We weren’t all together on your 50th birthday because both kids are in college now so we are writing this on the 7th anniversary of your death. We still take off work and gather together on this day each year. It’s always good to be together.
Paige and I had a Covid New Year’s in 2021 ringing in 2022 by ourselves. We had a blast getting dressed up and doing our hair - it was fun! And somehow JJ never got Covid!
JJ graduated High School on June 21, 2022 and we were all able to attend. Papa Ron was even able to watch it remotely. He listened to the message you left him too. I’m so thankful you left words of wisdom for the kids on milestone days like this one.
Papa says we need your environmental expertise because the whole world is burning up in smoke from the Canadian wildfires. This is just one of many things he’d like to talk about with you.
For Christmas 2021, Grammy sat on the front lawn because Paige had Covid for Christmas. We made the best of it so that we could see her and keep her healthy.
We continue to go to see the Hawks vs Rutgers everytime they are in the area, which included the basketball games in January of 2022 and January of 2023. The Hawks had one win and one loss but it is always fun!
Paige served and finished her term as risk reduction and education chairman of ZTA and was elected PRESIDENT in Fall of ‘22! She has really taken on some responsibility roles, you’d be proud!
JJ played varsity basketball his senior year and started a couple of games and got some decent minutes. He says minimal impact on the outcome of the games but it was fun playing with the team! I feel like you’d say the same thing about your HS basketball journey!
Papa Ron wrote a storyworth story about JJ’s senior night and about 50 other stories. He currently has 2 finished published books and is currently finishing up a 3rd one!
Grammy burst with pride when she watched JJ and me walk on to the center court for his basketball senior night but she was missing you. She says that me and JJ are a great team together. 🙂 (Paige was at college)
I explored the west coast in the winter of 2022 which included a visit to see Ivanka, who is now a Mom! And a visit to the California wine country, and Washington and Oregon states. It was fun exploring new places!
Paige started working at a new bakery in the summer of 2022 and it's the first real job (paying taxes) that she’s had and she loves it! She is working there this summer too and on all her breaks and the money is not bad!
JJ went to 2 proms, one being his own. He looked so handsome and got to drive the BMW to the prom. He had a blast with his friends that entire weekend. (We don’t need to know the details!)
Ron celebrated his 77 and 78th birthdays and he’s trying to get to his 60th HS reunion! He says getting old isn’t for sissy’s! I think he’s doing awesome and can’t wait to see him on Nantucket!
2022 was a transition year for Covid and we were still wearing masks sometimes. Grammy wore one almost all the time that year but is finally mask free.
JJ and I went to accepted students days at University of Iowa and College of Charleston. These are some of my best memories with him - we had so much fun!! But we missed you. He took his decision seriously making pro and con lists before making his final decision.
Paige made dean’s list in the spring and fall of 2022! She is trying to make it again in her senior year!
JJ committed to the College of Charleston and loves it there. He loves the weather, the people and the women. Uh…he correct… the education, the good weather, and the beautiful women. He decided to major in communications. And I could tell you stories about dropoff - boy did I miss you!!
Papa stayed with us at the memorial union hotel at University of Iowa when we visited there. There were such strong winds - it didn’t have a chance of being the winning school bc of the weather. The hotel at the memorial union is now closed - but it was great that we got to stay there before it closed.
Grammy had surgery on her eyes done twice by a … specialist?? She thinks they are drooping again and has had other issues that she says are more painful than having you!
I took a trip with my sisters to Florida last year and we all had a blast together. I’m closer with Jen than I have ever been in my adult life! I’m really enjoying our friendship.
Paige started dating somebody new and she wishes you were here to meet them.
JJ had to say goodbye to his family and high school friends when leaving for college and learn how to live without them. He did pretty well and enjoyed his new environment at College of Charleston!
The Spoerls in Iowa have established a tradition of Sunday brunch at Sue’s house. Ron says it’s good to get together with family each week and it’s been going on now for a year and a half.
We spent another week in Nantucket in July of 2022 and I got to stay in the Grandma’s cabin this year because Winky didn’t join us for the first time. Grammy was able to get down on the beach again and she planned another scavenger hunt for everyone. The kids and I went to Cisco Brewery and JJ and I danced - it was a blast!
I joined Lifetime Athletic again last summer and started playing pickleball which was a blast until I hurt my ankle. But I’m probably in the best shape I've been in in years. I love going to the gym and have even started swimming, biking, and running again!
