Special Event

I can hardly make myself believe it, but my granddaughter, Courtney, is really and truly going to graduate from high school a year from now. I knew it, we have talked about school and college interests and other related subjects but, today, it became a reality. Why? Because during a casual conversation with Tracey she told me that she was trying to get away from work to meet Courtney at the studio for her senior picture appointment, and if I wanted to observe to feel free to come. At that moment it didn't register to me that this was a special event so I really didn't listen to the directions nor the photographer's name. Then, as if a light went on in my head I wheeled my car around, got on the road to Hendersonville and began to call to find out where to find them. I made it after several wrong turns and attempts to find the studio. I am so glad that I did. I was privileged to see Courtney in the drape picture and two of the casual shots. There were many photos to be taken - a couple of casual outfits and even a soccer uniform (complete with soccer ball). I have no idea when they finished. The thing that made this so special to me was, not just that this is the beginning of a lot of really special events that will take place in the next year even though that is important. The most special thing about it was watching Courtney and Tracey interacting through the entire process. Courtney, even though she appears to be very independent, and she is, really relied upon her mother's opinion of her hair, the way her blouse looked, was her jewelry okay and many other small things that showed this very special bond that the mother and daughter share. That is what is most important. The bond between mothers and daughters is such a beautiful thing. I have some friends who are not bonded in love and respect and admiration for each other and I have to say that I feel very sorry for them. I know what people say about me "you never had a son so you just don't know " and they are correct. Maybe if a son had been born to me I would be just as close to him. I just know that my mother always said that the adage of "your son's a son till he takes a wife, but your daughter's your daughter all of your life" hangs pretty true for most of the women with sons that I know.

My daughter, Kim, will be having surgery in a couple of days and I wish that I could swap places with her. However, that is not the way it will be so I will just have to hand her over to God and He will take care of her during the surgery. Then, I will go and take care of her during her recovery and it will be a labor of love. Actually, it will be just a turn around of favors - for many years she has taken care of me, my wants, my needs and sometimes anticipated my wants and needs before I did. During the time that she will not be able to communicate on her Blog I will post daily information here so that everybody can know how she really is. So, if you will just log on here I will keep you up-to-date as best that I can.

LEGACY

Today, while watching all of the hoopla over Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson I heard the word Legacy mentioned over and over. The legacy that she leaves is strength, etc. The legacy that he leaves is his influence in the music and entertainment industry. So I thought to myself what legacy will I leave? I really can't say what that will be but I can say what I hope it will be. I hope that my children will be proud of the way I lived my life. I hope that my children will look back at their childhood and say it was good growing up in our family. Sure I made a bunch of mistakes but as I have said before everything that I did while rearing my girls was what I thought was right at the time. Looking back on it I'm not so sure it was but I thought it was. Frankly, I think a pretty good job was done because they are a good bunch of women that are producing generations of children and grandchildren. Sometimes I am amused to see and hear them doing and saying things that I said to them. They even say "because I said so that's why" and that was something they each have told me that they would never say to their children. History does repeat itself and that's a fact. I hope that I will leave a legacy of humor and good fun because my life has been a real fun trip. Being married to Billy Cline was a road with lots of turns and twists and never dull for sure. We weathered a bunch of storms and we walked in a lot of sunshine. It is quite a feat to see a guy in junior high school that you think is great and as mother would say "I set my cap for him", and had him in my life for many years. I hope that it will be said that I could put a meal together at the drop of a hat and enjoyed serving friends and family. I hope that it will be said that I loved unconditionally. I hope that it will be said that I was a true friend to my friends. When we are travelling the road of life we do and say and act impulsively sometimes and goodness knows we all wish we could take back some of our words and actions. But as Meg Ryan said in the movie, When Harry Met Sally, "once they're out there, they're out and you can't take them back". Kinda like toothpaste - once you squeeze the tube and the toothpaste comes out there just is no way of putting it back. I hope my legacy will be that my words were pretty good most of the time. For now I think I have said enough and I hope not too much. What about your legacy? Think about it as you make decisions. When you are gone your legacy will still be here. Scary isn't it?

THE TRIP THAT TOPS THEM ALL

My last post told you of the upcoming trip to Destin, Florida with Kim and Patrick. Today I will pretend that I am in Trip Education 101 and report what I gained in knowledge from the trip. I learned that three people can cram an awful lot of "stuff" in a trunk of a car, including a guitar, when packing for a 5 day trip. I learned that a scrambled egg with crisp bacon and a biscuit sure tastes a lot better at Cracker Barrel on a trip than it does in my kitchen. I learned that if the person holding the driving instructions dozes off for 10 minutes the driver will miss an exit and a turn-around has to be accomplished. I learned that unpacking all of that "stuff" takes a lot of time and energy and makes you wonder just what you were thinking of to bring 10 shirts, 4 pairs of slacks, a couple of other outfits, 4 bathing suits, 5 pairs of sandals not to mention all of the "unmentionables". I learned that when you go to the Winn-Dixie to buy a "short list of things that we will use" it adds up to $100.00 real quick - and we didn't even buy ice cream. I learned that margaritas made by a grandson and served at the pool taste better than any I ever had. I learned that watching Patrick and Sue Evans para sail over the Gulf was fun, exciting and something that was fun for them and a big "no-no" for me. I don't like heights and especially if my feet are dangling down over miles and miles of water. I learned that sitting on the beach under an umbrella and walking in the sand still gives me such pleasure and such joy. I guess that the greatest lesson I learned was that to be blessed to spend time with my daughter and my grandson from morning until night for 5 days is a priceless gift that can never be repaid nor forgotten. We talked and laughed and joked and teased and ate that good seafood. Patrick made lunch every day and served us on the patio and I'm telling you that a ham sandwich, pickles, chips and coke never tasted that good before nor will it ever taste that good again. I learned that my daughter, Kim, is the strongest person I know. She pushed herself beyond all endurance to shop, swim, go to restaurants, take a million pictures of every single event and never complained nor changed any plans to accommodate her pain. She was there to take it all in and that she did. We all did. Oh yes, one more thing I learned - it makes you very nervous to have a driver going 75 miles an hour, texting friends, reading messages, dipping and spitting all with headphones on playing crazy music. However, I will say that he got us there and he got us back and here I am telling you that of all my trips to Destin, Florida through the years, all the memories that have been made there, all the events that have taken place there, this little 5 day day trip with Kim and Patrick just tops them all. The thing I really learned is to Carpe Diem - Seize the Day - Everyday that the Lord gives us is a gift to be savored.

RAMBLING THOUGHTS

Today is VACATION EVE and am I excited? You bet. Will I have a good time? No doubt about it. Corinne has checked the weather website and it looks like 90 and 88 degrees all week with a 10% chance of rain. There is always a 10% chance of rain there so who cares? Not I. I am serving notice to the Shrimp in Florida to look out because I intend to pig out on shrimp. Can't wait to go to The Back Porch and have seafood nachos! Most of all I will get to spend five entire days with Kim and Patrick. I can not remember ever having that privilege before. We began, may years ago, talking about Kim, Patrick and I taking a trip to Cancun. Patrick had no idea where that was nor did he care but he was willing to go. We never made it to Cancun but Destin is just as exciting to us and also we are familiar with the town and what it has to offer so it all worked out for the best. You know, things really always work out for the best if we are willing to wait and be patient and trust that it will. That is the hardest thing in life to do - wait and be patient. I was never good at it but as I grow older and, hopefully, wiser I see the virtue in waiting and being more patient. The many times that I have jumped to conclusions and planned and thought about what might happen usually turned out quite different and I could have saved all that energy. I see younger people making all of these elaborate plans for what they are going to do and how they are going to tend to things and I smile to myself and think "maybe so but maybe not". We are not able to look ahead and see what the end result to a problem is going to be - that is God's ability. I'm not saying we should just sit back and let things happen without doing our part and planning and getting ready for situations is part of that scenario, however, we are not the ones that make the final decisions. When I used to watch The Millionaire and he would say with such authority "is that your final answer" I would think that they were being awful hard and leaving no chance for change. It had to be that way on the TV show, but it doesn't have to be that way in life. As I have said in this blog before, the only constant thing in the world is change. Aren't we glad that God gives us the ability to change our ways, our way of thinking, our desires and our total outlook on life? If you use another synonym for change it could be maturity. The more we mature the more we change.

