It was just the kind of hail and farewell Mike Rouse would have loved, and we thank you all for joining us on July 20, 2013, or for contributing stories, photos and songs in absentia to the website. How fortunate we were to have Michael’s old friends, the Judge and the Rev (Dave Prince and Bill Leslie) presiding at the gravesite in Westfield, N.Y.. It was a fine service, and the few drops of gentle rain (consult your Shakespeare) and the slight passing breeze that marked its conclusion can only be seen as signs of approbation. Backstory: The forecast was dire, and indeed, Friday night brought rain and serious bouts of thunder. The Y had made its drawing room available as an alternate site, and cousin Jeff had suggested the Legion and even offered to stand in the rain and direct traffic. When Saturday turned out to be perfect -- no rain, and pleasantly cool after the week’s early scorchers -- maybe it wasn’t a miracle, but it definitely was a blessing. So many of you made special efforts to be with us. Miles were racked up by cousin Beverly from California; daughter/niece Mary from Indiana by way of Texas, where she picked up her mother; daughter/niece Cindy from Florida; and a troop of Illinois and Virginia Abbeys (Mark, Steve, Pam, Tess, Mike, Olivia). . . ..Patsy and Bill (Stowell), Marge, and Norma and Jim (Tallon) are all New Yorkers, but drove in that day from their homes several hours east. . . . Michael’s Fredonia school buddies spanned the distance in decades: Dave, Larry, John, Dennis and Marie, Jim (Henssler) . . .The Westfield cousins (Pat, Rod and Lorraine, Neal and Marilyn, Marybelle, Fran) came out in force, a heartening reminder of the family ties and Westfield memories we share. . . .And then there were the special longtime friends of one or another of us: Ann and Tony, Dede, Doe, Judy, Wally. Thanks to granddaughters/great-nieces Olivia and Tess for greeting everyone and managing the guest book at The White Inn in Fredonia, to Judy for taking photos at the luncheon, to sons/nephews Mark and Mike for leading the program, and especially to everyone who shared the really wonderful stories. Michael’s son Doug couldn’t be with us (that would be Col. Douglas Rouse, MD, USAF, and aren’t we proud), but his mom, Marge, brought two photo portraits of his accomplished and truly beautiful family. The autographed orange softball and the Bible, too, will take their places in the family archives. And how about Jim T. belting out “People Gotta Be Free” with Mark, while the rest of us joined in gamely, in a chorus best described as white noise? Talk about a grand finale. So to you all, many thanks. It’s hard for us to believe that no Rouses have lived in Western New York since 1968, because it sure felt like coming home. Patricia Shirley Marilyn Kay Sharon To view Judy's photos, type into your search bar: www.pbase.com/chalake/sharon Album is called Sharon. Password is Michael.