Day 120 --

Today I had to make a run to Walmart and was standing in line while someone else was checking out.  I was putting my stuff on the end of the conveyer and the person in front of me said my name.  I looked up and at first didn't recognize who it was, and then realized it was my dear old friend Janice.  I have not seen her in many years, and we grabbed each other and hugged and hugged while the cashier watched with what I can only guess to be confusion and amusement.  After we got checked out, we stood  and visited for probably 45 minutes--trying to catch up for at least 9 years of living.  We agreed it was time to leave past problems between our families in the past and get back to being the best friends we have been for most of our lives.  I believe that us being in line right next to each other was a God moment, and I thank him that he took over that situation for us.  Almost the first thing she told me is that she was no longer a Catholic, and had joined the Methodist Church and loves it.  You could tell in her voice that she really is excited about it, and I'm so happy for her.  She has her girls and their children going to church there as well.  She was also telling me that her youngest daughter has adopted two Ukrainian special-needs children and is in the process of adopting a third.  What a special calling to take on three special needs children who speak no English.  Amazing things going on in her life, and I am so blessed to have re-connected with her.

Day 119 -- Final Tribute

I have dreaded this day--the day of burial, the day of the memorial service, the day of saying goodbye in a public way with friends and family by our sides.  All of that, of course, was a first I so longed to avoid.  However, the day was such a surprise to me.  We first went to the cemetery for burial and were blessed by a cool August day with a light breeze instead of strong winds with the dirt blowing as so often happens in this part of the world.  My cousin Stormy said all the right things in a short and beautiful way which brought a smile to my face instead of tears to my eyes.  Because it was a private ceremony, the people who surrounded us were family and the best of friends so we were loved through that short time.

Lunch at the church was beautifully served and prepared and a surprise awaited us when we got in the room to eat.  One of the church members had gone through years of photos taken at church events and the actually building of the church, and printed up all the pictures that my Dad was in.  It was such a great memorial to his love of the church and the activities within the church.  Dad was so instrumental in the building of the new church so there were lots of pictures of him with tools in hand and overalls on doing whatever task was at hand for the day.  Those were happy days for Dad, to be working hand in hand with others from the church to build a new place to worship the God they love. Many of the people in the photos with Dad had already claimed their place in heaven so I'm sure a good old reunion was taking place with stories being swapped about that big building project.

The memorial service was also led by my cousin Stormy who lost his dad this month as well.  He did such a wonderful job that again, all I could do was smile at the stories and affirmations he gave about Dad and his character.  I found out when I got to Haskell upon learning that Dad had taken a turn for the worse that he and Mom wanted me to play "How Great Thou Art" at the service, and I had fretted about it up to the moment I sat down.  It went very smoothly thanks to answered prayers, and I believe he was glad he spent all that money on piano lessons for so many years!

Today was a good day, and as one of our lifelong friends said, "This is the first time I've been to a funeral and enjoyed it" because it was so upbeat and positive--and short, which Dad had harped on for years!

Dad was such a gentle man, a kind man who never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings or give offense; a man of integrity whose word could be counted on; a man who worked hard and taught his children to do likewise; a man who seldom complained; a man who fiercely loved his family; a man with such a great sense of humor who was always picking on us about something to get a rise out of us; a man who loved to laugh; a man who had a soft heart and wasn't ashamed to cry; a man who loved children and who was deeply loved by children; a man we will miss the rest of our lives--not with sadness but with joy.

Day 118 -- A Day of Firsts and Lasts

Today we went to see Dad at the funeral home, and he looked so at peace and so much more like himself than during his last days at home.  He had on a blue Western shirt, Wrangler cowboy cut jeans and his belt just as we are used to seeing him.  This was a last goodbye as Mother wanted a closed casket.  We know where he is and that he has eternal life, but as humans we still yearn for the temporal body that we have known and loved.

Day 117 -- I'll Fly Away

Today Hospice came to visit Dad and it was obvious that he was failing more quickly.  He was not responding to being moved, poked or prodded as he had before.  She said 24-48 hours.  Then the Hospice aides came to give him a sponge bath and so I decided it was time to head for the church to practice How Great Thou Art.  Suddenly Jodi was in the church telling me to get home now, and I ran out to the car, driving like an idiot, pulling out in front of a big truck I'm told, but nonetheless, getting  to Dad's side before he left us.  What a peaceful leave taking as he took his final breathes.  We were all with him as he took his last breath with us and met his Savior in the same instance to receive his pain-free, new body in heaven.  We thanked God for taking him to his bosom, and we wept for ourselves because he was gone.  But what a glorious day he was having--as my brother said, I wish I could see what he sees now.  "When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away."