This week I have been privileged to have Emily with Anni and Maddux and Leslie with Connor, Cannon and Cord to come and spend time at my house between swimming lessons and we had lunch together. It is so good to be able to sit and listen to the children as they interact with each other and the things they say and do. The days of hearing "that's mine", "he hit me", "I don't like him/her" seem to be over. Now they play together, watch movies together, talk to each other and each one is maturing at a very fast rate - even Cord as he struggles to keep up with the others. I have observed them hugging each other spontaneously which I think is remarkable.

Yesterday I went with Kim to Vanderbilt for her PET Scan and going down that hall and into that area was like going back in time. The times that I made that route with Billy. There is such a kind, sweet atmosphere among the workers there. Kim was treated with such warmth even when she told the nurse that she had better get the blood with one stick. Talk about pressure! It worked and she only had one stick and we all had a good laugh. I don't know what the test will produce in the way of knowledge but I do know this that whatever it is and whatever has to be done will be taken care of. I know that God is in control in Heaven and Dr. Netterville is in control here and Kim's family will circle up, hold hands, count off like we do when we have our family gatherings and every single member will be there to pray her through.

FIX IT

I haven't written on this blog in quite a while. As a matter of fact I haven't done much of anything in quite a while. As you know, and as everybody knows. when you become a mother one of the responsibilities that comes with that position is to "fix it". Maybe it is a boo boo on the finger that is held up and needs Neosporin ointment and a band-aid, maybe it is a bloody nose that needs a cold wet rag and a few minutes of time, or maybe it is a break-up with a boyfriend that needs some arms to hold and a shoulder on which to shed tears - whatever the case may be moms are supposed to be able to "fix it". When Kim was diagnosed with that dreaded C word I realized that I just can't fix it. So, I took to the sofa - wrapped up in a soft blanket and just slept and wept and did nothing. I cancelled appointments that I had. I let phone calls go to the answering machine. I would go sit in my swing for hours and do absolutely nothing. Boy, was I in the bluest funk. All of this time, however, I was praying. I prayed for Kim to have complete healing. I prayed for me to have strength and guess what.....I woke up Saturday morning with a completely new attitude, a stronger body and mind and it was like I had the promise that is given in Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" It goes on to promise that "we will soar on wings like eagles and will run and not grow faint." Prayer answered. Hallelujah!!! So now that I am back into the land of the living I am still distraught that I can't fix it, but I am here for whatever service I can give. A tube of Neosporin and a band aid won't fix Kim's disease but God is up there in Heaven with the biggest old tube of love and grace to pour on her and that is what will "fix it".

From reading Kim's blog this morning it sounds like those girls of mine sure did have a great time last night - dinner, flowers, bracelet and I can imagine the talk, talk, talk and laughter mixed in and also some tears. They really enjoy being together and even though it take a lot of planning to make everybody's schedule fit the event they manage to do it and the effort is worth the work. They needed this time together, sans Mom, and they really celebrated Kim in a huge way. I will go to Kim's house today after Bible Study and eat the leftovers, see the flowers and admire the bracelet.

This will be a busy week. Lots to do because on Sunday Kim, Patrick and I will head to the beach for a few days of sun, fun, and all the shrimp in Destin.

Carpe Diem with love to all

I HAVE AN ANGEL AND SO DO YOU

Just wanted to share something with you this morning. During my Devotional time this morning I found a new verse of scripture that jumped off the page of my Bible and spoke volumes to me. Isn't it amazing that a person can be sitting in a swing on a porch in the stillness of the morning, drinking a second cup of coffee while trying to make sense of her world and all of a sudden God just says to me, "He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go"(Ps.91:11). So I will just pass this message on to Kim and the rest of my girls as we travel through this "C" journey with Kim. It gives me great pause for comfort to know that I have an angel all my own following me around and if He does this for me then He does it for everybody. I laid my book down for a minute and when I picked it back up the page flipped over to Romans 8:35 and I read that nothing could separate me from the love that Christ has for me. Hallelujah!!!

Yesterday I had made plans to go to a baseball game and spend the night with my daughter. As I was riding in my car running errands it just came over me that I didn't want to go anywhere except home. I wanted to be in my home with my cat and just reflect on what I have almost forgotten and that is to "be still and know that I am God". Seems like for so long I have been so involved in so many projects with so many people doing so many things that I just need to sit down, and listen to where I should be and what I should be doing. No, my dear children, I am not "depressed" or "disturbed" or any of those physical things that you may think. I am just "getting a grip" and it feels good.

Well, it is Saturday morning and I am ready to go check my plants that are blooming their little heads off in the containers on my porch and see which ones need attention. I am going to work to finish my 2008 scrapbook so that I can get into 2009. I am going to write some notes and address some cards and then I will tackle the impossible task of putting Front Line on my cat. I may have to call Sara for help on that job because he has a very determined mind of his own when it comes to medicine. After all he is 14 years old, big and fat, and just wants to do his own thing. Hey, that sounds a lot like me if you add 61 years to the age.

Carpe Diem to you all with love.

CARPE DIEM -A GOOD MOTTO

Not wanting to be chastised any more for not up-dating my blog, I decided that while still in my pajamas this morning I would give you some of my thoughts.

As you might suspect, my thoughts are mainly with my daughter, Kim, and her recent diagnosis of cancer. How our lives change with one sentence spoken in ten seconds. One minute I was all engrossed in a Danielle Steele novel and a simple knock on the door from two of my daughters gave me cause to realize that I was standing on the threshold of news that would change my life, their lives and most importantly Kim's life. As the wise man said, and I don't know who it was "the one constant in our lives is Change". Oh, yes, I imagine myself to be a strong woman who can play the cards that life deals me and, believe me, I have had some pretty punk hands in my lifetime but I believe that this one trumps them all. With God directing the doctor that she has handling her case we will overcome this obstacle in our path and move on.

Enough sad talk - Can you imagine the fun that I had on Sunday when most of the family gathered here at my house for a picnic. The first thing that swept me off of my feet was when Chris handed me my beautiful 12 week old great-granddaughter, Mary Hollis Maddux, dressed in her long white dress with the smocking across the front. She is so beautiful. She is so tiny and petite. She is so perfect. It was just like holding a "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" to look at her tiny face with the big blue eyes. I just wanted to freeze-frame the moment to relive after all of the hustle and bustle of the day would be over. Christopher sang Dynamite and Dixie for me and it brought back memories of his father standing in a chair singing Amazing Grace and Sneaky Snake. With Christopher, Anni and Emma being such performers I do believe that we will be sitting in the theater someday watching one or all of them entertaining from the stage. It was a lovely day in spite of the intermittent rain that kept running the children away from the swings and the basketball goal. I can think of nothing in my life more fulfilling than to sit and watch my daughters, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren as they interact with each other and are so cognizant of my every need. I am truly blessed and I realize it more all the time. I have only listed a few names of the participants of this day but if I gave you a full roll-call it would make this writing way too long. Suffice it to say that we had a house full. Now I will end and as Dr. Laura used to say "go take on the day". I prefer to say to all of you that the one thing that I have learned and it has really come back to me in spades recently is Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!!! Make the most of every day. After all this is the day the Lord has made so rejoice and be glad in it.

BIG WEEK COMING UP

These past two weeks have been "something else" for me. Too much - too fast - wow! I have been to five schools to attend their Awards Assembly to present scholarship certificates for the recipients of our East High Scholarship. Some of the assemblies are so dignified and so quiet except for clapping for the person getting the award. Well, let me tell you that if you ever go to East Literature Magnet School take you some ear plugs because those kids over there are doing some serious celebrating. Anni's graduation was precious. Connor's graduation was precious. I went to Maria Donald's graduation yesterday. She is my friend Sara's granddaughter, and she was home schooled from the the 8th grade to graduation. I didn't know it but there is an association of home schools and they had a combined exercise. There were 80 children graduating. Maria was the Salutatorian and she gave the Invocation and the Salutatorian Address. She missed being the Valedictorian by 2 points. We, then, went to her graduation party at her aunt's house that included dinner, graduation cake, presents and mostly family. I enjoyed it very much, but I am thoroughly worn out with schools, awards, graduations and broke from buying presents. While all of these events were taking my time and energy came the worry of Kim and when you put it all together it spells T-I-R-E-D. However, as quickly as I get tired I get over it and am ready to go again. The phone calls, the e-mails, and the personal hugs from people that I meet concerning Kim and her health issue have just been astounding. There is no doubt that news travels fast in this day of technology. People from far and wide are praying for her and for me and for the rest of the family and we are so very grateful. It is amusing sometime when someone calls about Kim and then tells me all about their health problems or their uncle or aunt or whoever and I end up saying "goodness gracious my dear, I'll pray for you." It just goes to show that problems are no respecter of persons and when the Bible teaches us that it "rains on the just and the unjust" we take courage in knowing that God has His hand on everybody all the time. Today is Lauren's birthday and Kim, Lauren and I went shopping for some things that she needed and then we had a nice lunch, complete with the guys at Red Lobster singing Happy Birthday. She is 18 today and I hope that she can realize what a blessing she has in Kim and her Dad. This next week will be a good week because Kim will be going to Dr. Jim Netterville and I know that he is the best doctor in the world for the kind of problem that Kim has and I know that he is the sweetest doctor in the world and I know by the way he took care of Billy Cline and me that he will be the best doctor to take care of Kim. That appointment will be my "biggie" this week and I am so happy that there are no more certificates to present nor graduations to go to or punch and cookies and cake to eat. Looks like some of the people would crank up the grill and give us a steak, or at least a barbecue sandwich. Oh well, such is life.

