Eileen and Larry Somers

Eileen was ahead of her time. She had a nativity scene and kept the straw separate from it. We had to to chores to get to put a piece of straw in the manger for the baby Jesus. She encouraged us to make good choices and be helpful so that we could get the privilege of putting straw in the nativity.

We would go out to eat after church once in a while. We would share dishes, mom and I. We'd get the weird thing and split it. Something like a Greek omelet. Dad liked that we split it. He got a kick out of it. He'd comment on it.

On a family trip to Florida (back in the late 90s or early aughts) Tom, Sam, and Chris were enjoying mom's and dad's hospitality. They went to an all-you-can-eat buffet. The girls got a kick out of Tom eating octopus. It was a good meal. Mom went to get dessert. On the way home, she started cramping up. We took a bus as far as we could, but we were walking through the park. She had to go to the bathroom so badly she didn't think she would make it. There was a Port-a-Potty, so she tried to get to it before it was too late. It was too late. Tom felt so bad for her! The "dessert" area was right next to the sushi area . . . and she had gotten some nasty stuff.