August 2025

Dear Marlee and Hayden:

19/08/25 09:40

August 23, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 32) - Today is a very special day. If it wasn't for what happened on this date 50 years ago, you would not be here. For it was on August 23, 1975, that I married your mother's mom - a person you know as Grandma Jan. The photo above shows that moment, taken at the Catholic church in Hawesville, Kentucky. As your mother has told you, Grandama Jan was a very special person. Jan was very smart, determined and kind. When she passed away in March 2007, I received more than 100 sympathy cards. Practically every one mentioned her smile. Her enthusiasm for life was there for all to see. And when it came to her family, immediate and extended, she was incredibly loyal. As one who married into the Fillman family - a "Fillman Outlaw" - I really appreciated that. (FYI - Because your mother was born a Fillman, you are considered "Fillman In-Laws.") Of course, I am sad that your Grandma Jan is no longer with us. But she continues to live through your mother and you - and I know that she is so very proud of you. It is also important for you to know how blessed you are to have your Grandma Carla and Grammie Maureen. They are two very special women from whom you can, and undoubtedly will, learn a lot. When it comes to Grammie, I consider myself blessed to have found everlasting love in my life for a second time. That I miss Grandma Jan does not diminish that. On this very special day, I ask that you think of your third Grandma. She may not be there with you here on Earth, but is surely casting a loving embrace on you from heaven. That's it for now. Happy Heavenly Anniversary. And Fear the Turtle.

Good Night, Chet

09/08/25 08:05

August 9, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 31 - This blog's 900th post) - I was returning from a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, when I received the news that my younger brother, Howard, had unexpectedly died at the age of 70. William Howard Guth was the youngest of the seven children of Jane and Evan Carey Guth, He had been preceded in death by three older brothers. Of the surviving Guth children, he was arguably the healthiest - which made his sudden passing that much more a shock to all.

Because Howie (as he was called back then) and I were the youngest - I was two years older - our youth was spent in tandem, playing football, whiffle ball and basketball. More than that, we spent many years as roommates in our rural Talbot County, Maryland, home. We developed a nightly routine that mimicked one of the most popular news broadcasts of the 1960s, The Huntley-Brinkley Report. As we turned off the lights to go to sleep, I would say "Goodnight, Chet." Howard would respond, "Good night, David. And goodnight for NBC News."

As brothers are apt to do, we occasionally fought. But we mostly laughed together. Those bonds remained strong into adulthood. Our families would frequently visit one another. Howard's son and my daughter were born within a few months of one another. Howard's daughter came along just a couple of years later. They played well together. My wife Jan and Howard's wife Linda became close friends. Tragically, Howard and I would share another bond we would have rather declined, as death claimed our wives at a too early age. We were there for each other in the worst of times. However, we mostly celebrated life in whatever form it took. And we were there in the best of times, as we were both blessed to marry special women who allowed us to open new chapters in our lives.

Howard was a dedicated brother, husband, father, grandfather and educator. I knew of no one who was more hard-working and focused on the task at hand than he. He never did anything half-way. Howard had a centered sense of right and wrong. He wasn't as demonstrative about his political beliefs as I am, but he wasn't afraid to let you know what was on his mind. One fault that he and I shared is that we often didn't suffer fools kindly. Most of all, when Howard Guth spoke, we listened because his opinions were ones we valued. And now, without warning, he is gone.

My oldest brother, Carey, passed way in 1969. The second oldest, Charles, died in 2011. The fourth oldest, Tom, left us in 2015. Now, only three of the seven Guth children remain. While I deal with my grief for the loss of my lifelong brother and friend, I also celebrate the accomplished and joyous life he led. To his wife, children, grandchildren and all who loved him, my wife and I send our deepest sympathies and condolences.

Good night, Chet.