Kim plus prayer equals a winning combination

Kim's blog this morning says it all and I really am not going to reiterate all that she said. The announcement of her impending health problem is, to say at the the least, devastating, gigantic, frightening, and shocking. Kim Cline Evans Pigue is my best friend as well as my daughter. She has been there for me, done so very much for me, gone the "second mile" for me for many years. Now, is my chance to turn this situation around and be there for her. That won't be a difficult thing for me to do because, you see, she is more fun to be with than anybody. If you haven't witnessed her humor and her bizarre comments then you have missed so much laughter. This month - May 31st to be exact - Kim and Brad will celebrate their 7th anniversary. I do believe that God sent Brad to Kim 7 years ago to be her partner in situations such as the one she has now because he gives her the most loving, caring, confident attention to every need that she might have. If we can all maintain the positive attitude that Kim has since receiving this diagnosis we will all master this illness with success. She told me the other day "I've been in bad scrapes before and it turned out okay and so will this". This little gal is tough but she has the the most important thing on her side and that is her love of her Lord. She has a personal relationship with God and that will hold her up as she travels through this journey. Many people are calling Kim to say that they are praying for her and she loves to hear this. I have a CD that my friend, Sara, gave me and the best song on the record is "Somebody's Praying me Through". It says that "it might be your mother, it might be your dad, it might be an old friend that you forgot you had, but no matter who some body's praying you through". That is exactly what we are going to do for Kim so everybody just get on your knees and let's get busy praying her through this mountain that God has put before her.

BLESSINGS TO ALL ON MOTHER'S DAY

Today is Mother's Day. I'm sure that you have read Kim's Blog and know that I was celebrated in the most eloquent way that can be done. It was a wonderful, relaxed, happy bunch of "Cline Girls" that gathered at Mimi's Cafe for breakfast. We were seated at a very comfortable table, a beautiful geranium plant had been placed as the centerpiece (I still don't know who brought that) with a big balloon flying overhead announcing that this was "Mom's Table". Now, how can anything be better than that? If you are a mom you know that the best time in a mother's life is when she can sit among her precious children and listen to them, look at them, admire them and just plain old love them. If you had walked by that table you would have seen by my expression that I was doing just that. They gave me a whole carload of plants for my porch containers and today I will receive a picture of all of us to be framed for my bedroom wall, where it will be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing at night. A constant reminder that I have daughters that love me and that I love with all my heart.

I always have a bit of sadness in my heart on Mother's Day as I think and reflect on my own mother. She has been living in Heaven for 21 years now and there has not been one day in those 21 years that I haven't thought of her, remembered some of the things she said to me or taught me and wanted so badly to call her on the phone (227-0664) and tell her about her granddaughters or their children and families. She was privileged to see all of them marry and she attended the graduations from high school and Tracey's graduation from college and sometimes it was quite an effort for her to go but she was determined to savor all of the highlights of each child's life for as long as she could. Maybe that is where I inherited some of my determination to go and see and enjoy everything that is happening with my family. If it is, I' thank her because every day and every event is a blessing for me.

So, I say to all the mothers that might read this blog that I salute you because being a mother is sometimes a huge job but the rewards are worth the effort so just keep on keeping on and when you reach the elderly stage of your life you can sit back, smile and say "thank you Lord for giving me these wonderful children because I am truly blessed".

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

IT WAS ALL ABOUT ANNI

To all of you who know me well, you know that I was a great fan of The Gilmore Girls. I watched the original shows, all of the re-runs and even was given one season on DVD which I have watched. The station quit showing the re-runs and I was just devastated. No Gilmore Girls at 4:00PM Monday through Friday. How could they do that to me? Well, just this week they have come back on - twice a day - and you know what? I think I have finally "outgrown" The Gilmore Girls. Which goes to show that nothing stays the same forever.

But, if you have a great-granddaughter like Annita Grace Routh, some things do absolutely stay the same. The love, the pride, the laughter that she brings, the enjoyment that she provides. Last Friday was Grandparent's Day at Davidson Academy. I have no idea why but every year on Davidson's Grandparents Day the skies open up and it rains torrents. No place to park, walk in the slick grass and hunt for a seat in the bleachers got us to the time that Maddux came on in his knee socks, blue shorts, white shirt and of all things, suspenders. He did his numbers with his group and was just so very precious. He moved his mouth but never took his hands from his pockets to join in with the gestures that he was supposed to be doing. I was proud of him - very proud that he participated as well as he did. That is definitely not a "boys best fun". Then came the kindergarten group dressed in cute little dresses and big hats to sing all of the songs from "Mary Poppins". The theme for the entire program was A Salute to Broadway. Annie never missed a beat - all the words, the hand movements, the feet movements - just a flawless performance. On Sunday afternoon we gathered at Davidson Academy again (yes, it was raining) for Anni's dance recital. This time she wore a big hat that came off during one of her pirouettes but she just ignored this faux pas and continued her dance until the last minute when she reached down, scooped up the hat, waved to the crowd and danced off the stage. Toward the end of the production, the program read "solo dance by Taylor Smith, special appearance by Anni Routh". What do you think that did to this old gal? Made me swell with pride but nothing like the pride I felt when she came out in a beautiful ballet skirt and her hair in a bun carrying a flower for the big girl. They did a few steps together - this lovely accomplished ballerina and beautiful little shining star of tomorrow. She deserved the bouquets of flowers that she was presented by her mother and grandmother after the performance. I could see June Carter Cash sitting up there in Heaven on her white cloud clapping that famous way that she clapped and urging her great-granddaughter to become the star that she was. Believe me Anni has inherited all the trappings and will go far. What a great week-end. We called it ALL ABOUT ANNI week-end, with a special performance by Maddux Routh.

Am I Confused? Not On Your Life!

Today the sun is shining, no wind to make you feel like you are going to blow away, just a warm light breeze as the day warms up. The kind of day that makes you want to be outside. But, I am feeling old today. It all started yesterday when my friend, Barbara, came for lunch and we were talking about all of the new developments that had been taking place within our famlies, our friends and our beloved school that closed it's doors. She told about talking to a friend at church and he said to her "Barbara, you are an old woman. You don't need to be worrying about so many things". Barbara said that she laughed and then later driving home thought "he said I was an old woman, and he is right even though I hadn't thought of myself like that". The realization of impending age and mortality strikes us at odd times but it strikes like a bolt of lightening. It happened to me just the other night. I was walking down the street with some of my family and the subject was brought up of my calling a cell phone by mistake and the person I called was on vacation in Florida. I apologized for this and explained that both numbers (land & cell) were together in my book and I just simply picked up the wrong one - both having the same area code. My daughter, very quietly said, "don't worry Mom, she knows you get confused". Get Confused? Is that what she said? I laid awake in my bed that night thinking that perhaps I may be the topic of conversation among my children who think that I am getting old, confused, inept, disoriented, maybe even have dimentia. After tossing those thoughts around for several hours I decided that age 75 is considered very old to someone 30, 40, or even 50. I remember that I looked at my mother and other people and wondered why they walked slow, couldn't remember names, wondered where they laid their keys, etc. so this is so natural and so ordinary and so real. The truth is that I am getting old - in fact I have already arrived. But you know what? I don't care. I will enjoy this time of my life like I have all the others. Why just the other night when I went into the kitchen to make my dinner I decided that I believed strawberry short cake topped with vanilla ice cream would make a delightful meal - much better than meat and potatoes. Last night I had graham crackers with peanut butter and milk for supper. Doesn't that sound yummy? I may be confused. I may wreck my car and take someone's fender off in the process. I may not sing on key as I used to do. But in my heart I am still young. I still love to sit in the swing and watch the birds and the squirrels. I love to drive down Gibson Drive and feast my eyes on beautiful Dogwood trees in a yard. I love to spend the night with Barbara and talk and laugh half the night. I love to go to church on Sunday and sit with Jacque, Wayne and Jeffrey and listen to a good sermon, sing (off key) the beautiful songs and eat lunch at Shoney's. I love to read Stuart Woods mystery books and discuss them with Ray. I love to go to the GrandParent's Days at Goodpasture and have my picture made with Courtney and Carter. This past year I worked at DLC and became so passionate about troubled youth. I pray for a swift reorganization and becoming a part of it because I have learned so much - quite an education in fact. So you see, I am still learning, still striving to keep my mind moving, keep my body moving (not on a treadmill) and I love to meet new people and learn of their ideas. Yes, I am old, nobody knows that better than I. Growing old is part of growing up and living life to the fullest and experiencing every single thing that comes my way. Confused? No, I'm not confused. I may do things here on earth that make others say I'm confused but, I know exactly where I'm going. I just don't know when. Heaven and the Beautiful Life are waiting for me. That much I'm sure.

