Good news and Bad news

Many things have transpired since I last blogged. Sandra died July 29 at 9:05 pm. I was with her the last 2 days and was able to share some special thoughts with her. It was a very hard thing to watch as she suffered so before she died. Les, Meredith, Joe and her mother, Betty, were by her side for the last few days and I know she felt comfort in all the support she received. The funeral was on Sat. August 2 at the church building. Many friends and family came to show their love for her and the family. Les asked that I write something about our relationship since Tim, the preacher, had only known Sandra for 4 months and didn't have many personal things to say. I thought some of you might want to read what I wrote.

Tribute to a good friend
Donna Kirkbride

Les asked me to write a few words about Sandra and bring a bit of “Life” to her service. This may not have been what he intended, but nevertheless, here it is.

Sandra and I became friends 33 years ago when we moved to Cleveland and Meredith and Lisa started kindergarten together. We were so young and soon realized that we needed each other for encouragement in the trials of first time school parents. We soon began a long trek that included Brownies, Girl Scouts , youth group chaperones, class parties, skating rinks, bowling, and the teen-age years. Along the way, she acquired Les (or Lesley) as we called him then. Later, she loved to tell about how he cried constantly for probably 6 months or so and how he got thrown out of several nurseries in Cleveland. It seemed that the minute she left, he started howling !!! It was quite a nightmare. I remember taking him one Sat. afternoon for 3 hours so she could sleep. He cried the entire time he was with me. I have no idea how she and Joe stood it!! He’s turned into quite a nice young man in spite of his rocky start and Sandra was so very proud of him. We always teased her about Les being the “Gifted One” that she would give homage to when he came home from Tampa.

Meredith and her family were the lights of her life. She became Mamma San when Braxton was born and Joe was always Poppa Joe. Going to Woodville to visit those 3 boys were such special times for her. She’d always come back with stories that we’d have so much fun laughing about. Of course, she was very willing to listen to my wonderful grandchildren stories. When I’d return from a Texas visit, she’d always say, “Any more grandchildren on the way?”

Trips to McAllen, TX, and the beach were early favorite vacation spots. Several trips were made leaving very early in the morning with either Les or Meredith throwing up along the way. Sometimes it was both of them and Sandra. Poor Joe!!

Since I don’t have a sister nor did she, we often referred to each other as our sisters in Christ and in real life!! Sandra set such a good example to everyone she met and that was such an inspiration to me. No matter what was happening in her life, I could always count on her to be a listening ear, a helping hand, and a shoulder to cry on. The last time I talked with her on Monday before she died, she told Meredith she had some secrets to tell me……she could hardly talk at that point and just took my hand and rubbed her heart. That said it all for me. I reminded her of all the special times we had had and that she was getting to heaven before me to greet all those who had already gone. Bob was a special friend to her and I know they’re having a great celebration now.

She told Lisa last week not to worry about her because Jesus was seeing her through this. Her faith made her ready to go meet Jesus and God. She had been such a stalwart supporter of everything good and we could always depend on her to carry food, visit, teach, and encourage others. Her example at work was outstanding and her co-workers had great respect for her. Every Friday after work she would appear at my house and we would visit for an hour. She would inquire how my job in “Stamping out Ignorance” was going and I would ask if she was “Protecting my Tax Dollar”.

I think Sandra holds the record for taking back things the most. No matter what she’d buy, it usually ended up going back to the store a week or so later. My favorite story was when we made a trip to Memphis to take back a pair of black pants and after trying on every pair of black pants in the store, she came home with the original pair!!! She made me promise not to tell Joe!!! Just ask Joe how many Chandeliers he put up and took down before she finally kept one!!! That’s right up there with returning 3 refrigerators to Sears!!!! (One just looked too short to her.) She made Mike a delicious Italian cake to make up for her returns.

So, good-bye to a good friend! Special friends are very hard to find and I’ll miss her more than I can say. She was thinking about me when she said, “I want Lowell to sit by you at my funeral…..you’ll need him more than I will as a pall bearer”. It’s been a wonderful trip with Sandra as my friend and I have memories I’ll always cherish.

It's been a rather sad month, but I know Sandra is sooooo much better off and that makes it ok. In the midst of all that, we've had 6 grandchildren here for several days at a time. We took them 2 at a time so we could handle them. Lisa, Austin, and Krista were our first visitors. They were followed by Wilson and Bowen. We brought them back home with us after going to Denison to watch their Christian Theater Workshop presentation. It was quite a production.

Luke was a Hebrew.

Wilson was also a Hebrew.

Bowen was Cush an Egyptian and Easton was a Hebrew.

David and Lisa and their families came for Sandra's funeral and they left Easton and Luke here for a week. I took them to meet David in Magnolia, AR, on Sat. and then visited Marty in Rayville, LA, and Diane Hankins in Monroe, La. Came home Tues and slept until NOON on Wed. It was quite a month.

