The Sioux Falls of John Reiff

Yup, from 2-5 yrs. John lived in this house. Since we were going close to Sioux Falls, and he had a hankering to find it, we were off on an adventure.  Of course, he couldn't remember the address or exactly how it looked...no problem! We found it anyway, and he took a walk down the street of his youth with Bear as decoy should anyone recognize him after seven decades. 

All those years ago it was the President's house for the Sioux Falls College (now University of Sioux Falls) John has great memories of childhood shenanigans, especially with older brother Fred. How he can remember back that far is beyond me! I do think places and memories are with us. Sometimes my dreams use the backdrop of 233 South Eden in Shawnee Oklahoma as the stage. Go figure.

So, I was waiting for John and wishing we knew who lived there now, when a gigundo red truck drove into the driveway. We met Lori! She's lived there for the last 8 years.  A good time was had by all; and after much confabulation, laughter and picture taking, we again hit the road. 

I want to put this in the blog:  John's Dad went on to be the president of Hardin- Simmons University in Abilene Texas. In 1961 he led the university to become the first private in Texas to be fully de-segregated. The following year when John was 14, his dad died. 

We leave behind what we do in the world, way more than what we say.