Roadside Ramblings

The following is a speech I gave at my retirement party on November 30, 2012. I thought it was "just a speech" but apparently, much to my surprise, it touched the hearts of many of my coworkers. When I finished the speech and looked out into the audience, tears were in everyone's eyes!! Not sure why, may not want to know. Now I'm sharing it with the rest of the world.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The newspaper ad said, "Clerk Typist, 20 hours, City of Burnsville." The job sounded perfect. We had just moved into a new house with a new daughter and I wanted to stay home part time and raise her. That was 23 years ago and today it feels like it was 23 seconds ago.

As I look out at all of your faces, each one of you brings a memory to me:

Perhaps we crossed paths in Park Maintenance, or during another time in our lives.
Perhaps we worked together in Police Records
Maybe you were a reluctant CSO who helped me in the property room and still to this day laugh about the fun we had.
Perhaps you worked with me two nights straight cleaning up the debris from the "new roof."
Maybe you were a close friend who brought me jello when I was sick

Whoever you are, you know we are connected by our memories. What you don't know is how you have enriched my life by your many acts of kindness, friendship, laughter and support.

Each and every one of you has brought something to my life that if it came in the form of a colored thread would become a large part of what I call,

"The Tapestry of My Life."

When I first started in Park Maintenance, you brought to me "Threads of Security" when my previous employer, professional soccer, had closed their business.

When I moved over to Police Records, you all brought to me "Threads of Friendship" through our Christmas luncheons, birthday parties and unending support during my illnesses and single parenthood.

When I was offered the job as Property Evidence Technician, you brought to me "Threads of Confidence" knowing (or hoping) that I would create new systems and keep the evidence safe.

And then there are the police officers:

all of you talented people in Investigations.
The CSI guys and gals with your cool black and white shirts that say, "CSI"!
The patrol officers who are "always watching over me" (and my speed limit...and my tabs...and my seat belt!)
The mid watch, the dog watch officers who pass me coming in as I am going home
The sergeants, the captains, the Chief

You all have brought to me "Threads of Silver and Gold" that give sparkle to my life just by knowing you and working alongside you.

You are my heroes...you are the ones who get up in the morning, get dressed, go to work, save a life...or possibly 20 ... then go home, go to bed, get up the next morning and do it all over again. You are Exceptional People ... not only in your profession, but also in your heart.

And to finish off the rough edges of this "Tapestry of My Life" are my daughter Kathryn and her dad Peter. Kathryn has been my Olympic Gold Medal (if I knew how to run!!)... she is my Shining Star. And Peter has been my source of strength and my friend for 36 years.

I leave you feeling much loved and so proud that I belong to this special family. I wish you were all my daughters ... I wish you were all my sons. I will remember you all fondly and hold you close in my heart, for You are now woven permanently into "My Tapestry of Life."

By Barb Goerges, Retired
November 30, 2012

REMEMBERING ...

A LIFE WELL LOVED AND FULLY LIVED.

" LIFE IS A BLEND OF LOVE AND LOSS, BUT LOVE IS ALWAYS STRONGER "

When I was married to Peter Goerges, he would always tell me: "I only love three things in life: I love you, I love my work and I love soccer. And not necessarily in that order." Well, Peter, I beg to differ with you. Of course, that's not the FIRST time!!!

February 5, 1985

I know for a fact you loved your mother because when you teased her constantly and people would laugh at you, she would say in German, "If that monkey weren't mine, I'd laugh too!"

Johanna ("Oma") and Peter

Oma on her 85th birthday! She lived to be 92 years old!

I know you loved your brothers and sisters because you always talked about them and loved to visit with them.

Oscar, Hilda, Peter Lydia, Joe, Martha (seated)

Younger brother Oscar and Peter

And I know you loved your cousins because you couldn't wait to attend the monthly breakfasts with them.

I know you loved your first family consisting of Dorothy and the 7 kids because you gave the kids very special names that I know they treasure: those names are #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7! And on a certain day if #3 was good he got to be #1 for the day. I experienced that first hand when just last week a nurse asked Steve who he was and he answered, "I'm #2."

PJ, Kristine, Joe, Theresa, David, Rachel, Steve

David, Joe, Peter, Dennis (groom), Kristine, Dorothy (ex-wife), PJ, Theresa, Steve

And I know you loved your grandchildren and great-grandchildren because...who doesn't love them??

And I know you loved your second family consisting of me and Kathryn.

New Years Eve with Peter, Kathryn (4 days old!)

Kathryn, me and Peter on Kathryn's high school graduation

I know you loved me because once you agreed to dress up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse on Halloween, Mousekateer ears and all, and we won First Prize for Best Costume. And I was 7 months pregnant!

Yup, 7 months pregnant!

And I know I loved you because even though you gave me snow tires one year for Christmas...I still loved you. I was mad...but I still loved you. Other years you gave me large quantities of toilet paper...you didn't want me to run out!

I know you loved Kathryn because you taught her how to kick with her left foot ...

taught her how to referee the game of soccer...

traveled with her to 40 states ...

taught her how to dance...

and always compared with her who had the better legs! (You liked YOURS best!)

I know you loved to work because you were either working around the house...

or working as a heavy equipment operator with Ashbach Construction, or plowing snow at the tank farms at Ashland Oil.

I know you loved your friends from soccer...

John Korosec, Harry Tietz, Peter, (?) (?), Bob Nabel

Peter Goerges and Peter Draine (our Best Man)

and your "McFriends" from McDonalds. You loved visiting with them, competing with them, teasing them, just enjoying them.