Nashville to see Brian and Peace visit

Mother and I went to Nashville July 8th to welcome Brian home from China. He was very tired and thin!!! It was great to see him. We spent the night in the Hyatt that Michael got us on priceline for $55/night. It was really fancy and nice. We shopped, ate, visited and generally enjoyed seeing all the Nashville Neals. Don't think that I didn't go.....here's proof!!

We celebrated Avery's 4th birthday at a restaurant and enjoyed eating and singing and opening presents. Here's Avery with Gmother's present, a doll with red hair.

We got home in time to prepare for the Peace visit. Lisa, Austin, and Krista arrived from Houston on Wednesday and will be leaving Monday morning. We've been having a very good time playing cards, board games, and swimming. Austin has learned to play Nurtz and loves it. Nonna and Austin partnered to come in 2nd at the Nurtz Olympics and beat Lisa. We did beat Stacey and Lisa in the first round and felt very victorious!!! We feel there a challenge game coming tonight!! We'll be at the church ice cream supper and will be playing games after we eat.

While the game was going on Krista, Suz, and Molly Beth played tea party and enjoyed eating fruit salad with whipped cream. Imagine what they looked like when they were finished.

Joan and Mark Stiles were kind enough to let us use their pool and the children have thoroughly enjoyed many hours of sun and water. The Neals joined us today and that was awesome!!!! Matthew won the prize for catching the most balls in a row while jumping from the diving board.

Austin and Krista are quite good at making up names of dives. Such as the fish run. And the Hannah Montana walk. Grandmother loves Austin to dive off the diving board for her.

4th of July

Happy Independence Day!!!!! Lowell was reminding us that 12 years ago today we were landing in the London airport and being told "Happy July 4th" by an Englishman. Seemed a little strange to hear that from him. I guess he decided to let by gones be by gones.

This has been an unbelieveable week. On Monday my best friend, Sandra, found out that her cancer had returned in a BIG way. It's pretty much spread into her brain, liver, sinus cavity, and bones. She's undergoing 10 radiation treatments for pain. She's very weak and has lost so much weight in a short period of time that I want to cry when I look at her. Her son and daughter are here for a few days and I know they're trying hard to adjust to the news, just like we all are. Her husband, Joe, has been such a strong support through all of this and I'm concerned about what he'll do if the unthinkable happens. Gee, I can't even make myself think the words, "If she dies". We have been friends for many years and have been through good times and bad times together and I have difficulty thinking about life without her. Who will I complain about Lowell to? Who will I tell when my children disappoint me or make me happy? I told Lowell last night that I didn't have any other friends locally who are as close to me as she is. Is it too late for me to find another friend? Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Needless to say, this has been a sad week for me. I'm so glad that retirement will allow me to be with Sandra and give her all the support and help I can. Please pray for her, her family, and all of us who love her.

We celebrated today by having Mother, Vail, Joyce and Joe Garrison over for a meal. Everyone brought something and Lowell and I only had to provide the place to eat and cook the meat. Right now I am sooooo stuffed!!! I hope I can make it through the rest of the day without eating.....I always say that and then by 7:00 I'm opening the refrig.

Michael Neal and his friend Matthew are playing golf in Grenada and then will drive to Cleveland and eat steaks with Vail and Gmother tonight around 9:00 pm. Right now it's storming here and I hope they're having a nice day in Grenada. They'll be leaving to go back to Nashville after breakfast tomorrow, so it'll be a quick visit.

David and his family are at home with an additional child, Cooper, visiting for a few days. He's their nephew from Nashville and he's touring the south staying with various aunts . I believe he's Wilson's age. Wilson begins his all-star games next Wed. and Thur.

Lisa and family are in Paris, TX, with Kelley's parents. They go there every 4th of July and always have fun fishing and visiting. I wish we lived a little closer so we could get on their circuit, but Cleveland is 10 hours from Houston. They may spend Sat. night with David and then go home on Sun. Their vacational Bible school begins Mon night and they have to be home early to practice for the skits. Austin's been gone from home for 2 weeks......visiting with the Kirkbrides in Denison and then his Peace grandparents in Paris.

I hope you are enjoying a day off from your regular duties!!!

Viking Cooking School

On Saturday we headed for Greenwood, MS, and the Viking Cooking School. We were excited to be able to attend this famous cooking school. Karen was a little hesitant since she informed us all that she didn't like to cook........she's the cleaner-upper. We were already laughing about the class because when Marty, Pat, and I lived in Canada we had some funny times cooking. I was absolutely the messiest cook around and drove Pat crazy because she was assigned to clean up after me. She just knew I planned to use every pot in the kitchen just so she'd have many dishes to wash!!! Would I do something like that? Any way, Pat, Kay, and Karen are very neat and Marty and I just are great cooks, but have the handle on being messy. (Marty was insulted when I put her in my classification!!)

We were given Viking aprons and a cookbook with the recipes we were preparing. The title of the class was Bar-B-Q and we prepared lamb kabobs, shortribs, boston butt, shrimp quasadillas, pears stuffed with almond paste, & vegetable kabobs. Everything was DELICIOUS. Our quasadillas were just a little different..... we had leftover paprika and had no idea where it was to go, so we sprinkled it on the outside!!