Paige got a tattoo in honor of our family. It is everyone’s birth flower - her, JJ, me and you - in a bouquet on her back. It’s beautiful!
JJ joined a fraternity and made loads of new friends which is a new family when he is there. He has a great group of brothers, and new sisters, that he enjoys spending time with.
Ron still goes to the gym 3 days a week and although he says he’s not the healthiest he’s ever been, he is consistent!
December 12, 2022 was Grammy’s black ice fall. She hurt her whole body, especially her arm and shoulder. She had surgery on April 26, 2023 to repair her shoulder in 5 places. She’s healing well and has a great attitude!
Paige and I still go to the sunrise Easter service in the memorial garden. I find it very peaceful and feel close to you when I’m there but she feels cold and tired! Lol
Paige and I visited Charleston for parents weekend in February 2023 and went to a darty (daytime party - it’s a thing now). Paige and JJ want you to know that I danced on a bench - there’s an explanation to why that happened. Haha. We met all of JJ’s friends and brothers. It was a blast!
JJ stays active in Charleston playing intramural soccer and playing basketball with friends and going to the gym with Greg. Pledging kept in shape — lots of running!
Papa says covid didn’t really affect him much because he’s a hermit anyway. He spends a lot of time reading, writing, and watching TV. You’d be amazed by the ongoing politics, especially Trump stuff.
Katelyn and Brook and Ben and Laura spend a lot of time in kid sports and are doing amazing things with their athletics - lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, and swimming.
I continue to plant the garden every year and this year, my friend Nhan, gave me strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. You would certainly love that. I continue to battle the bunnies and the deer and I certainly miss your gardening!
Paige is a student leader in the Peers and Wellness Program (PAW) doing mental health outreach on campus and is looking forward to continuing that in school counseling. Only one more year to go!
JJ went to Nashville with his friends for a formal and explored the city. He had a good time!
Joe Biden says that eventually when you’ve lost someone, you start to think the fond thoughts about them and the life they’ve lived. Rob does that and said yesterday he thought about the song “Roxanne…” that you used to sing.
Grammy says I continue to be the best party giver in the world. She doesn’t have to do anything anymore. She says I treat her well and that you should know what a wonderful mother I am and how I have done a fabulous job raising your two kids. (Aw, thanks Grammy!)
This summer Paige and I are planning a combined 21st and 50th birthday party. Can you believe that we are that old? It’s going to be a blast with Squad 5 playing! I’ll for certain miss dancing with you, as I do so often. But you’ll be glad to know that JJ is almost as good as you.
We do family fun nights with our neighbors, the Truskowskis. Sometimes we just pop over and hang out with them too. You would definitely get along with all of them!
When I (Jules) was away, the kids will play… JJ had a party in February 2022 without permission, and felt the repercussions for it but, in the end, it was worth it.
Papa will be joining us in Nantucket this summer with the family and we are all very excited to spend quality time with him.
Grammy is still busy teaching and participating in book discussions. She says people get older and they have to stay on their toes with new skills.
I enjoy hanging out in the backyard with the kids on nice summer nights. I specifically enjoy playing cornhole with JJ, he is very good and has taught me how to play well.
We continue to raise money to find a cure for brain cancer in your memory. There is no walk this year so Paige and I will ask for donations on our big birthday bash. We are planning to send all funds to the Brooke Healy foundation.
You would be floored at the cost of housing. There was a house that sold for over a million dollars just across the street from us. Our neighbors are starting to move away but we are lucky with new neighbors coming in. I struggle with the decision to sell, rent or stay put. I wish you were here to help me with this decision.
I’ve met a really wonderful man who is an amazing father to his own 2 boys. Paige and JJ say he treats them and me with kindness, which is absolutely true. We are taking it slowly but I see long term potential in my future with him.
We miss you everyday in so many ways. We look forward to things that make us think of you. And as always, we wish you were here with us.
Today, November 17, 2021 would have been Scott’s 49th birthday. Here are 49 things that we (Paige, JJ, Ron, Jan, Ben, Laura, Katelyn, Brooke and me) want to share with him about the past year:
The pandemic continues. There are so many things to say about this:
Grammy can’t wait till she can see people again regularly and normally.
We are still wearing our masks. This year is still not back to normal.
Ben has only left the house for his office once or twice. It’s still a weird world!
We all got vaccines this year! The little ones most recently and some even got boosters already.
