Over the hills and in the woods, to Elaine's house we go!!

This past weekend, after Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Andy and I headed north. We traveled up Hwy 281 to the small town of Millsap. There, we spent the weekend with my cousin Elaine and her family. I got Erin's middle name from Elaine because she is one of the sweetest people in my family, and I wanted my girl to take that from her. She has.

Elaine and Royce, who married while in high school, live in a little cluster of homes with their son and daughter and their families. All weekend, one person or another would walk in and visit or borrow something or bring over whatever it was that Elaine needed. And then, there were the father and son weiner dogs, Woody and Tag, who were very entertaining! The house smelled of delicious foods and the leaves blew softly down from the trees outside. It was peaceful.

On Saturday, we met up with Randall, Linda, Mike and Deeann for the reunion in Cool, Texas. It was a lovely little church down a windy road with the cemetery in back. Elaine's mother and stepfather are buried there. Andy disappeared, and I found him out back, visiting with Mike as he fried fish. Soon, lots and lots of other cousins showed up; some I know well - others, not. They all enjoyed seeing pictures of my brother and hearing about Liz, Bladen, Erin, Gregg, and Dana. After eating, we enjoyed a wonderful slide-show (power point) that Deeann had put together, and played some games. We had an auction to earn money for my aunt's scholarship fund, and then it was over.

Some of us returned to Elaine's for more visiting; Elaine brought out Mamaw's bible with all the history of our family in it; and then it time for them to go. We watched some sports until we couldn't stay awake any longer, and it was time for bed. The road home is always longer than the road there, but the scenery was magnificent - hills covered with leaves of many colors. We stopped along the way in Dublin, so Andy could replenish his supply of Dublin Dr. Pepper, and then headed home. It had been a great weekend.

Andy told someone Sunday night, that when he is with my family in Millsap, he wants to sell our house and move there. He loves them as much as I do, and we play with the notion. They remind me of my heritage and my family's worth and values. I am better with them. I feel grounded and peaceful.

So, thanks Deeann and Elaine for keeping us together as a family, even if it's only one weekend a year. I love you very much!!

The Cecelia Girls

Growing up, my mother and her sisters were called "the May girls". Feisty, flirty, smart, and beautiful - they were a force to be reckoned with. Nobody better ever try to split them up or cause them grief, for it was all-for-one in the truest form. They are all gone now, and their memories are strong within our family.

Yesterday, I met "the Cecelia girls" - 4 sisters eerily reminescent of my mother and her sisters. I spent the day of Thanksgiving with them - together for the first time since their mother's passing 3 years ago - one lives in Missouri, one in Lubbock, and two here. My dear friend Jackie invited us to spend the day, and it was a full one. I got to observe her in a whole new dynamic, and it was delightfully enlightening.

Raucous laughter, competitive games, serious discussion, lots and lots of teasing, and mostly, love. Lots and lots of love. I felt honored to be let in to such an intimate setting - nothing held back. I almost felt like one of them.

So, thanks Cecelia sisters for a great day - one I'll remember for a long, long time! I hope you return to Pleasanton very soon!!

It was twenty years ago today...

no, not Sergeant Pepper's band playing, but the loss of my dear dad. How can it be 20 years?!? After a long month of hospital visits, waiting rooms, and doctor consultations, my sweet dad slipped peacefully into the next life. I was with him just an hour before, and on that visit, he'd opened his eyes for the first time in a month and smiled at me. I know he knew me - just the recognition on his face is enough to make me sure. I left. He died.

And life has "gone on." The girls grew up, graduated from both high school and college. We built our home with his inheritance. Mom died. Erin met and married Gregg. Then Liz. Now Bladen. Dana is an established, respected teacher. Both girls are strong in their faith.

He would be so very proud of his kids. Gary has a wonderful life right now - well and strong. Marsha is married, with Casey grown and two little ones to raise; one named Calvin - Daddy's middle name. I completed a fullfilling career as a teacher, and am now happily retired. Andy is an elder. It's all worked out for the good.

I believe he is resting peacefully, awaiting the resurrection of the dead. I will see him at Christ's coming, and we will have a great reunion. Until then, I will just have to miss him.

It's that time again!!

Peanuts, mold, cedar; whatever... it's back. I can't seem to get used to the coughing from November to March as I get older - and now it is interfering with my worship!! Yesterday, I was able to sing about one verse from each song, so I picked my favorite one; if it was a favorite song, I'd get through the whole song and skip the next one. Sure hampers my praise!!

Next stop; the doc. Surely I'll be better by Sunday!!