12-08-03 Jim Wrote:

Hello Rosenbergers,

Its hard to believe its our turn to write again. First we have a few Thank yous in order. First we would like to thank Phil and Pat for keeping J.R. over night so we could spend some time alone with our older boys. We had a great time. We took them down to Dave and Busters in Philadelphia for the night. A great place to go with older kids or friends. We played arcade games and played pool. The arcade games were not your traditional games. Brandon played this computerized boxing game where you actually stand on a mat and have to move your whole body while boxing. There are computerized sensors so it even knows if you ducked out of the way of a punch. It was quite a workout. In the end it even told you how many calories you burned.

Secondly thank you Jo for the supply of books! They are always appreciated!
Thirdly thank you to Mary for getting our children off of the bus when we needed to attend a funeral. From Ashton: My cheerleading squad got invited to a compitchon we are all excited!!! We have pratice at east swamp charch and at work out plus. Are compitchon is in Jaunary. There are 30 girls in my squad!!!!!!!!!!! Next week i am sining up for field hocky.. Dana said she will help out and be coatch!!!!!!! Dance is great I am inpruving alot!!I do Lyickyle and Jazz!!!!!!!!
YOUR CUZZIN
ASHTON

The first marking period Devon got high honors on his report card. it only took him 11 years to realize he was capable of it! Better late than never. (Alan, doesn't high honors receive more compensation?) Anyway, the bus project needs a foreman, any volunteers? Dana is still top priority, nothing wrong with that, it could be worse.. His snowboarding will start next month for school. They go to Blue every Thursday.( p.s. Alan you were formally notified). Speaking of skiing, Ashton gets to ski for free this entire season. All 4th graders in Pa. get 63 passes for the year. How great is that?

Brandon had another tragedy on Thanksgiving morning. He found out his best friend from High School was killed in a car accident that previous evening. He just buried a college friend 2 months ago also. This is his 3rd funeral for a friend under 21 years of age in 2 years. His 6th funeral, three others under the age of 53. He spent the entire time with Jim's family. Sleeping over and being there for his parents and siblings whenever they needed anything. At times we see Brandon still finding himself still looking for direction. Other times we look at him and see such strength and compassion for other people that you can't help but be in awe of his ability to lead people when they need to be led. He was a pallbearer, and also wrote and read the eulogy. Earlier he mentioned every teenager should have experienced what he had that week. There is nothing more compelling than holding your best friends father as he mourns his son. Again showing more strength than any other 20 year old could handle. We have bragged about his writing, but the eulogy was great. What was the most powerful moment was after the eulogy and he spoke to the packed church of college students openly. He told us prior that he was going to send a strong message, and the reaction from the people in the church would prove how effective he was. Jims death was alcohol related, his parents spoke openly about not letting it happen again. Brandon spoke from his heart. He had power, he had strength, he had comitment, and he had drive. He was given a mission. Till he was done those college student were histerical. They got the message. At least for a while. He didn't need a microphone, you could have heard him next door. When he needed to make a point he pounded his fist on the podium. All of the mothers in that room could have said the same things. But it needed to come from one of them, one they all knew and respected. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the 2 other funeral notices and showed their faces and told them never to forget. A night of binging is not worth a lifetime of memories. That was a day as parents we will never forget.

On another note, this letter is late because we needed to go clean off Grammy's car and shovel out the parking lot. We worked our tails off! but supper was great!(ha Ha)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night..
Vicki, Jim and crew