Oktoberfest!

November 6, 2010 - Oktoberfest, Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA.
The annual Rilling celebration of Oktoberfest included most of the Claus siblings and cousins.  It was the first time since the diagnosis that we saw family and it seemed as if they were looking to us to know how to be.  We were still in shock and did our best to be, I don't know...  accepting?  Nancy couldn't hug Jeff because she might cry.  I suspect others of our gang suffered the same fear.

I was in the ladies room when The Chicken Dance began.  The family hit the dance floor and Nancy worried that I would miss this very important part of the evening.  I made it to the dance floor in time!  Dancing with the family felt like a dance of solidarity.  Powerful, that Chicken Dance!

Jeff's quest for the title of Strong Man at Oktoberfest was once again put to the test.  He was reluctant to participate since he wanted to be assured of a win.  Last year he'd come in second but the score sheet was misread and another man was announced as the second place winner instead of Jeff.  He was given a belated prize and an apology but no announcement was made of his success.  He wanted to be publicly acknowledged for his strength.  Bist Du Stark?  Yes!  This year he held first place until late in the evening when another man held the pitcher of lead shot for one second longer than Jeff and stole first place from him!  Still, he was the man to beat and Keith made sure the organizers of the event saw his name and time, 3 minutes and 45 seconds, by drawing a star next to his dad's name.  Keith took first place for the under 21 age group.  We had two strong men to celebrate.  When Jeff's name was about to be announced, the cousins all began a drum roll on their table.  The love and support was palpable.  Awesome!