Angelkeep received an Easter, Autumn, several Christmas, and a couple New Year’s Letters. We like the reads. A “catch up” time. Most are “Norman Rockwell family-sweet.” Few announce losses. Angelkeep’s 2023 can be recalled as both + and – .
A year-long diet resulted in zero + or – .
Angelkeep lost three doe friends, hit by a train. That news hit the News-Banner front page. Nature took charge, in a scriptural-like “earth to earth, dust to dust” sort of way.
Discover Ouabache. Google it. Enough said, it speaks volumes.
Covid-23 struck Angelkeep human inhabitants. Angelkeep quarantined three times the requirement to make sure Gwen and I didn’t pass horrible nasties to others. It brought back memories of friends lost in pandemic years. Did the Covid vac and two boosters save us? At peak, Angelkeep’s strongest at any moment, became caregiver for the other. Duty passed back and forth rapidly. A cough extended into the second month. Friends prayed us through recovery.
The year of 2023 became Angelkeep’s first “full year of cell.” Gwen mastered cell-spoken audio books thanks to Wells County Public Library’s fine staff. I required a year of training in texting. Cell calls yet as often get turned off as being correctly answered. Thus, Angelkeep “loves & keeps” a landline. Four new remotes are landline ready. A texted Christmas photo success could mean more cell advancement for 2024.
An MRI sent Gwen fast-tracked through a steroid injection-PT-surgery-PT year. I declared her the “Spinal Fusion Poster Girl of 2023.” The trek that could be a book continues. Prayer’s positives percolated. Surgery went perfect, though expanded. Angelkeep offers high praise for surgeon Dr. Brandon Huggins. Gwen and I keep noticing our doctors appear to be so young, perhaps due to our aging infirmities. Dr. Huggins had history with Angelkeep. He once took a dive from the pier into a scum-covered Angelpond upon a dare from his sister and friends who were paddle boating across the pond.
So an old neighbor-friend helped in a major way. Due to his work a wheelchair, walker, shower stool, and numerous canes collect Angelkeep dust from non-use. Praise God. Gwen and I prayed the Lord would guide Dr. Huggins’ hands. We know He did.
More recovery lies ahead. Doc said, “a year.” We’re half-way there. The end remains unknown. But before 2023 concluded Gwen and I met a friend and dined out. It was the first time in over five years that we could do that together. Praise God. The home return and next day were extra painful, but milestones are not mastered in a single day. 2024 hope abounds.
Early in 2023 came an epiphany. E. B. Williamson deserves a printed hardcover. Long ago I, as a local history nerd, began squeezing historical chapters between writing Angelkeep Journals’ columns. Numerous books ended home-printed in two copies, gifted to two local libraries. Williamson became too great a story to treat in that manner. A true published illustrated hardcover would take a miracle. Miracles do happen on Angelkeep Street. Some miracles require assistance and inspiration.
Ed Schwartz of Loving Shepherd Ministries and Oak Creek Media Publishing stepped in with his A-game.
Thus, 2023 became a whirlwind of Williamson amid all the other happenings. Williamson started in 2021 and continues in 2024. Angelkeep would much appreciate some of this column’s readers to join the Revelation Celebration of Williamson’s Bluffton History at the Wells County Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on January 16. E. B. deserves a standing-room only crowd. He deserves a standing ovation. It’s long overdue. He is Bluffton’s greatest ever human asset. Also a “best kept secret” for some reason.
If you’d like a preview, “Edward Bruce Williamson – Bluffton History” remains available for purchase at News-Banner, First Bank of Berne, and Harvest of Health, that last pick-up point the actual former home of the Williamsons.
Who did Gwen and I meet for a Richards’ dinner? Tammy and her daughter Sarah, or E. B. Williamson’s great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter. The restaurant chain was started by Don Strong. Strong once lived in the home of E. B.
I completed September’s shortest ever “Rock Steady Boxing Bluffton Walk” with pride toward the organization, but with a painful wimpy, gimpy, limping-hip finale.
That’s a rap (sheet) for 2023.
Mr. Daugherty is a Wells County resident who, along with his wife Gwen, enjoy their backyard and have named it “Angelkeep.”