Easter Sunday at Freda Villa

Easter Sunday - what a wonderful day that is for me. I can remember past Easters when my girls were little and I would be up half the night polishing shoes, pressing dresses, making sure that everything was just perfect for the next day. Easter baskets were so much fun to prepare. I really hated it when the girls got too big for bunnies, eggs, marshmallow chickens and filling each basket with their favorite candy. Soon it was "hey Mom could I have a new Barbie outfit this year instead of candy"? Then it became "hey Mom could I just have the money to buy..." They always had a specific thing they wanted to buy and needed just the amount of money that I would spend on Easter Baskets. Of course, the saving grace was I had little Tracey that never got tired of the basket of goodies. Time moves on and so does everything else. This year some of my family was absent because of other plans that they made. This changed the day. It was not bad, not unhappy. Just different. We focused all of our energy and fun on the family that assembled at 705 Freda Villa. We had a wonderful - absolutely marvelous - luncheon of honey baked ham, potato salad, green beans, corn surprise, dressed eggs, big green salad, fruit, rolls and a whole bevy of desserts. If I say so myself, my yard looked fantastic - the grass was so very green in color and just high enough to hide the 50+ eggs that Corinne hid. The children won kites as a prize for one of their games and they, with the help of Brad and Russell, managed to keep them flying and out of the trees. They swang (push me higher was the cry over and over) and they played ball and they chased each other and loved everything. The men loved the Masters Golf Tournament and watched it until the last putt in the playoff. The weather, that had been so atrocious all week, was just perfect for our day in the yard. Every year as the people leave with their containers of "left overs" and tired, dirty children, good bye kisses and hugs are given and love words are spoken and we all say the same thing -"this was the best Easter we have ever had". Of course what mother wouldn't just be the happiest when her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are gathered in a circle holding hands and praying to the God that is so good to us; giving us everything that we need in life and giving His only Son so that we might be together again in Heaven some day to celebrate with all of our loved ones. Praise the Lord.

Grandparents Day April 2009

A GRAND DAY INDEED

Friday, April 3, 2009 was GRAND DAY at Goodpasture Christian School. Grand Day is one that I look forward to each year. When my girls were students there was no such day specified for Grandparents. Janet Drake decided several years ago that this should be done and, believe me it has been done in a wonderful way. This year both of my grandchildren were included in one celebration because they are in the same grade schedule - 7-12 Grades. Last year I went to Carter's celebration first and then to Courtney's. That was fine with me because I got to enjoy hearing the speaker twice and he was certainly worth hearing twice. This year we started with a beautiful reception in the cafeteria where Spring was certainly in evidence. The pastel colors of yellow, blue, orchid and pink were in the flowers, napkins and everywhere. The food was terrific and we sat at a big round table with the Wisemans, Carter and Courtney and Jenny O'Brient's parents. After the eating was over we went to the auditorium for a very entertaining and, yet, very spiritual program. We had congrgational singing of hymns led by students, a wonderful speaker, Don Loftis, and some essays that had been written by some students telling what their grandparents meant to them. Being so involved with Goodpasture for so many years I feel such a love and pride in the school. Oh how I remember my mother and I going to this empty lot so many years ago and pridefully watching Bill Ruhl and others put the shovel in the ground to symbolize the beginning of what was to rise out of the ground and become a christian school "east of the river". It was to rival Lipscomb on the other side of the town. Kim and Tracey received a wonderful education there and then I have watched five grandchildren graduate and now I have two more grandchildren participating in all of the athletic and extra curricular activities. It is a joy that I hold dear to my heart. The school has improved itself in so many ways and the administration has changed and the teachers are changing due to retirement and other reasons and where I thought it was wonderful and perfect in the past it is even more so now. When you walk through the building you just feel so good and when you see the young people assembled in the auditorium you just burst with pride. Yesterday Courtney wore a white ribbon on her shirt signifying a grandparent that was no longer there and as I looked at that ribbon and thought of the times that her grandfather worked to keep his children in that school and my mother, through her determination that her grandchildren would receive a christian education helped in this endeavor, I was tearful and excited and grateful that I could sit there in that environment and be a part of it. When they called for the ones in the audience that had been a part of the school since it's inception in 1966 I proudly stood.

When all of the festivities were over at the school we went to lunch and enjoyed being with each other for another hour. When I say "we" I mean Bobbie and Jim Wiseman, Tracey, Carter, Courtney and myself. We laughed and said that all of the restaurants in the area were getting a boost in business because the grandparents, the children and everybody that had been to the school for the program seemed to be invading the restaurants for some more food and fellowship.

What a GRAND DAY it was for GRANDPARENTS.

Dr. Koch thinks I am "Amazing"

I went to my doctor this afternoon and after taking three x-rays and talking to me, making me move my arm up, down, in and out he declared me to be "amazing". I have never had that word used to describe me before and, needless to say, I was overjoyed. He told me that he didn't think, in the beginning, that I would ever be able to use my arm as well as I could today. I told him that his physical therapists were the amazing ones and, of course, I patted myself on the back by admitting that I had worked pretty hard at home with my exercises. He dictated a letter in my presence to be presented to the Senior Citizen's insurance company. I will send that to them when I receive it and we will just see what they say about the entire situation. My understanding is that they don't allow anyone to exercise on the equipment without someone being in attendance. So, you see something good does come out of every bad thing. Maybe nobody else will experience the trauma that I did by not getting any help when I needed it.

Last night was the Celebration of Tracey Night. My girls and I went to Panera Bread and Corinne had arranged for us to be in a private room and we all had soup, sandwiches, and wonderful pastry for dessert. We laughed and talked and shared stories and it was a wonderful night. Nita's blessing was especially inspiring when she thanked the Lord for Tracey and all that she means to us and to others. That is certainly the truth. She has the most beautiful spirit and it is a joy to be in her presence. The gifts that she was given delighted her. She has just returned from the beach and her blonde hair, blue eyes and suntanned skin just made a beautiful picture. I don't think she minded getting a year older - looking like she does she certainly shouldn't.

If you have read Kim's Blog you know that we went to Cord Ramsey's birthday party on Saturday evening. I concur with everything she said about the party - it was just the most perfect event that you can imagine. She "left no stone unturned" to make each guest there feel special and her food was wonderful but the best thing of all was watching that beautiful, perfect little boy as he interacted with each one of us and smashed his cake with his initials on it and loved all of his gifts. Leslie and Russell have three precious sons and they are doing a marvelous job raising them. As my mother would say "I take my hat off to them".

Fun at Kroger

I wanted to share a funny story with you today. My name causes much conversation and attention among people that I meet or come in contact with. Today I went to Kroger to pick up my prescription. I went to the counter, made my purchase and left that area. I had my basket and was shopping way in the back of the store when over the loud speaker that you could have heard out in the parking lot a voice said "Patsy Cline please come to the pharmacy". Then, as if that weren't enough he repeated it. Two little women standing by the orange juice section looked around and I heard one of them say "let's go up front and see Patsy Cline. I have never seen her but I have heard her sing". The other one said, with a giggle, "okay let's go". I pushed my cart as fast as possible and got to the counter, apologized to the nice young man for running away without my pills and turned around to see the little ladies standing behind the "Slim Fast" display. I smiled my broadest, most dazzling smile and went back to my shopping. I have no idea where the went or anything but I can imagine the story they told when they left that store.