Last Christmas was a Zoom Boulanger/Spoerl Christmas.
No big New Year’s Eve bash this year because of Covid - we stayed at home but we were together as we joyfully said goodbye to 2020!. We watched our neighbor, Brian, light fireworks in his yard though which was fun. (greatest neighbors ever!)
Things are getting better with Covid but we are not back to normal yet.
Paige finished her first year of college - it sucked. (her words). The 2nd year is going so much better for her!
Brooke started to really like swimming and got on the swim team!
Katelyn finished remote school and got to go back and see friends. She has two best friends, Hailey and Navya.
Iowa football was having a record season and then blew it but are improving again.
Laura survived home schooling Katelyn and Brooke and made it out alive with minimal side effects. The girls tested well and are at the high end of their grade level!
Papa Ron wrote lots of stories on Storyworth and published a book. He wrote almost 90 stories. They are good and we enjoy reading them!
We cleaned out the garage and bought a shed. This was done to make room for my new convertible car. It makes me happy, seriously happy. Top down, music on, happy!
JJ is a senior this year and has applied to college and got his first acceptance from the University of Iowa!!! He’s going to college! He is still awaiting news from the other schools. He made national honor society too!
For Jan’s birthday, I made her a beautiful photo album that she looks at all the time!
Paige joined a sorority and met some of her best friends. Next semester she will be the risk reduction and education chair. Following in your footsteps as the safety guy.
Brooke started kindergarten and learned to read this year! She’s having loads of fun!
Katelyn started field hockey and scored her first goal! She is really enjoying it!
Donald Trump still thinks he’s president and ½ the Republican party still believes that he is too.
I got a legacy of love award this year from Head for the Cure for helping others make treatment plans, find doctors, and get the best care. I was surprised, humbled and honored to be the recipient of this award.
JJ played for the varsity soccer team and varsity basketball team. He bleached his hair last fall for soccer and it stayed orange all through basketball season. Haha
Grammy cleaned out Grandma Barbara’s house and got it on the market and it sold the next day! She was there on and off for 6 weeks and did an amazing job cleaning out.
Paige is a sophomore and a psychology major with a minor in education and she is currently doing fieldwork which is “interesting.” (said sarcastically).
Katelyn started competitive swimming as a dolphin. Her favorite stroke is freestyle and she likes the relays.
Ben tried to go to your favorite deli in Newark called Hobbys today in honor of your birthday. He couldn’t go but he thought of you.
After Papa’s year as a hermit, he has been going to Sue’s for Sunday brunch every Sunday. He’s enjoying the time with his family.
JJ got his driver’s license. He is a great driver and I am enjoying being a passenger again. Not so relaxed that I put my feet on the dash like when you were driving but it’s nice.
MaryBoone published a book called Bugs for Breakfast and she is working to spread the word of sustainable food sources.
Paige and I started rollerblading again and we took Katelyn and Brooke rollerblading to the Newark Branchbrook Park roller rink. It was the best day ever!! And we went to Let’s Yo after!
Brooke helps pick up trash at school with her friend. You’d be proud!
Laura had to do a lot of volunteering this year to see any live sports or get inside the school. She is on the HSA board at school.
The Afghan war has ended and it seemed that everyone was mad about it. It was kind of a mess.
We all went to Nantucket this year. We went to turtle pond, raced and then ate lobsters, JJ drove off roading (Winky let him drive her car), and sat on your bench and thought of you. Grammy organized a scavenger hunt for the entire crew and that was fun.
We turned JJ’s old bedroom into an office which proved much needed space during quarantine - Paige, JJ and Jack all took turns in the space.
JJ won the senior class flirt superlative. #1 most flirtatious boy in the senior class. Aren’t you proud?
Grammy won the prize for deciding to throw the piano out in the dumpster at Grandma Barbara’s house. It created quite a hubbub.
Paige went to her first of many frat parties. She is enjoying college more now. :)
Katelyn started a squishmallow collection - they are squishy stuffed animals. Paige has one too shaped like an avocado.
The Ben Spoerl clan got the front porch and house painted and it looks beautiful. The door was supposed to be a Nantucket red...but they decided on a color that is a little lighter but really pretty.
Julie grew an accidental pumpkin this year. Maybe the squirrels left a seed in the flower box last year? The pumpkin was perfect and then went on adventures with JJ’s friends. It’s a good story but a long one.