I DEFINITELY know that you loved the ladies, young AND old, because everywhere I went with you, the women always knew you ... and always smiled!

Peter and Kathryn

Rebecca (neighbor), Peter and Kathryn

Daughters-in-law Mary and Betty

Daughter Rachel (#4) and Peter

Peter and "Friend" at Cub Foods

Kathryn and Peter going to Awards Dinner

Peter and Marge voted "King and Queen of Hearts" - 2014

One day as we walked into the cardiologist's office, as I entered, the receptionist said, "May I help you?" When you walked in, she said, "Hey Goerges Pete, how are you doing? You're sure looking good!" It continued at the bank, the insurance agency, the café, the restaurants, the grocery stores, the doctor's office...everywhere you went, the women smiled. I was chopped liver...you were the rock star... and you were 70 years old at the time!!!

And oh how you loved to dance!

You danced ...

and danced ...

... and danced!

And how I loved dancing with you too. You thought you were Elvis with those swivel hips...I thought you were Prince Charming!

And boy did you love to party ...

Peter and Joe (#1)

Peter and I at another Halloween party.

And you especially loved bugging people!

Peter and my niece Karyn Krahn

But EVERYONE knows that your true love, THE #1 LOVE IN YOUR LIFE, was soccer.
You played ...

Minneapolis Kickers Soccer Club

Over 30 Recreational League

You coached ...

you refereed ...

Alan Eidsness, Peter, Oscar (brother)

and you loved to talk soccer to anyone who would listen.

If they didn't like soccer when you started, you continued to talk until you won them over.

And if that wasn't enough, you also had soccer plates for your car...just in case you needed more soccer!!

In 1976, you we SO happy! (No, I didn't change my name to soccer!) The first professional soccer team, the Minnesota Kicks, came to Minnesota and you were the first in line for season tickets, right on the 50 yard line!

Superstar Pele and Minnesota Kicks star Ace Ntsolengoe

At the old Met Stadium ( a wonderful night !)

You often told me that if you had a million dollars you would buy a soccer team. At todays prices that would probably buy you two bratwurst and a beer, but you did have dreams, didn't you.

And how you loved the Kicks! So much so that you became the self-appointed cheerleader yelling out the infamous, "Sicca sacca, sicca sacca, hoy hoy hoy!" In fact, at our wedding reception as you yelled out that cheer, (much to the dismay of my father), my Scandinavian relatives yelled back, "Lutefisk, Lefse, ya ya ya. Barb and Peter, rah rah rah." Boy, did I have doubts that night!!

And how you dearly loved to referee the game of soccer. Whether it was high school games, college games, Over 30 games, back yard games with the kids, you loved every minute of it.

You often told me that you liked refereeing women's games the most because they smelled better than the boys did, and they also wore long underwear with cute little flowers on them!

(There's that love of women again!)

For all the love that you gave the game of soccer, it came back to you with numerous championships and awards:

1963 -- Certificate of Honor -- For significant contribution to soccer.
" The record you have established and your unselfish devotion
to this great sport will long be remembered."

1973 -- Outstanding devotion, promotion and development of soccer in the State of Minnesota.

1979 -- "In appreciation for your many years of dedicated service to soccer in Minnesota."
1979 -- Coach of the Year -- Minnesota Soccer Association
1979 -- 1st Division Champs -- Bloomington Soccer Club
1982 -- Coach of the Year -- Minnesota Soccer Association
1987 -- Voted into the Soccer Hall of Fame -- Minnesota State Soccer Association

1979 Coach of the Year -- 1987 Hall of Fame

1988 -- Over 30 Conference Champs -- Recreational Soccer League

Harry Tietz, Peter Goerges

However, one of the proudest moments that I know you loved was in 2012 when you received the award of excellence from the Minnesota State High School League for 43 Consecutive Years of Refereeing Soccer in the State of Minnesota. You were so proud that day and talked about it often...yup, to anybody who would listen!

Were you perfect? Not in my eyes you weren't! Often when I'd call and tell you the events of my day, if you were done listening you'd say, "Ok, say goodbye, Barb." I'd say, "But I'm not done talking yet!" Your answer? "I am. (click.) I thought you were so rude but you were so consistent that eventually it became a normal reaction from you.

And you're definitely not a great animal lover. When you'd come into the house and see my cat, you'd always say, "Hi, Ugly Dog!"

To sum it up, Peter, I know you loved MORE than three things: you loved LIFE ... you loved PEOPLE ... you loved KIDS ... you loved WORK ... you loved to EAT ... you loved to PLAY ... you loved to SING ... you loved to DANCE ... you loved to LEAD ... you loved to MOTIVATE ... you loved to COACH ... you loved to REFEREE ... you loved SOCCER ... you loved GOD ... you loved your COUNTRY ... YOU LOVED US ALL.

You were a powerful influence in my life, a wonderful father, and a constant friend for 38 years! For that I'll be forever grateful to you.

If I had one more day with you, I'd have only 4 words to say to you: "We love you too." And in your special romantic way, if you had one more day with me, I know you would say only 3 words to me:
"Say goodbye, Barb!"

IN MEMORY

On April 27, 2014 God called you home to be with your mother, your dad, your daughter Rachel ... and Elvis!! You worked hard...you played hard...you gave your heart to everyone and everything in your life ... and now it's time to rest.