My morning had been pretty hectic and it was such a blessing to find humor and fun in such a little incident. Life can get so heavy sometimes and just when you think you will explode here comes an event to ease the pain. So it was for me today.

Great-Grandmother of Thirteen! Wow!

I read with glee and laughter Kim's post today concerning The Bachelor program. I concur with her feelings and, frankly, I was through with that show when Travis and what's her name from Nashville broke up after all that carrying on while on the program. I did check back in for all the drama that Kim described in her blog and all I can say is "wow, what some people will do for 15 minutes of fame".

But my post today is all about WONDERFUL! Little Mary Hollis Maddux came a week ago today and being a beautiful, healthy little girl just filled my heart with joy. I suppose that you realize that she makes my 13th great-grandchild - Christopher, John Ed, Mary Hollis, Emma, Ava, Sara James, Anni, Maddux, Will Carter, Connor, Cannon, Cord and Jackson. How's that for a heart full of sunshine? When I thought of great-grandmothers in the past I pictured an old wrinkled woman with old hands, big tummy, joints that hurt and don't bend well, moving slowly around the house and now I think "holy smokes that is me!" However, I feel young inside and if my body would obey my mind I would be some sort of gal. It is such a warm, fuzzy feeling when I am in a place where all of these little ones are singing, dancing, talking, and even scuffling around with each other. They are truly a delight to me and I am proud to be Great-Grandmother Mimi or GrandmaMimi or whatever name they have given to me.

Speaking of sunshine (I did in the previous paragraph), I just came back into my house from being out in my yard. Oh sure, there are sticks and limbs and dead leaves, etc all around but in the midst of that were buttercups blooming their little heads off - big ones, miniature ones and they are so sweet and so pretty. I cut enough to make some small bouquets for my coffee table and my kitchen table. I will enjoy them until they decide to drop their heads and shrink. They are just like having a ray of sunshine inside the house. The sun is out today, the air is warm and the breeze is easy and light. What a glorious day. The Lord is in his Heaven and all is right with my world. Maybe the country is in disaray and maybe we are all struggling with this hateful economy and all that is happening but just remember the Lord is in control and He will take care of us if we can just let Him. I am notorious for giving him my problems as I drift off to sleep and then grabbing them back to worry over in the morning. But not today. Today I will say "this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it".

Welcome to my world, Mary Hollis, I cannot wait to meet you.

Home and Glad

As the song says "the party's over" and that certainly applies to me as I write this message to you, because when that ship docked Saturday morning and I walked down the gangplank to the car I knew that it was back to the real world. My "real world" is what I was ready for. As wonderful as the cruise was it just can't compare to the life that I have every day. The excursion trips to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten were very interesting experiences. All my life I have heard of those places but I never knew what they held - the bluest water, the history, the little shops that are run by the natives for their special items, driving on the wrong side of the little narrow streets, and many other things that I could mention. The big item on all three islands turned out to be diamonds of all kinds - blue ones, white ones, brown and pink ones, etc. The prices were very high but people were buying them. I enjoyed the shop on St. Thomas called "Mr. Tablecloth". The linens there were beautiful and so very unique. The ship that I was on, Carnival Glory, was fabulous. The many activities provided were endless and if I had been forty years younger I would have enjoyed everything - the discos, the midnight buffets, the karaoke lounge, the dancing and partying until daylight - but alas I know my limitations and those things were not for me. However, I was privy to fabulous, gormet dining each night in a very beautiful dining room. The friends at my table enjoyed eating, talking, laughing and sharing memories of days of long ago at our East High School. When we revealed to people on the ship that we were a group of high school alumni they were amazed. It appears that there are not many people who had what we had in high school and could care less to remember those days.

The many remembrances that passed through the e-mails on the date of February 18th were very dear to me. I read them all. My mind was focused on Billy that day also. He was a very special person to many people, not just family but also to friends. It was ironic that the night of the 18th the production in the theater on the ship was something that he would have loved. I could almost hear him whistling and clapping as those scantily dressed women with long legs and beautiful bodies danced and sang songs from the 50's.

Well, the lovely vacation came and the lovely vacation went and now that I am home I will do as the song, That's Life, says - "I will pick myself up and get back in the race" and also I will rejoice in each day and be glad in it.

Some things are hard to undertand

Things just keep getting harder for me to understand. I opened my e-mail site last night and find that EVERYTHING is different. I have something there called "Smart"something or other and I had no idea what to do with it. I could not open an e-mail nor send one or anything else. I closed it up, went to bed and said to myself "tomorrow I will tackle that problem". I did just that. I called 1-800-Comcast and some guy that I almost understood talked me through it. I also don't understand how a single woman, with no job, no money, no husband, has six children, gives birth to eight babies and gets on TV looking slim, trim and healthy and tells how she "loves children" and plans to "love them, love them, just love them". That is like saying "we are going to live on love" when you marry and then you find out that love is great but eating and having money to pay the rent is better. I also don't understand where my stamina has gone. Sure I had a bad fall. Sure I had surgery. Sure I am much better using my arm. Why do I get so tired so fast? Mornings I get up feeling like "taking on the day". By 2:00PM I am ready for the couch or the bed or for that matter anywhere that I can nap for a while and then by 9:00PM I am really ready for my good old bed. I think this is what my mother used to mean when she would say "I am "bone" tired and don't know why". Maybe in a few more weeks or months I will start picking up some strength - who knows. Maybe I am impatient (no maybe about it I am). Anyway, on Saturday the 14th of this month I will board a huge ship called Glory and sail to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Marteen. My clothes are all in order thanks to the help of every child of mine, my fridge has been emptied, my house is in order, Sara has been alerted to the needs of Mr. Cleo, and I will be on my way. I know that it will be a glorious adventure and one that I will never forget. I plan to relax, read, enjoy the island excursions, taste the delightful cuisine in the various venues on the ship, sit in the sun and let my shoulder absorb all that vitamin D coming from the rays, and make lots of pictures with my "throw away" camera. I am not the photographer that my daughters are with their fancy cameras but I will have pictures for remembrance anyway. Before I go I will have one wonderful event - I will have lunch with Anni Routh at her school so that I can wish her a Happy Sixth Birthday in person. She and I will talk, giggle and hug and she will never know just how much I treasure the thirty minutes that I will have with her. After that I will be ready to go on the trip with much anticipation and excitement. When I return I will have lots to tell you about because I will keep a journal.

Super Bowl and other things

This is what is known as "Super Bowl Week-end" and it has been Super. Today I went to Sunday School (started a new study of Acts) and then to church and then to lunch with Sara and her friend Kimberly Boyd. All of that was just great but the greatest thing was that beautiful sunshine and soft breeze that I enjoyed. I declined an invitation to a "play cards, watch Super Bowl, eat barbecue party" and spent a quiet, relaxing afternoon here at my house. I napped and did a few chores and then watched the TV. I am now the proud owner of a box on my TV that gives me Hallmark and Movies and lots of music and if I can just not push the wrong button on my remote control it is perfect. I did push a wrong button yesterday and I called Comcast and the girl fixed it over the phone. No, I did not call Kim - I called Comcast and talked to a girl names Dottie who was delightful and didn't make fun of me.

I really thought that I would enjoy the half-time of the football game. I got my spiced tea and cookies and got all ready. I had heard that it would be so great. Forgive me, my young daughters and friends, but that man obviously was not speaking or rather singing in English or my hearing has gone because I didn't understand anything he said. I told Kim that I did understand at the end that he said "I'm going to Dixie" and she informed me, gleefully I might add, "Mother, he said I'm going to Disney". I don't care where he went I'm just glad he went. I think that my advancing years makes me appreciate the Golden Oldies more all the time. However, I can appreciate and understand why all of those young women were waving and cheering Bruce Springsteen. When I was about 15 years old I went to town one Saturday.
My friend, Ann, and I went to town most Saturdays when there was money. We would go to the movie, to the Krystal and then to Harvey's Dept. Store where you could go into a soundproof booth and play records. The object, of course, was to buy one. This particular Saturday I had the money to buy a record and I chose "Mule Train" by Frankie Laine. I came home, put the record on my player and when he belted out "Mule Train He Haw" my mother almost went into cardiac arrest. She told me that as little money as we had why would I spend it on something so crazy. She said a lot more about it but I won't go into all of that. I never knew exactly what happened but that record disappeared and nobody seemed to know where it went. Believe me I spent the money that she gave me more wisely after that. I thought about that at half-time tonight and wondered what she would say about that performance. I suspect that she would have a lot to say about a lot of things that are going on in the world these days. I think God does a good thing when he takes us at certain times because He knows that there are just some things that are not right for us.

