“Getting to know Clyde” by Kathryn Kvinge

Several years ago my cousin Bertha May (as I knew her) came to visit friends in AZ and came to see John and me at our home in Sun City West. It was my first meeting with Clyde where he became something more than her husband. We liked him but it takes sitting down over food to get acquainted!

In MN we did just that—at their home in Forest Lake and then our townhouse in Shoreview. They had us for lunch first, the four of us. We talked about early days for them—school–how they met there and became a pair for good. They are younger than we are and it was fun to imagine them as they described their attachment to each other. We learned Clyde did some things in the kitchen (more than John did) and we saw how close and important their family was to them.

Then we sold our townhouse and were full time in AZ , but came to MN for a few weeks in summer. Once, at the home we had for a few weeks, we had all the cousins who live in MN and could make it, come for a reunion. Of course it included Bert and Clyde and Ada who had moved there to live.

A few times we met for breakfast at Matthews Restaurant, again the four of us. This was good easy talking where Clyde could occasionally get a word in too! Somehow women dominate in that department.

The last time was about 2 years ago when 5 cousins gathered at Matthews at 9.a.m. (stayed til 12) to eat, talk, laugh and tell family stories and ponder all the years gone by. Clyde was having a little trouble that day but he was there.

Clyde had an expansive heart, a warm smile and it was wonderful to feel the inner connection. I think if one feels liked by a person, it comes through with warmth. This I felt with Clyde. My heart goes out to all of you and especially Bert since I know the closeness there was between the two of you!

How good to know we will meet again!

This comes with love from Kathryn Kvinge

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