When all the cooking was finished, we sat down to a wonderful meal. There were 8 other students in the class and they were from Columbus, MS, and Baton Rouge, LA. It was really a fun day. Afterwards we shopped in the retail store and guess who bought a food processor? Karen!!! We couldn't believe it since she doesn't like to cook.

We did a little shopping in Cleveland and then went home tired but happy. It was loads of fun.

Sunday we worshipped together and then Karen headed home to keep her 6 yr. old granddaughter Lucy for a few days. Kay left early (5:30) Mon. and Marty and Pat left at 9:30. I didn't even dress on Mon., just bummed out on the couch.

To those of you who haven't kept up with college friends, you need to plan on doing the yearly reunion thing. We haven't missed a year since 1993 and each year brings more joy. I challenge you to decide to do something like this.....it's really a great experience!!

Next year, the Lord willing, we'll be in Decatur, AL, at Kay's house.

Our Harding Girls' Week-end was great!! Everyone arrived on Thurs. and it was just wonderful to see each and every face. Pat Yick, Arkansas, Marty Harrell, Louisiana, Kay Tyler, Alabama, and Karen Bolls, Kentucky. We think it's strange that we're all from different states. We first met each other in the fall of 1961 as freshmen as Harding College. We all started out in the same dorm, Patti Cobb and eventually ended up in separate places. Kay left during our Sophomore year, I think, and finished at David Lipscomb. Karen married and lived in an apartment in Searcy. Pat's mother moved to Searcy to work at the college and they lived in a little apartment on the edge of campus. Marty and I stayed our entire 4 years in the same dorm with different roommates. We teased Marty that all of her roommates used her as a stopping off point on their way to the wedding!! We have a difficult time even keeping all her roommates straight.

Each year when we get together, we enjoy thinking about the "good old" days and catching up on all the news for the past year. (Marty, Kay, Mr. McCarty Donna, Karen, and Pat.) I won't rename us for each picture.

Friday we toured McCarty's Pottery in Merigold where we met Mr. Lee McCarty (87 yrs old) the owner. He give us a big hug and flirted wayyyy too much. I hope that was sweet tea he was drinking!! We then went to his competitor Peter's Pottery in Mound Bayou. Several pieces were purchased.

We ate lunch at the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale. It was quite a place with writing on everything!! I can only imagine how that place must rock at night. Morgan Freeman is part owner of this and another restaurant in Clarksdale. We loved the food....fried catfish, fried okra, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and hot cinnomon buns for dessert. Yummy!! We even got to stand on the stage and sit on the couches on the front porch. We felt VERY southern.

Our next stop was the Delta Blues Museum. Most of the singers we had never heard of, but it was fun listening and looking at all the pictures.

Trip to Denison

We went to Denison to visit the children and help David with the 6 when Christine flew to Nashville, TN. for her sister's wedding. We had a great time and were nearly exhausted when we returned home 5 days later!!

Wilson and Poppa


Ty and Poppa

Bowen and Poppa.

Beth Anne and Christine.

Beth Anne doing the "Take me". I just loved that!!

We attended 4 ball games and then watched several practices in the backyard. All the boys are quite good at baseball. Luke is in T-ball and plays short stop. Wilson is in coach pitch and is a catcher, short stop and first base. Bowen is in kid pitch and usually plays short stop. Easton is the in 11-13 league and plays first base and short stop. He occassionally catches and is just the image of David at that age as catcher!! Brings back lots of good memories.

Wilson was chosen to play on the all stars. Bowen and Easton couldn't be in the group to be selected because of other commitments. Easton was given an award for ability plus sportsmanship that is given to one child in each league. We were very proud of all of them.

Easton left on Sun. afternoon for Arlington, TX, with the youth group. They were involved in a service project to help build and paint houses. There were 3 middle school boys and ll girls. He seemed to really enjoy it.









David isn't coaching this year because of the number of games the boys have. They are in the ball park 6 nights a week. I think they were glad to see the season end. Beth Anne and Ty go to every game and do great.

Wilson and Easton are good at watching Beth Anne. Bowen is also. Ty tries to carry her and that's a little difficult for him.

It was hot at the games. Thankfully, most of them were at 6:00 and that helped alot. We ate a lot of McDonalds and Pizza at C-C's . I tried to cook once and wasn't very successful. I don't know how they manage to get all the food and the children at the table at one time!!!

Beth Anne loved my camera case and walked all around with it around her neck. She's so cute walking around. Falls often, but hops right back up.

Luke is a hoot. He told me that "there's some kissing at the end of this video.....just overlook it"!!!

This is Bowen at shortstop.

Poppa giving Beth Anne a ride.

Ty getting ready to slam the ball. He's quite a hitter already and can hardly wait until he can play T-ball.

Christine had a good time in Nashville, but was glad to get back home and get some loving!!





I still haven't learned how to manage this blog. Everything is just too spaced. I'll try to get with Stacey Neal and find out how she does such a good job. I'll have more pictures later this week of the "Harding Girls". We had a great time and everyone left Mon. It's always great to see everyone. Take care and I'll talk more later.