This is the first day of February and on the 13th I am leaving to go on a 7 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. I have filled out all of the many forms sent to me by the travel agent, I have looked at the excursion trips that they offer and made my choices, and I have made an appointment for my nails, pedicure and hair. Do you think I have any idea what clothes I will take? That is something that has got to be attended to and soon. With my work schedule, my
therapy schedule and my other things I am about to get overcome with all my "to-dos". It will all get done, I will go on the trip, I will have a good time and the best part of all of it will be coming home. That, my friends, is the epitome of OLD AGE.

A Day of Celebration

Today is a day of celebration - Kimberly Dawn Cline Evans Pigue will turn 50 years old at 2:00PM today. Oh my, how time does fly. She weighed 8 lbs and was very short so I knew that she was going to be a little "fireball" right from the beginning. While still under the influence of the drugs that they administered back in those days (the kind that just put you into another world) I told Dr. Parker that Billy was going to be very mad at me when he found out that I had another girl and that he had better take her home with him. He assured me that all would be well and, sure enough, it was. She became a daddy's girl from the very beginning and remained so until his death. They had lots of "ups and downs and ins and outs" and sometimes the shouting became too much for me to handle, but they always ended up in each other's arms and all was right with them again. Kim was the baby of the family for five years until I brought home Tracey and she wasn't sure that she was going to let Tracey live but as usual she joined the family with the spoiling and loving of this new child and they became fast friends. Oh yes, she had her ups and downs with Tracey also. The worst time I suppose was when she had to drive Tracey to school and Tracey was happy and talkative in the morning while Kim was just the opposite so she ruined each day for Tracey (that is what Tracey has told me). All through the years Kim has been a challenge for everybody that she associated with except her Aunt Ree and Uncle Pat. She was the love of their life and the times that she spent with them were probably Aunt Ree's happiest. The night Uncle Pat died they she was at their house and everytime Uncle Pat called "Tim" she would run down the hall with water or whatever she thought would make him happy. He was her buddy in every sense of the word. Kim has brought happiness to so many people - her sisters, her high school friends, her college friends, her Comdata friends, her TIC friends, her customers at the doctor's offices where she has worked, her extended families, and to me. However, Patrick is the light of her life. She has adored him forever and will continue to adore him. Now don't think for one minute that she and Patrick haven't had their ups and downs also, but if you got her to confess she would say that he is "perfect". When Brad came into her life she just fell head over heels in love and called me to say "I met a man last night that is going to be my husband and I love him". I just didn't think you could love so quickly and make that sort of decision on that little bit of experience but sure enough she did and that love has grown every day. When Brad gave her the diamond necklace for Christmas he explained that the diamonds got larger as they went down to show greater love all the time. Lauren and Kim may not see "eye to eye" all the time, but Kim loves Lauren and has made a place for her in her heart that is a forever thing and I will tip my hat to Kim that she has been a really good mother to Lauren. This tribute to Kim could go on and on and fill up pages because in my heart I have 50 years of daily memories of her but I shall stop now and simply say that I wish Kimberly a happy birthday and I feel so privileged to have been chosen by God to be her mother. She is a delight and a joy to my life.

Christmas and other things

I'm sure that you have all heard the song 'A Baby Changes Everything". That particular song is referring to Jesus, but during the times that my family has been together during the holidays I realize more and more that our babies do change everything - they change traditions, they change attitudes, they make everything better, brighter, happier, and they represent the future. As I have watched the great-grandchildren (10 of them) interacting with each other I know that the future of our family is in good hands. I see love for each other and their parents and grandparents and great grandparents. They will hug each other for no reason and pat on each other with great affection and it just pleases me no end. Don't think that they don't wrestle and tumble around on the floor a lot and they are loud and boisterous and even crying some, but by and large I believe that they are a splendid bunch of children and I am so very proud that they are mine. I am just so very sorry that Billy is not here to witness these occasions and see the children. He would be so very proud also.


Today was the Cline Reunion. Forty one people gathered at Jimmy and Judy Cline's home in Greenbrier for a lovely lunch and visit. How good it was to sit in a room full of people that have so much in common. Many stories were told of past events and memories were shared by each generation. Ruth and Charlie Cline would have been so pleased to see their children and the offspring of those children bonding with such love. If there is a way for those in heaven to see us on earth there was a lot of smiling and happiness there today.


Christmas has come and Christmas has gone and I enjoyed it so much. In spite of the uselessness of this right arm I managed to make the chocolate covered cherries, the crescent cookies, the spiced tea for my children and grandchildren. With help from all of my girls and Danny my tree is the prettiest that it has ever been. I have enjoyed many hours of lying on my sofa watching Christmas movies and looking at my tree, my mantle and my wise men. I do love my decorations. I did not have any parties this year but I did attend quite a few. I just wasn't up to entertaining but you can bet your best hat that next year I will be in better shape and ready to cook and be the "hostess with the mostest".


The poetry books that I gave my great-grandchildren was something that I had wanted to do for a long time and, in fact, started several times and abandoned the idea. With Kim's help and creative flare they were published this year and I was quite proud to present them on December 23rd and the Cline Christmas Party. As I told the children they won't care much for them now but their mothers will care and someday they will also. Just a little something for them to remember me by when I am not here - sorta' like the little cokes and a few other things.


I have written too much and Corinne will tell me so, but you know me - when I get started I never know when to quit. Just let me say that I thank all of you that have helped me this Christmas to be able to say that this was a great Christmas and I loved every minute of every day and night and every time I was with my family and friends it was a precious gift and I am grateful.

Two Miracles in Two Days

I never cease to be amazed at the wonders that our God bestows on us. It is such a shame that I did not stop and "smell the roses" when I was younger, however at that time in my life I suppose that I was so busy being all things to all people that I didn't have time. That is another story for another time.

Today I will tell you about two wonders or miracles that I was privileged to observe in two days.

First, I visited with my new great-grandson, Will Carter Routh, yesterday. I wanted to introduce myself to him and meet him in person. He is truly one of God's miracles. The tiny hands, the tiny ears, the perfectly shaped head, a covering of light (almost red) hair, a tiny perfect little nose and, oh my, those rose bud lips that made you just want to kiss them. He never really opened his eyes but pictures show me that he has large dark eyes. When I held him in my arms he was so light in weight but looking down at him I saw a beautiful baby that will soon be big, active, moving in all directions and probably running as fast as he can to escape the wrath of big sister, Anni, or big brother, Maddux. I just fell in love with him at first sight - quite like I have with all of my great-grandchildren.

Secondly, this morning I made my raisin toast and got my cup of coffee and sat down at my kitchen table to enjoy breakfast and read the paper. When I looked out of my big window that faces the east my breath was taken away with the beauty of the rising sun. It was as if God had turned on the light and it was so bright and so orange with touches of yellow and pink and I just could not take my eyes off of it. As with all sunrises and sunsets they only last a few seconds and then are gone but I must say that it was amazing while it lasted. I hope that everybody that reads this blog today will have experienced this miracle as I did. Of course, you have to get up at the crack of dawn like I do and maybe some of you are later risers.

Today is one of those days that I feel as if my cup runneth over.
Love to all - Patsy/Mom/Mimi

Holiday Times are Here

After reading Kim's blog and listening to her Christmas Music I really began to realize that "yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" and all of the other things that signify the beginning of the Holiday Season. Hooray, for tradition and life and love and family at this time of the year.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and because of the unusual circumstances of this year the tradition part was not observed, but the part of life and love and even death was observed. The circumstances started with my handicapped situation of having only one arm that is strong and well and was not sufficient for cooking. Cracker Barrel was the answer to that and it was a good decision. We had all of the usual Thanksgiving fare and it was wonderful. Our life went on with our gathering as usual and the love that was there was evident on everybody's face and in their speech to each other. So that accounts for tradition, life and love. The death of Ray's brother, Ned Maddux, at 9:49 last night was a bittersweet occurrence. He was so sick and God delivered him from his ill health and pain into a land of no pain, no tears, just love and peace. I will miss Ned - his mischievous eyes, his teasing ways but most of all his sweet, sweet smile and kind expressions of love when I would see him after an absence of some time.

