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Pete's mom is as British as they come. By that, I mean that she is adventurous, always up to any challenge, courageous, never shrinking from adversity, or an untoward situation. She is as brave as they come. Of course, these are also the very same traits that made up the character of her first born, Phyllis Macay. Phyllis was the most independent lady I've ever known.

Phyllis was very definitely cast from the same die as her mother. Just as an example, Pete and I went on a white water rafting trip with Phyllis many years ago. It was a two day trip rafting down the North Yuba River. We eventually came to the falls known as Maytag (because it was just like that washing machine on spin cycle). Our guides took us to the edge of the cliff overlooking these falls, and believe me, it looked impossible. They told us that there is no shame in porting around this particular challenge. But what do you think we heard Phyllis saying behind us to her raft crew? "Let's do it!" Pete said, "Damn". There was no way that we could port around it if Phyllis was going to do it, and we did it. Of course we all got dumped, and I thought I was going to die, but miraculously I didn't. I think what I'm trying to say here, is that Phyllis lived life more fully than most anyone I know, because she was adventurous, fearless, very capable. She knew that she would probably never be this way again, so why not experience it all while she's here. I think she lived her whole life that way, drinking life in, in these huge gulps, and the joy she experienced was always evident in her forever smiling face. You just have to read her website to see that this is true.

Some of Phyllis' art which she used in her Interior Design work were posted on the wall in the garage. Her talents were many.

Phyllis could pull ideas from her head, and put them down on paper when conceptually designing a room. I had the priviledge of working for her one time in one of her furniture stores where she worked in their showroom, giving the furniture more eye appeal. It was her attention to detail that made all the difference. I was one of her grunts who moved the furniture around. It wasn't easy, but it gave me the opportunity to watch her first hand in her job as she transformed a mundane collection of furniture into an eye catching display that simply said "buy me". She was very good at this.

Ideas sprung from her like leaves bursting forth from a branch in spring.

When it came time for the memorial to begin, Joey started things off with an introduction, which was followed by many people taking the podium one by one and telling their favorite stories about Phyllis. There were some tears, and there was some laughter, as we recalled many of the events, and it became very clear that Phyllis had touched so many lives in a very positive way. I didn't take any photos during this part of the service, as I was too intent on listening and observing.

Top: Phyllis memorabilia, photos and photo albums, trophies, and her "PPM" logo.
Bottom: Pat and her sister Cindy, with Uncle Chet behind Joey and Glenda Gibbons

Top: When clean-up time came, Aunt Hazel was always there, and Pat was at her side until the work was done.
Bottom: A view of the tent and tables, and the Macay home Nina and Pat (granddaughter and grandmother)

Nina's son Ryan, the first to make Pat a Great Grandmother.

Pete with his brother Joe. It was a great day, and on the morrow it would be Joey's day of celebration.

Joe and Terry can justifiably be very proud of all four of their kids. Joey is the last to graduate from high school.
They each received a fabulous party in celebration. Maybe as added incentive, they can offer them a trip to Europe
upon graduation from college. Just a thought Joe and Terry. I know that would sure spur me on to victory. ;o)

I enjoy reading what kids write in their graduating year books. Standing on the precipice of the rest of your life,
you take the time to ponder, and in so doing, you tend to define yourself to yourself. And with that pondering, the
challenge begins as you start to shape yourself into the image you desire, through carefully thought out choices.
And the simple secret to a successful life it the choices we make. Good luck Joey, as you consciously choose well.

This was a fun game Joey's friends set up. Tossing a ping pong ball into plastic cups. It is harder than it looks.

Krystin, always wearing a smile, and getting others to do the same. She is the first of Joe & Terry's kids.

There was enough food to feed an army, and of course I loved the chocolate fountain for the fresh strawberries.

It is getting late, as the coals start to burn down. Pete and I leave the next day to return home to Buenos Aires.

Our flight left Detroit Metro for Miami at 3:20 in the afternoon, and we arrived home at 6:10 the next morning. It was a great trip, and I am glad that we took the last two days from our Hawaii vacation to join the family in Michigan. I wasn't too happy though, about losing the two days off the front end due to the ash from the volcano in Chile. We are nearing the time for our flight to Aruba on the 2nd of September, and just yesterday the volcano erupted again. Having our flights delayed because of the ash is getting a little old. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

This concludes my travelogue, and I hope that you have enjoyed going along for the ride. Cheers! Ron & Pete