Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 10:43PM I'm contemplating returning to this blog. I recall how much it meant to me during my darkest days and weeks. Being able to put my feelings into words was a very therapeutic thing to me. Having just re-read so many of my posts, I now realize how much I had forgotten after 4/3/07. Grief, dark cold fear, depression, sorrow...I remember well, however. Maybe soon I can post a happy, uplifting writing.
Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 11:28AM 
I went to bed last night laughing to myself over this wonderful old photograph of Paula, Patsy, Buddy, Jerry, Mike, Coy, Kathy, Debbie and me with Grandaddy and Grandma on Easter Sunday. Not one of us was happy to have to stand still for one more minute just to have our picture taken. There is truly no telling how many were taken before this one was saved for posterity. Our grandparents were our true rocks, our constant companions. (We'll not go into the details behind that statement.) Today, based on this picture, I can see that this was one year Grandma chose all of our Easter outfits. Oh, the money spent - not only did we have to have new dresses, slips, pants, ties, hats , but also gloves and socks and shoes!
But, the reason I went to bed laughing is that we had to be color-coordinated with our grandparents' Easter suits. Oh, so many precious memories.
P.S., now I recall why I have never said blue was my favorite color. Hope you all enjoy this photograph of the pouts and tears. Still laughing.
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:14PM
When Tom and I first moved to Dillon, my long distance telephone bill was over $300 a month back before cell phones with unlimited calling. I was often so homesick, I cried. Reverend Dr. John Bumgardner told me that although I didn't know why, that God had sent me to Dillon for some reason. Throughout the years, many things have made me recall his wise comment. Today, I realized that one reason I moved to Dillon County was to meet Legrand Rogers and his family. Of course, I didn't know that back in 1992.
I cannot number the hoursspent in Floydale sitting on the Rogers' front porch talking politics, weather, personal problems, and whatever else came along during the talks with Legrand. I met him when I first moved to Dillon because he was a bailiff at the Dillon County Courthouse. I had known him for several years. Then, through another friend, I met his wife Margaret, and his daughter Cheryl. Cheryl's friends and cousins then became part of the ever expanding circle. Soon after Sanders' death, the Rogers family became as much a part of my family as mine did to theirs. My family is grieving over Legrand's death. I can't write much tonight - but, this afternoon I spent sitting on that porch in Floydale, in his chair, talking with Margaret, Cheryl, Bryan, Brenda...and looking out at the same fields which Legrand and I did.
I know he is smiling down at us and telling us we shouldcontinue to spend many hours, too, looking at the trees, the birds, discussing the wild boar and deer, lingering over coffee.
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 9:44PM May 21, 2009, would have been Sanders' 35th birthday. My nephews, Chuck Stanley and Chris Stanley; Chuck's children: Charli, Porter and Noah; my sister Debbie and brother-in-law, Chuck, and I went to beautiful Lake Winnebago, which is only blocks from their homes. There in that beautiful place we celebrated Sanders' birthday. I will never forget it. Charli told me that I should know that God would catch the balloons and give them to my son up in Heaven. When the last balloon was almost out of sight, Porter walked over to me and said, "It kind of breaks your heart to let them go, doesn't it?" I replied, "Yes, it does."
All of this was caught on video by my nephews. Go to my Facebook page...turn up your volume and if you listen very carefully, around the 40 second mark, you'll hear Porter's question. Thank you, my loving family for caring for me and for having loved Sanders.
O