JJ wrote his college essay about you and the overwhelming effect you and your illness had on him and our family. It was so well written and definitely a tear jerker. He is an amazing writer.
Grammy had her eyes fixed and no longer has droopy eyelids. Her vision is much better now.
JJ and I took a trip down the Carolina coast to visit several colleges and we had a Bojangle time. We visited ECU, UNCW, Coastal Carolina and then ended in Charleston where Paige and Jack joined us.
On our vacation to Charleston, we went out to dinner and JJ ordered a beer at a restaurant and was served! I ate crab legs and corn - delicious! Paige tried oysters and said they were ok. We played a lot of DOS, the card game, and hung by the pool.
Joe Biden is president and his approval rate is 41% but Papa Ron still likes him. Papa says the whole world is crazy.
JJ took his SAT test again over the summer and got to a score that he was happy with -- higher than yours or mine. Equivalent to Paige’s ACT :)
Grammy is so proud of her grandchildren. She likes seeing JJ play soccer and Paige going into education.
We hosted a 4th of July celebration and Paige and I dressed in our festive American attire, went to the fireworks store and bought a bunch of stuff, drove around in the convertible, almost got in a car crash but didn’t - it was a blast. We celebrated Auntie Jen’s 50th at the party with a very strong rum punch. Can you believe she’s 50?!
I took a new position at work and now I’m working at both Salt Brook and AWR. I get to work with some of Paige and JJ’s AWR teachers, which is really fun.
JJ goes on walks with Coach Cattano sometimes and went today on your birthday. Coach said he’d want you to know that he and JJ have gotten really close and he says hi! He told me JJ “is still the best.”
I am enjoying spending lots of time with my friends - some are empty nesters now so we all like being together a lot. I am lucky to have such good friends in my life. I might be in love with Joann’s dog Charlie.
Paige wants you to know that she’s happy and that she misses you. We all do, so very much.
Lucky died on St. Patrick’s Day this year, maybe he crossed the rainbow bridge and met you on the other side? We miss him but he lived a good long life. He was a good boy!
You, as always, would be so proud of Paige and JJ. They are wonderful, caring people who I not only love with all my heart but I really like. We continue to move forward and try to enjoy life as much as possible, like we know you’d want us to.
I could continue...there’s always so much to tell you each year. I wish you were here to experience it all with us. It’s unbelievable that we’ve now celebrated 6 birthdays without you. This wasn’t how I imagined my life to be and I miss you as much today as I did that first summer but I will make the best of this life, welcoming each sunrise as you would want me to. Salve Diem. Happy 49th birthday Scott.
Forever yours, Julie
This is the 5th birthday that we have celebrated without Scott physically in our lives anymore. We made a fillet mignon dinner with birthday cupcakes for dessert and in 2020 style we zoomed with Ron, Jan, Ben, Laura, Katelyn, and Brooke. In honor of Scott's 48th birthday, we collectively discussed 48 things we'd like to share with him that have happened since his last birthday:
Grammy wants Scott to know that she has 4 wonderful grandchildren that he would be so proud of!
Uncle Robert passed away. He determined that 2020 was a good year to check out.
Paige committed to Moravian college and almost finished her first semester.
Covid 19 happened. We are living through a pandemic. It is crazy, seriously crazy.
We flew to San Diego last December to see the Hawkeyes play in the Holiday Bowl. Paige was sick but they won and it definitely was a trip to remember.
Katelyn says online school has been tough but the teachers have been amazing. School is definitely different this year for everyone.
Grammy says all the kids are growing and adjusting to their new school lives (and Julie too). Scott - you would be proud of the way that we have all adjusted to our new normal..
The Hawks started out disappointedly but they are now playing well! There’s hope!
Paige graduated from high school...on July 9th and socially distranced but it happened!
JJ made the varsity soccer team and that was his first varsity letter. They won today on your birthday, 7-0. And JJ bleached his hair for the team! He is also playing for a club team.
There was a toilet paper shortage this year. Seriously, it was difficult to find toilet paper! And it might happen again. We are stocking up!
Unilever is starting home delivery of ice cream for all of the Unilever brands. Julie has consulted Kate about this and she confirmed it to be true!
Grandma Barbara passed away on the 13th of January and we all flew out to Iowa for the services in the bitter cold. She died quickly on a Sunday afternoon, not long after she had beat Grammy at scrabble just the Thursday morning prior. We wished you could have been there with all of us.
