Redistribution of the weight PROBLEM

                                                Abbie and Lloyd Geertz

Dad just wanted to solve the problem logically and discreetly.
But Mom couldn't keep quiet.

It was David and Deby's wedding in the 70s so DAD had the job of picking up all the wedding guests in his light blue van. I had helped Dad build a wooden bed for the "way back" with hinges so that it opened up (kinda like a coffin). Dad "stowed" (He LOVED THAT WORD) life jackets and tools and other junk/treasure, depending on how you looked at it. Dad always loved things that served multiple purposes so our contraption, which had a thick cushion, served as storage and a cozy bed or a seat for 3 people. 

Mom and Dad, Bobby and I all dressed up and picked up Mom's cousins Ellen and Gladys. as well as Gladys's daughter, Valerie, to go to the wedding. But soon, Dad encountered a problem. 

It was difficult to steer because we weighted down the van on the driver's side.

Ellen weighed 350 lbs and her sister Gladys weighed 300 lbs. The "way back" seat held all the portly people and the only ones to counter-balance the weight consisted of 12-year-old Bobby (in the passenger seat) and tiny Valerie.

Dad maneuvered the van and we made it to the wedding, but he surreptitiously pulled Mom aside at the service. He would NEVER want to hurt anyone's feelings, but he needed to solve this issue. 

He explained the problem to her and he wanted her to

 try to"redistribute the weight." 

Dad wanted to keep things quiet, but Mom couldn't help herself. Pretty soon everyone was laughing about Dad's problem. Ellen and Gladys both were in hysterics. His plan of wanting to solve the problem LOGICALLY and QUIETLY sadly was met with much amusement. We still laugh about the weighted down, uneven van ride. I felt bad for DAD. His intentions were so good.

Cousin Ellen Hamilton Slater and Elsie Kennet. Ellen had a very contagious hearty laugh. She just cracked up and it seemed 
you could hear it for miles! This picture doesn't even 
capture how large she was at 350 lbs. It was sad.

Amy Geertz holds little Shamus Brennan, Jan talks to 
Gladys Hamilton Leaper and Aunt Elma. (maybe taken around 1975 or 1976??)