keepingintouch

Through my eyes...

Oh, what an important day was coming into my future! For months before it was to happen your mother prepared for her little girl, all grown up, to have a wedding day that she would never forget. Even I had to have a trial dress run!

These are some of the special moments I recall...

Oh, what a GLORIOUS Day it was!

Arriving at your venue, Samary Plantation, was breathtaking. The long drive through the plantation was just a preview of what was in store for us.

The very sky seemed excited about the day!

And everyone wanted to see the events unfold! (Look carefully for the geese coming over the hill.)

Terrence wheeled me down to take my
place on the bride's side of the aisle.

Everyone was meeting and greeting with love and gladness.

Details, details, details!

An old fashioned buggy held treasures brought by some of your guests.

Little fairy like lamps hung, lighting the pathway you and Nate were soon to walk.

I was placed in front of an ancient tree where more beautiful lanterns hung. It made me act like the tree and feel strong and wise too...

Full of pride that I was once again going to be able to welcome a new member into our family.

Louis brought my precious daughter, your mother, into view. She had waited for this moment for a long time and I think I was as proud for her, at that moment, as she was for you.

With music keeping them in time, the bridal party slowly came down the aisle to prepare Nate, and all of us there, to witness your grand entrance!
A last, there your were, in all your beauty, walking to take your place beside your mate, but stopping to share a heart moment with your mother that she will never forget.

Your minister shared with you and Nate his wisdom and obvious love.

He married you, right there in front of the hitching post! You kissed to seal your self-written vows.

Then, OH did we party! First in the barn for appetizers...

then to the bigger barn for an elegant sit-down dinner!

You showed me your beautiful bouquet that dangled with pictures of loved ones, dear to your heart, who had left for heaven before they could witness this happy day. They were indeed there in spirit because you brought them inside you!

We shared a table together with your new husband and your mother and Louis, among other family members.

Another endearing moment came when you received a call of good wishes from my far away, adopted grandson in California.

Your perfect wedding cake was near where I was seated.

So I got to watch you cut and feed it to your new husband. You looked so happy.

Your brothers looked so happy...

as they celebrated you and danced proudly with you, showing their love.

I watched with a tired body but was mesmerized with the magic of it all.

At last Cinderella's carriage had to go home; but know that I am so glad I could witness your wedding day.

Please bring Nate and stop by often and be happy, "as time goes by", just as Papa and I were.

I love you.

Nana
(pictures by Merry)

SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2012

FROM BEGINNING TO THE END

In 1942 this handsome Senior boy walked over to my seat in Study Hall and grinned down at me - - then helped himself to half of my seat. During those few minutes that Miss Amy allowed him to sit there , he told me he was dating a girl in Lebanon but was going to break up with her that week-end and wanted to call me. That was December 21st, l942 and our first date was New Year's eve Dec.31. 1942. Today July 15, 2012 and 67 years later I am still just as much in love with his precious heart as when mine stopped that day as I saw him turn up my aisle. The ecstasy may have passed somewhat but it was replaced by something greater, because what was in part became whole. We then spent sixty years in love and raising a loving family.

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

A few days at Springland and...

Judy showers me with love and fluffs me with pretty...

My vacation this summer - - five days at Springland, with Judy and Louis. Yes, indeed they fluffed and prettied me all five days. Louis enjoyed the Braves games with me each day, and Judy kept the flowers from her garden in every room. Her hydrangea bushes have been outstanding. She is enjoying growing Zinnias. Special things fit for a Queen - - Special baths and showers with a chaperone - -great meals prepared especially for me - -warm chats on the porch late at night - - special treats brought to my bedroom, for the times I wake up and work a puzzle or two. - -special prayer time together at my bedside, prayer for Judy's children and decisions they are making, and prayer for our entire family and church family. Aloha and Aloha! Hello and Goodbye.

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2012

SIX HUNDRED

We just call it 600.

It was 1959 when Interstate Life transferred Leonard from Cookeville to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After staying at the Old James K. Polk Hotel for a week while looking for a house, we saw a sign board, right across the front door of 600 that said, “For Rent”. We looked at it and visited with the owners, Baxter and Frances Hobgood, that night. The Hobgoods fell in love with our precious children, and rented the house to us for $75.00 a month.

The house was near a good grammar school, the square where we both worked and was only five blocks from church. During the years we were living there, we offered, from time to time, to buy the house; but Mrs. Hobgood would not sell, even when she went into a nursing home. We lived here 40 years before she agreed to sell us her childhood home.

We had lots and lots of our children's friends here and many slumber parties. One slumber party found 100 boys and girls here until midnight and 65 girls spending the night, bedded down in sleeping bags all over the house.

There were chandeliers in every room and we lost several globes during yo-yo season when the children were in there early teens.

Our family has increased from 6 to 57 in the past 53 years since we came to 600. Family gathering have filled the house with joy and love each holiday during all of those years.

The painters have just given 600 a new facelift. They did a marvelous job, it looks ready for another half century of fellowship. Our home will always be remembered as the childhood home to my children rather than the quaint little five room house where we lived when they were all born, or in Cookeville where we spent two fun years.

This is a rather big house for one little old lady, but I have a good alarm system, and feel very safe here with my memories. I am pictured above waving to Merry as she heads home after a few days visit. I feel so lucky to be able to stay here for this long and I am indeed fortunate to have three awesome children who love me and make sure I have everything I need.

Yes, again I say, thank God for the wonderful gift.

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012

A Mother's Day Invasion of Queentalks!

I am invading Queentalks with thoughts of love and devotion for our Mother, in honor of Mother's Day.

Titus 2:4 says, train younger women "to love their husbands and children...to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." ...You set an example to us of these things and we continue to strive to live up to the standard.

Proverbs 19:18 tell us to, "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope"...we have indeed experienced that hope many times.

In Proverbs (31:28) the Bible says, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her". ...We do and he did.

Like your mother before you, may we continue to pass on what you have taught us.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama

With love from,

Merry

June the 8th was a wonderful day at Springland! The Uncle, was surprised with a celebration complete with family, friends from the past, original poems, terrific and sincere roast and stories from the past, singing, a terrific fireworks display, money tree and lots of chicken curry casserole ! Uncle Ken, we all hope you were showered with love and appreciation of all that you have meant to each one of us. Without your effect on our lives we would not be the special and unique family we are. We all love you and thank you for enriching the Floyd, Patton, Harvey, Dorris, Kopp, and Booth families! Your life has touched our lives in so many ways and we are so grateful and blessed to call you father, brother, Uncle and friend! We thank God for your life and all that you mean to us all!!