With the exit of Ned Maddux from the world came the entrance of Will Carter Routh to Emily and Jackson on Wednesday. What a glorious praise is he - a perfect child - small in size but healthy and ready to be loved and cared for by two wonderful parents and two siblings that were dressed in "I'm the Big Sister" and "I'm the Big Brother" shirts. The entire family gave thanks for Will Carter yesterday.

Christmas will be here soon. The music, the decorations, the hustle and bustle of the season, the fun parties that I am invited to attend make for a happy time. I love the season. It will be so much fun when we gather for Christmas and all of the family will be under one roof singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas". What a blessing to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to stop all of the stress of our everyday lives and for just a few hours express love and concern for those that mean the most to us.

One Finger - Left Hand - Not so bad

I come on this Blog today to let all of my friends and family know how well I am doing and how abundantly God has blessed me during this period of my life. Each day I can feel a little bit stronger and can perform more tasks for myself by myself. However, I know that is a result of your prayers, the unslfish people, especially my children, who have given me hours and hours of their precious time and energy to making me comfortable, entertained, well-fed and loved, and most of all the healing hand of our Lord.

My birthday, spent opening literally hundreds of beautiful cards filled with wishes for a good birthday and also get-well wishes certainly went a long way toward making me feel so very special and so very blessed. I thank you for each card. I have them all in basket and will keep them forever. The same for my get-well cards that continue to arrive each day. We have certainly kept my postman confused and busy. I believe that he thinks I am the "other Patsy Cline" that has come back to life. Again, please accept my deepest thanks for your attention to an old, handi-capped, 75 year old woman's birthday. I must say I never intended to spend the day as I did but. you know what, it wasn't a trip to Chicago, but it wasn't so bad.

My finger is wearing out and it is almost time for Tracey to come take me to the dreaded physical therapy session so I will stop and say once more I am the most blessed person and it is because of my most wonderful family, my good friends that have all gone the "second mile" and my Lord who is smiling every time I put this immobilizer on myself, or make coffee with my left hand even though I get more coffee grounds on the floor than the pot, and the other crazy things I do that are between Him and me.

THANKS AND LOVE AND GRATEFUL APPRECIATION TO ALL.

Posted by Kim....

(Ed. Note: Warning, this posting will not compare to any of the prior postings on this blog!)

This is copied from blog http://piguetales.blogspot.com/ because it is too long to tell twice!

Well, it all began on Thursday morning when our busy little Mom began her day by going to the gym. It was around 8:00am and she was on the treadmill like she does every time she goes to the gym. She was alone in the room and went to push a button on the machine and pushed the wrong one. The machine began to accelerate and she could not get it to stop. She was thrown off the back and fell to the floor. She called for help but no one heard her and she managed to pull herself up in a chair. She decided that if she got up and kept moving it would not hurt so bad. She went to her car to go to her next stop which was to cook Meals on Wheels at the church. When she realized that she could not move her right arm, she used her left to change the gears and drive herself to the church. Once she made it to the church, the pain was alarming enough to call me to come and take her to get it checked. I called the main nurse in our family (Corinne) and we decided it would be best to take her to Hendersonville ER where her doctors are in case they would need to admit her.

They did an X-ray of her shoulder, arm and leg to see what damage was done and the ER doctor showed me the X-ray and said she had broken the humerus (bone that connects the shoulder to the elbow). They gave her morphine and zofran by IV and then the fun began! We all know that she does not do well when she gets anything through an IV!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well her blood pressure dropped to 57/32 and she was really scaring me! Thank goodness Nita (our other family appointed nurse) works upstairs and she was able to come down and stay with us. They gave her fluids and tried to set her up but she was so sick it was pitiful. They put her in an immobilizer that had her arm strapped to her body. So between her good left side and my almost good right side, we made a great pair!!! It was similar to a MeMaw and Aunt Ree episode! Anyway, when the blood pressure came up, they wheeled her to the car and told her to be back at 8:00 on Friday with nothing to eat or drink and be prepared to have surgery. We made it home and she was most concerned about the plans she had for Thursday night to get things ready for the East High Picnic on Saturday. Tracey came and brought her a milkshake but the medicine they gave her for pain made her very sick again! Her friends came over to get the picnic stuff and I helped them make this sign that Mom wanted them to have.
Nita and Corinne came after work and Nita brought our dinner from Panera bread. I went home to get my things for the night and Patrick and I went back. Mom was so happy to see Patrick and perked up for a few minutes. Nita and Corinne helped her get a bath and get her clothes packed and finally she settled down to go to sleep.

We went to the Dr. Koch at 8:00 and were met by Tracey and Corinne. Dr. Koch said that he would do the surgery on Wednesday at Sumner Regional Hospital. She also has damage to the rotator cuff. He changed the immobilizer to the correct one and changed her pain medicine. We were off to McDonalds for breakfast and coffee. I had a list of 6 people waiting to be called as cell phones were ringing constantly wanting the latest info. She is has so many dear friends wanting to help and it is very touching to hear people say over and over tell her I love her and I want to help!
We got home and she did rest some. She ate her lunch and then I got her to lay back down. But, between wanting to check her emails, and the phone ringing and think about the picnic, she did not get much sleep from that point on. I was given this look (as in the picture above) numerous times today as she plots how soon she can drive!!! She is staying the weekend at Nita and Ray's house and she will get lots of TLC there. Thank you for your prayers and your love for her!

Carter is a Teen-Ager!

Happy Birthday to Carter. I cannot make myself believe that Carter is a teen-ager! Thirteen years old - that birthday is such a big deal I think. His daddy was kidding him last night that he couldn't call him a "pre-teen" anymore. Of course, Carter just grinned and said nothing, but I could tell that he is very glad that he is now a teen-ager.

Speaking of last night - wow!!! what a night! Tracey, Danny, Bobbie and Jim Wiseman, Nita and Ray and I sat in amazement while the trainer of the soccer team declared to us that Courtney was suffering with a contussion. We went to the game, got all settled as the teams (Franklin Road Academy and Goodpasture) were introduced and the game started. Right away Courtney scores a goal and we all cheered and the excitement started. Then in just a little while she began to play "different". By that I mean that I noticed that she wasn't moving as fast and wasn't going after the ball as she had been. She sat on the bench perfectly still - not drinking her water or talking or anything and then when the half was over and the game started back she didn't go into the game. From that time on it was Danny talking to the trainer and the coach and Courtney being checked, and then the trainer talking to Danny and Tracey. When they decided to take her to the hospital they put her in a golf cart and drove her to Danny's car. As she was going past me she looked right into my face with no recognition - just a blank stare. Let me tell you that my heart just almost stopped. However, after being checked out at the hospital, many prayers being offered in her behalf (they even prayed for her where they were building the floats for the homecoming festivities) she was pronounced to be dehydrated and she hyperventilated and it caused her to be disoriented and confused and her blood pressure to drop. Today she is at home in the loving and caring arms of her mother resting, drinking liquids and being pampered beyond belief. So you see, once more we can say with much feeling and gratitude "Thank you Lord". Last night was a brief flashback as I remembered Tracey as a five year old lying in the driveway beside her bicycle suffering from a contussion. Sometimes I just wonder how in the world we get through some of the things that happen that are so serious, so scary and so hard. There is just one way and we all know that it is with the Lord's grace, love and healing hand.

For all of you that know me well you know that when anything happens in my life that is traumatic I am strong, courageous, and can handle it well until the crisis is over and then what do I do? Go get in a bathtub of hot water and cry. That was where I went last night and what I did!!! Now, I have given away my secret weapon to dealing with adversity.

Always enjoy being with friends....

I have been told that I should "post more and say less". That is probably very good advice. However, once I get started writing I find myself just going on and on and on. Tonight I will try to be brief.

There is a saying that goes something like "there's no friend like an old friend" and I never quite knew whether the "old" in that sentence meant age or length of time of acquaintance. Well, this past week-end I was connected with friends of both age and time. First I went to the Triple L Ranch cattle sale in Fernvale, TN. This ranch is owned and operated by my former boss at Lee Company, Wallace Lee. For fifteen years I have worked this sale for him. By working the sale I mean that I keep up with who bought which animal, what they paid for it and then write the transfer papers, health papers and take the money. It gets pretty hectic but it is also very exciting. The friends that I saw there were of all ages from Wallace at age 77 to his youngest grandchild. The Lee Family is very near and dear to me. I also saw people that I worked with for many years and that was a treat. Good thing I enjoyed the people because the heat, the humidity, the dust and the animals really made my sinuses go crazy and I am just now getting back to normal.

