Happy Birthday, Joan!

February is full of birthdays in our family.  On Wednesday our eldest niece, Joan Janet Markentin, celebrates her 40th birthday!  I had to do the math again as it didn't seem possible.  After all, it wasn't long since I was that age!  Now two of our "kids" and one of the cousins have hit the big 40.  But when you are getting close to the old age of 70, that 40 sounds quite young so enjoy those forties and the busy days you have with your family at home.  They go by so quickly.


Joan has been the adventurous one.  When she was around six years old she and a friend got on their bikes and rode over to the Sutherland area to visit Grandma and Grandpa Erickson.  When they got there amidst all the traffic, Grandma and Grandpa weren't home so they had to turn around and pedal all the way back again.  Meanwhile, Jan was frantically searching nearby streets for Joan, never dreaming that she had struck off across the city.  What was the reaction when you showed up, Joan?  Guardian angels must have been watching over you two that day!


Once my dad was outside the house when he heard someone calling "Grandpa, Grandpa".  He looked around but could see no one.  When the call came again, he looked up and saw Joan half way up a telephone pole!


Joan was a traveller too and backpacked her way across a few countries with a friend.  She visited Norway and connected with family members in Bomlo.


When my mother had a massive heart attack in 1983, it was twelve year old Joan who gave her mouth to mouth as Jan drove to University Hospital in Saskatoon.  Joan had insisted on going along with Jan and Grandma as they headed for home after a program at a nursing home.  Grandma wasn't feeling well but insisted on going home, not to the hospital.  Plans changed after she suddenly slumped over.  Joan knew just what to do, took out Grandma's false teeth and kept up the oxygen supply until they were at the hospital.  Grandma was brought back to life with the use of paddles to get her heart going again.  Sadly, her heart was severely damaged but thanks to Joan's efforts she was granted another year of life.


Joan loves sailing and spent much time training for a possible trip to the Olympics.  She came close but had to give up that dream.  Now her children are very involved in swimming and diving so perhaps one of them will fulfill Joan's Olympic dream.  Joan and Morris' yearly letter is entitled "Water Works" as so much of their time is spent in the water.  The Markentins just spent a week in Jamaica and had a wonderful time there.  I'll add some  pictures from their Facebook photos.

 Hans after his first scuba dive with his proud mom, Joan.

The Markentins at the beach in Jamaica

The last time we visited Joan and Morris was at their acreage near Rosthern.  We had hoped to be able to see newborn twins but the girls weren't in a hurry and arrived a few days after our visit, at over six pounds each.  Now the family has moved to Saskatoon to be closer to swimming and diving facilities.  Joan's trips to the pool are much shorter, although more frequent as now the girls are in swimming and diving too, along with Hans' swimming and Bjorn's diving sessions.  Watch for that Markentin name in swimming and diving competitions!


We are long overdue for a visit with the Markentins.  That may have to be at our Erickson reunion at Cypress Park in July.  Can't wait!  Have a great birthday, Joan!   Lot of love to a special niece, the first one of five to bless our lives.


By the way, I ordered a Flip-top scanner the other day so I can soon make copies of my "old" pictures and add them to the computer.  Judy had one with her when they came to visit and I liked what I saw!