Cindo was in full party prep when we arrived Sunday. We tried to help where we could - but she and Colby pretty much had it under control. That afternoon, we drove into Vail so Cindy could pick up her Golden Bear jewelry, which was at the store getting polished. Golden Bear is one of Vail's signature stores. Bolder used to buy her pieces for gifts.
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| Cindy and me with Albert Einstein (at right) at the Golden Bear store in Vail |
We thought the best thing we could do was to get out the way Monday, when Cindo was in full party-prep mode. We did a bit of shopping in Edwards with Jud and Kara, after lunch at Fiesta. Amy came to lunch too after she spent the a.m. in Glenwood Springs at the vapor caves.
Jud, Kara, Paul and I hung out at the Riverwalk Hotel's lobby that afternoon. Jud and Kara played board games as it snowed delightfully. The four of us attended a 5 PM Lutheran Church service held at the Interfaith Chapel where Bolder's memorial service was held. Only about 20 people were there - not sure if the small crowd was due to the snow or the fact that people were traveling. That made it rather intimate though - everyone introduced themselves and we said where we were from. The pastor was from Des Moines! He started naming Lutheran Churches in Iowa, until I mentioned we were Catholic...that put a smile on his face. My favorite part was the candle lit singing of Silent Night at the end. I admit it choked me up at times - very moving. Then it was on to the party!
Cindy was putting the final touches on things. The place looked great! Dips, wings, meatballs, cookies, wine, beer, pop, water - it was all there. The tree was perfect! Paul and I were set to cook the wiener winks. We took a few quick family photos, before people began arriving.
Colby was wearing "The Sweater". It's his legacy from his father. I don't even know the story behind this work of art. But he definitely looked the part.
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| Colby doesn't tuck the sweater in like his father does... |
Prior to arriving, Colby and Amy had been at E-town and Woody's, Bolder's fave hangouts, for refreshments to prepare for the evening. Byron arrived a bit later - looking classy - hair freshly cut, and with new glasses. I think they went to the garage for some liquid courage prior to their first set. People continued to arrive, and the noise level began to arrive. Paul and I chatted with the friends we've made through the years.
Then it was time. Colby, Byron, the Sanders kids - Kelsey and Reeve, Sarah Melzer and a few others got into position and it was time. We sing, and if we don't know the words, we sing "hanna hanna hanna". It's fun. This year, Bart Garton wrote a song to one of the Christmas tunes with works about Bolder. Was it Winter Wonderland? It was very clever, mentioning how he liked to bowl, and how he buttoned his shirts to the top. It made us all sing and smile. Cindy's friend Clarey kept hugging her the whole night! Actually Cindy got hugged a lot by a lot of people. Kara got mistaken by someone else's girlfriend. Holly broke a wine glass and just kept eating her wiener.
We sang the very last set about 9 p.m. That's when the kids come out in the Hawaiian skirts and we do Mele Kalikimaka, complete with motions. It was so fun, we did it twice. I was feeling the joy. This holiday season, every time I heard that song - in Younkers or where ever, I though of Bolder watching over me. It made me happy. About 10ish it was time to go. Of course Cindy was up until all hours cleaning up. I hope she was pleased with the party - as pleased as one who has lost a spouse could be. And all the parents can be pleased that Bolder's legacy has been passed on through their children. A Merry Christmas Bolder Style!
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