We thought we were going to die on highway 13 in Iowa on that trip when we went to Manchester to see Uncle Bob. Julie ducked to avoid a sheet of ice coming at the windshield and she was driving!
5,000,000 more democrats decided that they should vote this year because it was a bad idea not to vote last time. It worked, Joe Biden is our next president but Trump is still putting up a fight.
Paige turned 18 and was old enough to vote in this election. She learned what the election was about and really got into the democratic process. You’d be proud!
JJ turned 16 and is learning to drive and got his permit (albeit a little bit late). He can’t wait to have his license and is hoping for a car of his own.
For 3 months we had groceries delivered to the house and cleaned them before bringing them inside. The pandemic has caused some crazy new behaviors and routines..
Katelyn’s teacher said she is the happiest student in the class and she is doing so well! And she dyed her hair purple!
Grammy went to Vermont in the pandemic to see Winky and stayed for 3 months when she only thought she’d be gone only a couple of weeks!
Papa Ron still goes to the fitness center 3 days a week and so far he’s not gotten infected with Covid so that’s good!
Paige went into the city for the first time without parents to see BeetleJuice with friends early in the year. She loved it! We hope that we can go back to see broadway shows sometime soon.
JJ coached kids in basketball over the summer to make money and he had fun and enjoyed it.
We took down the playground in the backyard and put in a fire pit. We celebrated Tom’s 50th birthday, Pam and Joann’s birthdays and Michaels birthdays there this fall. It has been a great place to hang with friends and family.
Brooke started Pre-K and she’s learning her letters and can write her own name!
Some of the Spoerls went to Nantucket but some of us didn’t get to go because of Covid. We try to keep that tradition every year and hopefully we will all get to go next year. .
Ron hasn’t been back to NJ since last Christmas! His plan is to get vaccinated to come out to see us this spring. We would all love that.
Paige decided that she doesn’t really like “adulting” and doing things like going to the doctor on her own.
We became closer with our neighbors, the Truskowskis. I think you and Brian would be besties. You would really love them.
Julie isn’t happy with the landscapers and misses you doing the lawn.
Ben switched jobs and got a job where he would have to travel more but hasn’t left the house since because of the pandemic! The new job is a very positive environment and the people are pleasant.
Grammy bought a new computer all by herself. She has learned to zoom and has her own personal zoom account. Everyone is zooming now and we have regular zooms with the extended Spoerl family too.
Ron is 2 years younger than President elect Biden! And most of our friends voted democratic this year!
Paige nannied 3 kids all winter last year and babysat 8 hours a day for kids this summer. She made a lot of money but it was an adjustment.
The giants aren’t doing well but they are still first in NFC east. They beat the Eagles. And the Redskins are now the Washington Football team - haha.
Lucky puppy is hanging in there. Jack feeds him from the table and he loves it. He’s still a good boy.
Laura coached Katelyn’s basketball team and recruited Ben to assist.
Grammy heard from some old friends and they enjoy reminiscing about old times. One was Rich Wagor’s mother and she said when you were playing basketball at the Y when you were little, you picked up the ball and Richie at the same time for the play. They laughed about that.
Paige already changed her major from PT to psychology because PT was too science heavy for her. She may want to be a middle school guidance counselor. Julie keeps telling her that it’s ok to not know what you want to do in life yet.
JJ started virtual college visits. He thinks he wants to go south to a medium sized school. Julie doesn’t want him too far away!
Jack has been living here since quarantine and has cooked many meals for all of us that are restaurant quality. We are spoiled.
Everyone wears a mask in public these days and it’s required by law in most places.. It almost feels like a science fiction movie.
The fundraising teams are still working to raise money to fight cancer - both Voices (now Head for a Cure) and Tom is still leading a Movember team in your memory.
Some things never change and we still have racial and social justice issues. Grammy continues to work for equal rights for everyone and stresses the importance to teach others and raise awareness.
Paige had a rocky start to her freshman year but survived and will make some living changes for second semester. She did make 2 really good new friends and is hopeful about the rest of the year.
JJ took his first SAT test and he used the lucky Iowa hat for the test. He did pretty well so maybe it still has a little luck left in it?.
Scott, you would be so proud of your kids. They are kind, helpful, funny, and overall great people. We continue to stick together, moving forward and enjoying life together.
Happy 48th birthday! Ron donated $148 dollars to the Movember team in honor of your birthday this year. We miss you more than words can express.
