All My Ancestors

Remember the sons of Dr. and Mrs. Ball who were killed “crossing the plains?” And remember that Dr. and Mrs. Ball lived just south of Des Moines?

My #2 son has had a band of some ilk since junior high school. He’s now older–a college grad by 3 or 4 years, and he’s still in a band. Last weekend we celebrated the release of the band’s third cd, the first national release because they got signed (3 magic words). We are proud–we have watched these guys grow and struggle and work really hard and we have believed in them and supported them financially and emotionally.

Last Friday they set out on their tour. (Never mind that they booked themselves in places like Minnesota and Wisconsin and Kansas City and, yes, Fargo, North Dakota in February–and these guys college grads!). And yesterday, when I was away in a neighboring city at a church camp women’s retreat, something kept niggling in the back of my mind that I needed to call home. It was a busy day, and my cell phone is on the fritz, but when I finally called home about 9:00pm, I found out that the engine on their van had thrown a rod. In Des Moines.

So it just made me wonder if Des Moines is a cursed place for our family. Or if this is Dr. Ball’s way of letting me know that his spirit is still in the neighborhood or just what was going on. We explored all the options–apparently my vehicle will be going to Des Moines to enable the next portion of this adventure to proceed.

I’m praying, as the Balls must have, for safe travels for my son and for the sons of the other 8 parents involved in this venture.