Day 116 -- Death Watch

Everything now revolves around being in the room with dad and needing to get out of the room with dad because he is fading so fast and it is so hard to watch.  I am so glad we have been able to keep him at home and that he is surround by his wife, children, and three of four grandchildren. We tell ourselves that he knows who we are and hears what we say to him--please God let it be so.  Friends and food continue to stream in and for this we are thankful as our minds are too full to deal with the mundane for very long.

Day 115 -- God in the house

As Dad continues to fade, we gathered in his room as a family to give him our permission to let go and go to his heavenly home for healing and wholeness.  Mom, Danny and I spoke to him telling him we will be okay and telling him what a wonderful husband and dad he has been.  We told him of our everlasting love for him, and how his training has made us able to take care of mom and the family and we are ready to shoulder that burden for him.  He heard us and squeezed our hands which is mostly his mode of communication, and his facial expressions.  Then we pulled up Amazing Grace on the iPad to play and I began singing it to him, and Sharon, Mandi, Jodi and Philip came in and joined us.  We could tell he was moved by it so we just kept on singing to him and he got so calm.  We must have sang for 30 minutes or more with lots of old hymns he knows and loves.  Then Danny prayed a powerful prayer over him with all of us and it was heaven on earth in that bedroom.  God blessed us as a family in those hour we were in there, and it was so beautiful.  I am so blessed to have such a strong Christian family--what do people do without that base.

Day 114 -- Friends, family, and formalities

Friends and family are coming to us in our time of waiting.  As God has promised, in our weakness he is strong, and he uses his earthy ambassadors that he knows we need to bring his love and hugs to us in a tangible way.  That started with Christina at the Haskell Funeral Home.  She is such a sweet lady and helped us through all the information and choices needed to honor dad--without a hang dog pitiful attitude which helped us get through what I'm sure could have been an awful experience.  That has helped us take our mind of that and focus more on Daddy.  Mother's best friend Evelyn comes and goes as one of the family, and ladies from her church have been by.  Then my long time friends Judi Chapman, Patsy Blakley and Pam Gibson came to the house bearing gifts of food and friendship.  As the day progressed Aunt Peggy and Stormy, Philip, Bill, Jodi and Mandi got here to make the circle almost complete--if only we could have Cody and Cassie with us.  

Daddy continues to teach us in his quiet way as he always has--this time the lessons are about dying and finishing his earthly race strong.  His life lessons are ingrained in us as his children and grandchildren and even great-grandchildren--and this last lesson is the hardest of all, but just as much needed as all the others.  Life means death for all of us in this fallen world, and we don't get many lessons on the latter.  Hospice is also a big help to us in learning about dying, and we appreciate them so much.

Day 113 -- Answers

Today we had an appointment with Big Country Hospice at 11:00, and they came to evaluate dad and tell us about their services.  They gave us concrete details and answered all our questions, giving us much peace so we were happy to commit to their services for dad.  The prognosis brings us great sadness but not treat surprise.  We have many sad days to come, but we have help, dad and mom have help through this great program and we are so thankful for it.

Day 112 -- Breaking up another travel day to Haskell

Today I left about noon for Haskell to help with Dad.  There are so few ways to break this trip up, but I settled on going by the house Avis and Harry are buying in Comanche to see it from the outside first hand.  I knew it was close to some other friends of all ours so it wasn't hard to find--and it is beautiful.  Sits on 8 acres of pretty land with majestic oaks, a tank and from what I could see of the outside of the house, it is really nice.  They aren't closing on it until January at the request of the owners who want one more Christmas in the house.  I'm so proud for them but don't like the idea that at some point they will be moving so far from us compared to where they are now.  After driving by it, instead of driving back to town and hitting my highway, I continued down the little FM road to see what would happen.  I ended up going through a little town called Beattie and did get back to HWY 36.

Front of Avis' house

Entrance gate to property

Right before I got to Rising Start, I ran into quite a little thunderstorm with heavy rain, but it was moving quickly and so was I in the opposite direction so it didn't last long.  The skies were so pretty while that cloud was moving through!  Added some interest to my drive as well as the Audible book I was listening to and finished just as I drove into Haskell.  

