[meteorite-list] Just to say, "Hi" once again! (Walter)

From: Maria Haas <dragonsoup_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 00:59:19 -0700
Message-ID: <BAY109-DAV99FEB46B5A4EC9F21DD36CD610_at_phx.gbl>

Hello Mal,

My best wishes are with you and your son for the loss of your wife.

Walter's condition was touch and go for a while. He is still struggling but
is slowly recovering. Rebekah was injured in the accident and has bounced
back like only a kid can. If you search the list archives you can read all
about their progress. We receive updates through the list on a regular basis
from Walter's wife, Sabrina, a wonderful woman who is very capably handling
the family's affairs during this difficult time.

I have been collecting donations for the Walter Branch Recovery Fund since
the accident and the meteorite community has been incredibly kind and very
generous. Walter and his family have a long road ahead of them so I am still
actively seeking donations.

They need all the support they can get right now so please send your good
wishes to waltbranch at bellsouth.net . If you'd like to send him a card,
please let me know and I will give you their mailing address off-list.
Should you wish to donate funds, you can either do so through my PayPal
account to dragonsoup at msn.com or regular mail to me at 410 Spring Street,
Saline, MI 48176-2101.

My best,
Maria


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mal Bishop" <magbish3 at lowcountry.com>
To: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 2:50 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Just to say, "Hi" once again!


>
>
> Hello everyone once again!
>
> After almost a four year absence, I had an irresistible urge to again
> stroll back to the old
> neighborhood and see how much or how little it may have changed. It is
> rather refreshing to see
> many of the same old names I remember from the past, as well as some new
> ones, posting, along
> with some of the same in-family bickering going on that I so vividly
> remember from the past.
> Reminds me of one big family sitting around the dinner table with everyone
> fighting over the last piece
> of pie! :-)
>
> It is really nice to see everyone, or should I say read everyone, once
> again -- sort of like
> coming home after a long sojourn in the wilderness with all of its
> uncertainties and possible dangers, to be
> back in safer, and more familiar surroundings, albeit maybe a bit
> tumultuous, and testy at times, but never the less, still
> a feeling of kinship!
>
> I've been absent for the past couple of years from the meteorite list due
> to several reasons, but principally since my wife, Ava, passed away
> suddenly and most untimely in an auto accident two years ago this coming
> Monday, April 2nd. Personally, things were somewhat tough
> before her death, but at least she was there then to help smooth over the
> rough terrain, but after her death our one an only child, Gabriel
> (now eight) was my one and only true concern.
>
> Although my heart has always remained true to our wondrous, cosmic friends
> from above, I had to take a break from
> collecting, participating on the list, and even subdue to a major degree,
> my once burning desire and interest in reading and educating myself
> further
> on a once most
> passionate joy in my life. My son came first above all else, and a very
> unwanted adjustment period ensued with the loss of Gabriel's mother, and
> my
> best friend while trying to be both father and mother to Gabriel, and at
> the same time trying to cope with my own sense of loss and bewilderment.
>
> Anyway, I also wanted to mention how shocked I was when I rejoined the
> list
> a couple of days ago to hear about Walter Branch being involved in some
> sort of auto accident of his own! From the little information I've
> gathered thus far, it sounds as if Walter's daughter was involved in the
> accident as well,
> but that she may have faired much better than he had? I was just somewhat
> shocked and dismayed to read of this for I dealt with Walter on several
> occasions and found him extremely friendly as well as professional! He
> was
> top drawer as was everyone I've dealt with over the years on this list!
>
> I just offer up my best wishes and prayers for Walter, his wife, and
> daughter during this very tragic time in their lives! If anyone has an
> email address
> that is current for either Walter or his wife, I would like to directly
> email them my sympathy, and concern. Also, if anyone would care to do so,
> I would also like to
> hear how Walter is progressing!
>
> Well, in closing, I'm back to collecting ( already made several purchases
> from several dealers on our list and from my past), and on top of that, I
> have a very inquisitive
> eight year old who just purchased his own VERY FIRST meteorite (actually
> several :-) ).
>
> Hope all of you are doing well personally, and meteoritically! {smile}
>
> Best regards to all,
> Mal
>
>
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>
Received on Sun 01 Apr 2007 03:59:19 AM PDT