jesus, Really?

Fiona's first swim! What a memory this picture was. It was just last November that I planned to attend my 10th class reunion. I asked Mom and Dad if they would come up and watch Fiona while Katie and I went to the event. Our hotel had a pool so we had to take the opportunity for Fiona to experience swimming. We were also able to attend our old church in Maquoketa and see friends we hadn't seen in years. It was surely Gods planning that allowed us to have so many special memories this last year.
 

A Living Legacy

While sorting through records following Kent's death, I have found dozens and dozens of charities that he supported over the years. He had such a heart for missions and was so happy to support many short term missionary trips as well as having three nieces and nephews in fulltime campus ministry. He was an ardent supporter of Promise Keepers, Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family, Republicans for the Christian agenda., Marriage conferences , The Heart Association, Relay for Life, . .. . The list goes on and on. What a legacy.

These are the famous "seven dwarves" that all lived under one roof in Colorado with Kent, Bonnie and Barb. We have added Katie Jean and Fiona since then so now we are looking for a fairy tale with 9 characters in it ;-) 

Dad and Fiona taken the Sunday before he died. He was such a proud Grandpa. My heart aches that she will never know her Grandpa but what a blessing that he was able to know her. 

Winter Memories

It snowed 20" in La Crosse over the last 24 hrs and reminded me of all the fun we had with Dad in the winter. Making snowmen and snow angels in the yard or sneaking under the fence to go sledding at the reservior in Greeley. The family used to go skiing every winter at Winter Park, CO where we always stayed at Grandpa Boulton's condo timeshare. Over the years I graduated from never letting go of Mom's pole to racing Dad through the mogul fields. When I started college, finals week always coincided with Grandpa's timeshare and I was unable to go. You can imagine my disappointment, so Dad made a special trip in January to take me skiing at Afton Alps in Minnesota. It wasn't Colorado but being with my Dad made it just as fun.

Celebration of Life

Friends, business colleagues and family. Drew, Katie, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and I were overwhelmed with the outpouring of love for Kent last Sunday at the Celebration of Life service. Estimates were that 700 people attended--Kent would have been so humbled by the things said about him and the wonderful tributes by people who knew him best. It was a great homecoming party---I know he is singing with the angels, and just in time for Easter--his favorite holiday of the year!!

This picture of my father was taken exactly one year before his death. 

My Dad

I have created this Blog in honor of my Dad. He was not only the best father anyone could ask for but also my best friend. Please use it to share your memories of this irreplaceable man.

He was in perfect health but had a heart attack on his way to the Iowa State Capitol to attend a rally in support of the marriage amendment. Paramedics were able to get his heart started again but his brain had been without oxygen for too long. After all his children arrived and had a chance to say goodbye, we took him off the ventilator at 8:15 on Thursday morning. We prayed and sang praises around him until he left his earthly body 7 hours later. The sense of peace we felt when he passed was tangible and we knew he was then with Jesus for all eternity.

Mere words cannot describe my father but I will use them to the best of my ability. I could fill volumes with the memories I have of my dad so you may see my name often on this blog. For now, I will share with you one of my fondest memories.

When I was 10 or 11, my father took me on a backpacking trip to Blue Lake in the Colorado Rockies. It took a full day to hike in from the trailhead and we sang songs like "Apple Red Happiness" the whole way. We spent 3 nights by the lake sleeping in our small tent and cooking all our meals on a single burner camp stove. The water was crystal clear and you could see all the way to the bottom of the lake. We fished every day and kept only what we could eat. At some point during the first day, Dad dropped his pliers into the lake about 3-4 feet under water but just a foot from shore. Although we could see the pliers clearly, they were well out of reach. Not being one to give up easily, Dad pulled off his shirt and told me to hold onto his legs. He leaned headfirst into the frigid water and retrieved the pliers on the first try. In fact, he had also grabbed another tool dropped by some less resourceful fisherman in the past. We have some great pictures of that trip and I will post some if I can find them.

Drew

Drew