Day 111 -- Visit to Mississippi

Yesterday I visited Alabama for the first time, and today I visited Mississippi for the first time.  Ruth asked me Sunday how I had missed these two states when I had been to Florida, and I told it was because I've only flown to Florida--never driven there!  So I drove from Tuscaloosa, AL, to the Louisiana state line and got to new Mississippi from the front seat of the van where I could see it very well.  The part we drove through was beautiful--part of it a National Forest.  We stopped at their Visitor's Center for a rest stop and it was really pretty as well.

We got a kick out of the name of this town!

Day 110 -- The Great American Eclipse

We have come to the big day for the total eclipse going all the way across America.  We have driven a long way just for this moment this afternoon.  Last night we decided that after the eclipse, we would head toward home but would go a longer way through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and then to Texas so we would be packed and ready to leave when the eclipse was over.  So we got our car packed, had a great breakfast at a place we discovered called Peter D's at which we ate dinner on Saturday night and then breakfast this morning.  Then we stacked out a place in the parking lot outside our hotel below a tree giving great shade, set up our lawn chairs and began the watch of the eclipse.  A few minutes after 11:59, we began to see a small bite out of the sun as the shadow of the moon began its encroachment on the sun.  It was fascinating to watch and it went really fast it seemed.  After it started at 11:59 or so, it went to totality at 1:34 or so and was over by 2:00.  But what a awesome sight it was to watch.  At totality, it became dusk immediately and the sky all around had the look of a sunset, all automatic lights in the hotels and parkings lots came on, all shadows disappeared and then suddenly it was coming back.  The corona (glow around the moon from the sun) was awesome and we were able to look at it without glasses for maybe 30-40 seconds before the sun peeped back out on the other side of the shadow.  Then everything starting brightening up and it was done.  It brought tears to my eyes in its show of the sovereignty of God in his universe, his creation and our lives.  This is a first I will never forget although it may have taken less time than any other thing.  I can not wait for the one that will happen in Texas on August 8, 2024, and go right over our river place in Kempner.  This may or may not have been a sign or warning from God as many say, but it was certainly a manifestation of God.  "Rise up above the sky, O God!  May your splendor cover the whole earth!"  Psalms 57:5 NET

Our little camp out for the eclipse

Tried to take photo but didn't work although only about an eighth of sun was shining

Don't know exactly what Harry hoped to see!

Used this bus shadow as example of how it was before and during eclipse

Sky and car lights during eclipse

Parking lot lights came on during eclipse

Tiny bit of sun showing and sky lighting up

Totality aken at Ft. Bragg 

NASA photo of totality

My favorite photo of totality of eclipse

After we left Murphreesboro, we headed toward Alabama to spend the night in Tuscaloosa.  Our wrought took us through Lynchburgh, TN, home of Jack Daniels whiskey so we stopped by at their visitor's center.  The interesting thing about the whiskey brewery is that it is in a dry county in Tennessee so tastings can't take place there.  It was interesting to see the place which has kind of turned into a Jack Daniel's Disneyland.  The most interesting thing we saw was the barrel shop where they take old whiskey barrels and make them into furniture and other decorative items for homes--if that's how you want to decorate.  

Historical marker for the distillery

Inside the learning center at Jack Daniels Distillery

The gift shop, barrel shop for Jack Daniels

Along with all these firsts, another occurred for me today:  I visited the state of Alabama for the first time.

Day 109 -- Civil War History and Tennessee reunion with Watts

This morning we got up with plans to do some exploring of Civil War history and found ourselves going to the Stone River Battlefield in Murphreesboro not very far from our hotel.  In fact, the original battlefield would have included where our hotel is located as well as a huge mall, a hospital and other commercial things.  This battlefield saw such fierce fighting for 3 days that it was the largest number of casualties for the Union in the entire Civil War and the 2nd larges number of casualties for the South excepting Gettysburg.  The North ended up victorious and probably swung the final advantage to the North in winning the war and keeping the nation together.  At the National Battlefield visitor's center, we bought a CD that gave an audio tour of the battlefield and we were able to drive through it getting the history and quotes from first-hand journals of some soldiers to the fighting which took place.  It was a very sobering thing to listen to.  We stopped at each point on the CD and we all got out at several of them to walk the area to see what the soldiers faced in the form of rough granite strewn landscape dense with forest and the open places that became the "slaughter pens" as the Yankees from the Chicago group called it based on their knowledge of the slaughter pens in the Chicago meat packing area.  A large National Cemetery for the Yankees was across from the battlefield and a sobering reminder of the price paid to save the union of the US.  Of course, the South fiercely believed in their side's right as well and suffered huge casualties themselves.  Your nation is founded on blood from the Revolution to today's war in the Middle East.  What a humbling realization for civilians.

