Barb W.
I was a young teenager when I met the Daheims and coming from a small quiet family I was in awe of this large, lively and loving household. But it wasn’t astounding enough that they should raise nine children, but welcome all their kids’ friends into their home as well. How many of us were privileged to accompany their entire entourage to Ocean Shores in the summer? How many times was an extra plate put on the table? How many summer afternoons were we welcome to stop by to enjoy the pool? Even after I left home and went to Alaska Betty remembered me with the annual Christmas letter in which she spoke with such pride about the entire family, their associated spouses and children. And she knew EVERY detail!!
I couldn’t count the number of times over the years I dropped by unannounced and was always greeted with a bright smile and huge welcome. It might be months or years but the greeting never changed.
The last time was just before the holidays when I dropped in and found Betty and Bud home watching a game as they often would be. I plopped down in the family room and watched along with them and visited in between plays. I’m sixty-one years old now and it is simply amazing to me that I was so blessed to have been a recipient of such grace and kindness and welcomed into their home for nearly my entire life. Like ripples on a pond Betty’s love and influence was infinitely multiplied. She was simply the best. With love from Barb W.