ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Today is such a big anniversary in my life that I just felt I had to record it - not just for the ones reading this blog, but for my own self. One year ago today, April 17th, I moved from Freda Villa to this apartment at Aventura at Indian Lake in Hendersonville. I know that I have made many references in past blogs about this event but today it really hit me. What is it about One Year Anniversaries that brings such big thoughts to one's mind? I remember when Billy died all of the girls called me to speak about "One Year Ago Today". When different things in my life have occurred that "One Year Ago Today" always seemed to be a big deal. Well, to just make a point I will say that a good decision was made a year ago. I have no regrets. In fact I have nothing but good things to say about living here. I know that I have made remarks about "no neighbors", "nobody speaks", etc. but just to tell you the truth I suppose that one year does make a difference because just today I saw my neighbor in the Loft Building next to me (his name is Clay) and he told me that he and his wife, Amber, keep an eye on me when I am walking Houston or when I go in and out with my car. He is a huge guy with big tattoos all up and down his arm and he rides his motorcycle with loud noises but he really touched my heart with his message because I had no idea he cared enough to give me a thought - much less to say that he "watched out for me". Don't you think that is grand? I feel that, even though we don't sit and chat and have coffee like the Freda Villa bunch, I do, indeed, have a neighbor. Anyway, my life is so much simpler here. My freedom is so much greater. Yes, my expenses are more it seems but somehow I seem to make it okay. Houston and I have a good, quiet, solid life and I am doing well. Last week on Saturday, April 9th, I went to the loveliest birthday party for my friend, Peggy Bomar, who turned 80 years of age. Believe me when I tell you that she does not look 80 nor does she think like some 80 year old women do, nor does she act like an 80 year old. She is fun and happy and cheerful and we love to talk about our days at East High when she and I were cheerleaders and she played basketball. Our lives took entirely different paths after school and it is so much fun now that she has married an East High Alum and lives right here in the apartments and we see each other often. The party was attended by many old friends and one of them was a friend of my daughter, Kim. In fact her name is Kim also. She is such an interesting, intelligent, beautiful woman now practicing in the medical profession. Who would have ever thought that this fun-loving teenager that rode around cruising Shoneys with my Kim would turn out to be such a fascinating and delightful woman? I am so proud of her, and my Kim, and it just "made my day" to get to visit with her. Peggy and I have spent quite a bit of time reminiscing over that great party. Last night I went to First Baptist Church in Hendersonville to the Easter Musical Program and Drama. I have been to almost all of their productions through the years at Easter and Christmas but I have never witnessed such a powerful and emotional program as this one. It was titled Mercy Seat and the bottom line was that all of us, at some time in our lives (many times for me) have been allowed to receive God's mercy for all of the inappropriate things that we do daily. It is our privilege to sit in the Mercy Seat that none of us actually deserve but as I have told you so many times in this blog God is good - all the time.

Good morning everyone,

I have my list made for things I need at the grocery. I have my prescriptions in my pocket book for getting my medicine. I should be on my way to running errands. However, as I was preparing green beans for cooking and doing things to straighten up my house, I had so many random thoughts going through my mind that there is no way I can refuse to write them down.

First and foremost - the storm last night was really a "raging demon" in my estimation. The wind was ferocious, the lightning so bright, the thunder deafening and to top it all off no electricity for TV or reading or anything to get your mind off of what was going on outside. I do believe that God had intentions for that. I do believe that He wanted me to sit still and listen and know that He is in control. If that is what He had in mind - believe me it worked. During all of this I realized that daughters are just the best thing that happens to mothers. I have four of them and each one is so precious to me. First of all Ray called - not a daughter but a wonderful son-in-law - and told me that he and Nita were going to Corinne's house in Gallatin where there was electricity and TV for the Big Basketball Game. I agreed to go. Then I began to think about leaving and decided that I would stay here. Nita called to say they were on their way to get me and it might be some time because of traffic conditions being so bad. I told her that I wasn't going. She thought I should and that I was making a mistake to stay here but being an understanding daughter of my old-age personality, she didn't argue and they left for what they thought would be a simple drive to Gallatin. Wrong on that account!!! Then Tracey called and even though they had no electricity she wanted to come and get me and we would just "hang out" at her house. I thanked her but declined. Kim was so upset over the no electricity thing that she gave me the ultimatum that if I didn't have electricity by 7:00 she was coming after me and Houston. I told her that I had been invited to be rescued by her sisters and I had no intention of leaving here. Thankfully, the lights came on at 6:45PM. The point I am making here is that all of my daughters were right there with offers of help and their offering was not obligatory but with love. Could I ask for more than that? I told Barbara about it and she told me that of her four sons she had not received a phone call. Difference between daughters and sons? I'll say!!! Each time I had a baby and Billy would want a boy so badly and we would be given a baby girl I know now that it was God's plan that we hear about and realize as we get older.

Kim put the pictures on this blog of the wedding for your enjoyment. I can tell you that I was so happy at that wedding. Patrick is such a special man to me. He spent so much time at our house while he was growing up that he is almost like my own son. He always came by on Banquet nights to let me see him and his date, he never forgot a Mother's Day or Birthday - either a card or a phone call. We have spent our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day times together. Of course, all of this will change now and I wouldn't have it any other way. I will love Mikka as a granddaughter and I adore Joesea as a great-granddaughter. I suppose that you noticed Patrick's shoes that he wore - tennis shoes!!! What do you thing Billy Cline, the men's shoe expert of the shoe business, would say to that? Wow, I'm glad I didn't have to hear it. Patrick is wearing Billy's wedding ring and I am delighted that he still has his PaPa close to him. They were real buddies and the love that they shared is unequaled. Yes, the wedding is over and now we, as a family of many people and many personalities, will move on to other things. Whatever that may be remains to be seen but I'm sure that it will be wonderful. God has always provided strength and love to us when we needed it the most. It is such a comfort to know that God is good - all the time.