The Mayor

Jim Shaffer was the Mayor of Wyaconda, Missouri for 30 years from 1971-2002.  Wyaconda had a populations of 227 in 2010.  Wyaconda is an Indian word meaning Great Spirit.  Jim was father to Kim Letner.  Bruce and Kim have always been some of my best friends.  Born on February 13, 1938, he entered his rest on Sunday March 31, 2019.

I got to know "the Mayor" mostly on Christmas Eve.  At midnight when all of the church services were over, we would gather, a bunch of us for a Christmas nightcap at either our house or our neighbor Stu and Marsha's.

It was a long day of church, and by the time that it was over everyone was ready to unwind.    The pressure of Christmas Eve was over.  Now we were just people, enjoying the gifts of life and love.  We would often stay up until 3am, telling stories and jokes and laughing.  Then we would put bicycles together for our children.

The Mayor was funny.  He was ornery.  He drew me in.  My parents were gone, maybe he filled a bit of that role for me.

I loved him.  I still do.

Thank you Jim for your life.  Thanks for who you are and for the children that you raised.  You truly were a great spirit.

Friends, hold your loved one's close.  It won't be Christmas Eve forever.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
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I am leading some trips this year and next. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Paris-Normandy River Cruise
October 23-31, 2019
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/rc19102319x17768#.W3avNFJK3cs

Holy Land Trip leaving January 20, 2020  $2998 from New York
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/HL20A-2.pdf