Bible found on the battlefield

Artillery

Rough footing of granite outcroppings which charging soldiers tripped over

Thickness of the woods

Small part of cemetery for the Northern dead

Memorial

One of many verses posted in the cemetery

National Battlefield Cemetery

After the visit to the Battlefield, we headed to Nashville to meet up with the Watts at their hotel to visit and then have dinner while Avis and Harry went to Sparta to visit Harry's cousin who lives there.  I watched the kids swim while Bill took a nap and then we all congregated in the lobby and had a great visit before having dinner in their hotel.  Great day looking forward the the big eclipse tomorrow and knowing we will always all have this in common.

Day 108 -- Tennessee Bound

Today we are headed out to the great eclipse event in Tennessee.  We have our bags packed, our picnic supplies in a cooler, our rent car to pick up at noon, and we are off.  Today should see us just get out of Texas before stopping for the night.  To me, this is a wild and crazy trip we are taking--one that I would never have dreamed of doing on my own.  But because we have surrounded ourselves with crazy (I mean adventurous) people like Avis and Harry, we are all in on this.  I think this is one reason we should all have good friends--they fill in our gaps, push us to things we wouldn't do ourselves, and make all of it so much fun.  Last night at dinner as we were making our final plans for the trip with them, we learned they had purchased a house in Comanche--beautiful house on 8 acres with barn and tank.  I casually mentioned it seemed like a long commute from Comanche to Georgetown for work, and they said oh no, this is their "country" home but they will still live in Jerrell--now that's kind of crazy to me but we will benefit by getting invited to go to their "country" home with them no doubt!  Avis also showed me a picture of a 128 year old covered wagon that she also bought--she's going to make it into a chuck wagon!  That's also a bit crazy to me--but fun!  I'm sure a horse will come next to pull it--she'll be in every parade in Texas with that thing!

So, you can see that we are looking forward to this trip because wild and crazy things will happen on it no doubt!  Tomorrow will be Avis and Harry's anniversary so we will celebrate that in Tennessee tomorrow night.  Hopefully we will see the Watts while we are there--another crazy thing--to travel that distance to meet up with family.  I'm thankful today for family, friends, and this wild and crazy life I get to live.  I won't get anymore posts done while I'm gone, but I know new things will be happening as we go along so stay tuned!

Day 107 -- Be Still and Know That I Am

I have volunteered to be a co-teacher of a women's Bible Study  group at our church with my good friend Jill Heffner.  I've never taught a class since going to TBC because the virtual size of the church intimidates me I think.  But she travels about as much as I do and has led this group for several years, and asked if I would co-teach with her so that we could back each other up as both of us have hectic schedules.  Twenty of the women in the group have been studying together for many years--three of us are new and I'm one of the leaders which again is intimidating--hoping they will accept me into this group they are comfortable with.  Today, the Women's Ministry leader at our church, Amy, held a retreat for all leaders of women's Bible studies for the fall at a retreat not far from my house called Cedar Brake.  It is actually owned by the Catholic Diocese and I have always heard what a beautiful place it is.  Anyone can rent out parts of it for retreats or meetings, and on Wednesdays it is open to the public at large who can come and enjoy the quiet for a time of meditation or solitude or prayer and Bible study with a friend.  Anyway, we met at one of the meeting rooms there, and Amy taught us how to lead our classes with tips and ideas and outlines, etc.  We got our books, talked and had question and answer and prayer.  One neat thing that she did was give half the group at a time a one-hour quiet time to go walking through the retreat on the trails, etc. so we could have a time to pray and meditate and read some of the material we had been given.  We were to not talk during that time--except to God!  I wandered down a trail that led to a cliff ledge overlooking the Leon River.  I couldn't actually see the river because the tree growth was so dense, but I could hear the water running and a waterfall somewhere nearby.  I found a shady place to sit on the rock ledge (while looking to be sure there was no cactus, ants, rattlesnakes, etc. per my new awareness campaign talked about yesterday!) and settled in to read an article that we had been given.  It was absolutely delightful to sit there on a hot day, in a shade with a breeze blowing, water flowing, sky blue, birds overhead and just be still.  It was a worshipful setting and an uplifting time--and I plan to make my way back there on Wednesday mornings from time to time to soak up that feeling again and again.

Meeting room

rock ledge overlooking river way below

My perch

Name of area I was sitting

Entire grounds are shaded with trees

Entrance