Also, along this same line - I went to the 50th Anniversary Celebration for my friends Sherron and Earl Campbell. Now they are friends of long acquaintance (age as well) and we hold lots of memories between us. Also, attending that party was many people from my past that I had not seen in years. Isn't it funny that these people that are aging look so different until you look in their eyes and see the smile and then all of a sudden they look just like they did when we were walking the halls of East High School or attending Chapel Avenue Church of Christ.

This next week-end my East High Class of 1951 will host a picnic at a classmate's farm in Hendersonville and I have no idea who will and who will not attend but it will be the same thing - old friends getting together and cherishing the friendship and the memories of a wonderful time in our lives. We will laugh, and hug and talk and eat and when the sun goes down we will have made another memory to put in our scrap book.

May God bless all of you and give you peace, good health, happiness and love.

Live, Love and Learn

Isn't it funny (maybe odd is a better word) how you view subjects as you get older? I can remember so well going to Uncle Pat's house as a young wife, mother, daughter in my early 20's and the first thing he would tell me would be the weather report as it was before I came, as it was at at that moment and what the prediction was for the rest of the evening, night or whatever the case may be. I would think to myself "who cares?", and wonder why he didn't have more important things to think about. Today I have found myself watching CNN and other stations on TV that are giving the information on the hurricane that is pounding the Gulf of Mexico and heading for Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. I have found out the importance of such things as weather but only as it pertains to human life and property destruction. It was important to Uncle Pat because he had lived through tornadoes, hurricanes, depression, financial and property loss and he knew that it was important to keep up with current conditions. As I creep toward the age of 75 I understand more and more what Uncle Pat, Aunt Ree and my mother meant when they told me things that I deemed to be unimportant in those days. I believe that the adage there would be "live and learn".

I was privileged to live and learn this past week-end. Along with three of my daughters and two of their spouses I went to the wedding of my nephew in Georgia. Since this was a Cline wedding there were other Cline's in attendance. The Cline people that we visited with were those that had estranged themselves from me and my family for many years. Cheryl's illness and death has taught the family - both sets of Cline's - that family is so important. Now, it seems that we will be seeing more of Faye, J. B., Jimmy and Judy Cline and also Alice and her husband Henry. Judy is already planning a family reunion for the entire family in December and Ray and Jimmy are talking of a golf scramble for sometime this Fall. Life is fragile. Life is short. Again, I remind you of Carpe Diem.

Back to the wedding. Rosemary Cline Taylor and her husband, Ron, have two children - Alex and Jessica. They have never lived close to us and we only saw them on special occasions. You know how that goes - funerals, weddings, etc where you say "I wish we could get together more often" and then it is two or more years until you do. The whole week-end was full of laughter, talking, eating, joking, teasing, shopping, and then witnessing the beautiful ceremony of Alex and Lindsay becoming a family of their own. What a happy, joyous time it was for all of us. We had assumed that it would be so hot sitting in the late afternoon sun for the ceremony that Tracey and I prepared for the heat in every way possible. Well, that was just not to be. The setting for the ceremony was shady, the sun was setting, a huge fan was operating and it was delightful. No perspiring, no hair drooping, no clothes wrinkling, just comfort. Can you beat that? I think that God was just so pleased with all of these Cline people coming together that he fixed it for us.

We were so sad to be without two of our main "peoples" - Kim and Alice. Kim suffered a fall on Thursday and was in too
much pain to make the trip. Since she is so important to all of us and is so much fun and so witty we missed her humor and her "spunky" ways throughout the trip. Alice's husband, Henry, is ill in the hospital and she couldn't leave him so we were without her charm and her sense of humor. We really felt their absence. Also, they both had looked forward to being with each other and having some fun. Prayers are requested for Kim and her health issues and Henry and his needs.

Today is Labor Day. I think that this day was meant to be a day of rest in order that those that labor for a living could have some time off from their work. However, as with everything else - shopping stores are open, grocery stores are open and gas stations and most everything that the public needs access to. I think that is terrible. I believe that all businesses should take a day of no work and let the working people have time for a holiday. I am also from the "old school" that believes that Sunday should be a day of rest also. I applaud the owner of Chic-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby for closing his stores on Sunday. I, myself, am "laboring" here at home by cooking a meal for our Labor Day Celebration. It is a labor of love, however, because I do love to cook and serve a meal to my family and friends.

Labor Day is more than a day of rest for working people because it signifies the end of Summer. As most people my age have said more than once in the past few days "where did Summer go? Seems like yesterday we were celebrating graduations, 4th of July and vacations". Well, let me tell you Summer went fast, Fall will go faster and Winter will move faster still. That is the way life is now. We just buzz along from one thing to another and before you know it another year has come and gone and we are still wondering where it went. Just another example of what I preach in each one of my blogs - Live each day to the fullest. Love all the people in your life that mean so much to you and tell them that they are loved. Spend as much time with your loved ones as you are able. Sing all the old songs like "Lazy Hazy Days of summer" and "She'll be Coming Round the Mountain" and other fun songs. Read lots of good books. Look at old pictures and say "I remember that day". Sit on your porch in the late afternoon and watch the birds and squirrels play in your yard. Watch your cat lie in the sun sleeping lazily. When a good jazzy song comes on the radio hop up and dance by yourself (no ones looking so what the heck). Call a good friend up on the telephone and talk an hour if you want to. Write a note to someone telling them that you are thinking about them, or you want them to get well, or be happy or whatever you need to say and then stamp it and put it in the mailbox - does no good if you don't send it. Most importantly of all tell God that you love Him. Tell Him thanks. Tell him how much you appreciate, as my mother used to say "life and all of its attendant blessings" and we do have many. My mother was a pretty smart old gal and had a lot of good advice. I'm still learning from her after all of these years.

Happy Labor Day and go buy your mums and plant them and get ready for football games, soccer games, wearing sweaters and shoes instead of shorts and flip-flops, eating chili and soup, making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas and whatever else may come your way. Love to all.

Memories and Blessings

There are a lot of days, nights, songs, places, people and events that occur in your life that you just never forget. Other things in your memory come and go but certain songs can place you back in time to a prom or a movie or riding in a car with a friend singing songs or maybe sitting in church singing the "Old Rugged Cross" which makes me think about my mother. Also, as I was cooking green beans this past week the smell was just exactly like the smell at my house on Rudolph Street on Sunday morning. I would wake up and immediately the smell of chicken frying and green beans cooking would greet me. Then, as a young girl, it meant nothing to me. Now, it means the world to me. A scene in my life that will always be engraved in my memory occured ten years ago today. A hospital bed with young women and men surrounding it, a very elderly lady sitting quietly in a chair in the corner and myself in attendance as we watched a most important man in our lives slip quietly away to his home in Heaven. I can remember the way the sun was making little patterns on the wall. I can remember the way the covers on the bed lay smooth and cool. It was a sweet, sweet very silent time for all of us. This man, my husband of 46 years and my sweetheart for many more, was the most unique person I have ever known. He was handsome, kind, loving, argumentative, opinionated, forgiving, trusting and trustworthy, intelligent, hard-working, fun loving and fun to be around, full of humor and humorous sayings that are remembered by all of his family ("if you can't take it just hold your hands up and say I Can't Take It"), and probably the most important of all was that he loved his family with a fierce love that never waivered no matter the circumstances. I think that the song that says "I've been up and down and in and out and over and around and every time I found myself flat on my face, I just jumped right up and got back in the race" describes the way he lived. He never gave up. He fought with everything that he had to live as long as he could in order to keep on being the husband and father and friend that he wanted to be. He left us in body ten years ago today, August 6th, but he is with us as much today and will be with us in the future forever. This is my tribute to Billy.

Life is a mixture of living and dying and as some of our loved ones leave us new lives come to us and we are blessed with wonderful, adorable, beautiful children. Emily and Jackson are going to have another son in December and Chris and Ashley will have a child in March. It is hard to imagine that I will have 12 great-grandchildren by Spring of 2009. I look at each one of these children and can see that they are going to contribute greatly to the family and to the world in which they live. They are healthy, happy, beautiful children who will grow into wonderful adults because they are all being reared in homes where God is given first priority and where love abounds. This is what life is all about. As I say every day I am just one lucky woman and God is good!!!