Valentine Day

Found this cute little Valentine idea on Pinterest! I think I'll make a couple of them! Washie Tape, lifesavers, stickon letters, a piece of cardstock and you're done! I bet you have someone in your life that is your own personal lifesaver!

The photo is of my sweet friends, and former (now retired) co-workers: Dorothy Crutchfield and Diane Sosebee. It was taken at the library during the past year, when Dorothy came back for a visit; Diane came over with muffins and lemon curd, and we prepared coffee in the kitchen like old times! What a joy it was to work with these two ladies! We had many of the same interests, and hobbies! We enjoyed reading the same books, and talking about them! We shared a closeness that many envied. Our sweet Diane went home this past Sunday morning while in church--she went from one House of the Lord to her Heavenly Home after taking her last communion--who knew it would be her last? She went quickly--so quickly, and it's been a hard week for all of her loved ones. Her family is hosting a Celebration of Life Service for her in that same church this coming Sunday, Valentine's Day--how appropriate!~ Share the Love, as she always did, so unselfishly!

I really do mean well

Yes, it's already February, and it was late December when I wrote my last post. As the title indicates, I really do mean well. I mean to get to writing, and just expressing my thoughts, or give you some uplifting advice, or some Scripture, but life just gets in my way! It was a wonderful Christmas with the family! All of my children were home for Christmas, and they arrived in time to attend and participate in our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, and young Alex took his first Communion with us that evening. Precious child! Both of the boys did exceptionally well, I thought, and their great grandparents would have been tickled to know that they were worshipping in church where we all grew up! I loved it! It was the very best of my Christmas Memories! I will always cherish that evening together! Always! The twins brought their significant others along for Christmas and I am so glad to see both of them happy! Changes are afoot, and they are good changes, I think! We enjoyed sharing our Christmas Traditions with all of them, and making new traditions too! Claire and the grandsons got to stay over a little longer, once Chris left to go back to NC, and thankfully, despite some hardships, he did get home safely! We all enjoyed being together as long as we possibly could! Birthdays came for two of our family members: Chris celebrated his birthday, and Katie's Mike celebrated his--in a most frightening way though! Our dear Mike had a birthday, and on the 2nd of January of the New Year, suffered a heart attack! It was frightening for all! An ordeal I don't wish on anyone, even one so young! 29! Thankfully, our family knows that if you seek God, He answers! And mercy me, He answered! Katie started a GoFundMe account for Mike Elmore, and if you're so inclined, please consider giving to help offset his medical expenses. He was in the military, and VA is not helping as they should! Lots of rough road ahead of him; yet, God has big plans for this young man! He gave him another chance at life, even when the doctors had lost hope, and given him none! God DOES answer our prayers! Praise GOD! January came and went, with blessings every day, and setbacks along the way; however, we got through January and February has dawned already! February is bringing its' own challenges, as we're saying goodbye to another dear friend. It sure is hard getting older and having to say goodbye to friends who have always been a part of our lives. Well, I'll leave that for another day--not quite ready to speak of it all. As I said, I do mean well--to keep writing and keep my creative spirit alive...we'll see how the month works out.

Letter to my Mama

The year 2015 has been a hard year, in my viewpoint--it was another year of healing in regard to our Mama's death in January 2014; and still so much to get thru in the grieving process; things we all three had to learn how to do without Mama at our side--we had leaned on her heavily since Daddy's death--and don't think we realized what a gap there would be without her at our beck and call. She was always there for each of us--no matter what we needed--if it was a pound cake, a making of fudge, date & nut bars; or come hither to help me do such and such--she was right there! If I wanted to go wandering around, she was always game to go! She supported each of her grandchildren in any and every endeavor they undertook; same with her girls; and even with her great grandchildren when possible! Mama was right there in every church function--serving as assistant in the kitchen on 'her' Wednesday Supper Nights!; Sunday School; Wednesday Night "Pie-Eating" as she referred to it; Worship Service every Sunday at 11:00 AM. Sunday School potlucks and parties; hosting them when she could; having or hosting lunch for her Sunday School teachers, particularly Mrs. Willene Johnston Whatley! Boy, those ladies loved gathering around each other's tables! And supping together! Sharing and swapping recipes; stories--and oh how we enjoyed reading her stories that she wrote down! Family Reunion times would come around, and she had so much fun being with her Beasley Clan! Though it was awfully hard to do, that first year after she'd passed away, I hosted the family reunion and we had a blast--in her memory! It was tough, but she would have wanted us all to gather--and we did! And the tables were laden with food! So much food! And memories were made! We thought of you lots, Mama--every day, I think of you! I think about you and Daddy, and how blessed I was that God chose you as my parents! What an awesome legacy you left behind, Mama and Daddy! Mama,this year, 2015, so many changes--and yet, things seemed to stay the same--the children were growing, and spreading their wings a bit more--your youngest grandchild has learned to drive, gotten his permit and now, license, and can go back and forth without his Mama, your youngest daughter. We divided up some household belongings, and I bet you'll be glad to know--that we did it without any squabbling! The firstborn daughter decided she would like y'all's first dining room suite--the Duncan Phyffe set--I was pleased about that--and the fact that she appreciated the American Fostoria pattern that we loved so much! I am hoping it will all bring her great joy; as she loves entertaining as much as the rest of us! It will indeed be a treat for her, and her friends, as they gather together to celebrate this and that! As I moved around and discovered 'old things' in the house, I would come across things that meant something to each of us, or the grandchildren--and I've 'saved' those, Mama, to give to the children at an appropriate time. I think you'd like that--you and Daddy, to know that they each wanted something of yours. Even your friends, Mama--wanted scraps of memories--like a recipe written in your handwriting; or some small memento of times spent with you. Uncle Mel, your sweet brother, misses you very much! We've stayed in touch with him, celebrating his birthday with him; visiting him at Easter, and other times when possible. He came to the family reunion, and enjoyed seeing so many celebrate with him: the meaning of FAMILY! Another event that occurred to cause sadness was when my best friend, Shirley Parker Taylor, passed away unexpectedly in the fall of this year-it was awful, just awful. Not a day goes by that I don't remember something we'd be doing this time last year, or some story we'd share; or I might be doing something and start to call her, and remember belatedly that she wasn't here to talk to. She stood by my side so many times in the past--always there with a smile or a comforting hand to let me know how much she cared! She once said to me, that with both her parents gone, how being close to mine helped her so much! I'm so glad you and Daddy were always welcoming to our friends and their children! Mama, this has turned into a letter to you--I've talked to you often--verbally--and in my heart--and I know you're there--because I feel your presence every time I talk to you. I don't have to visit the cemetery to talk with you, though I do it there too--sometimes, like when we were little girls, and would get sick, and just cry out 'Mama'--sometimes I do that still--and instantly I can almost feel your hand on my brow, smoothing back my curls and saying 'it's going to be all right, all right' and I know it's true. I sometimes feel renewed strength even when I'm feeling weak, Mama, and I know it's because of you. Christmas is just around the corner, Mama--in just a few days, it'll be your favorite time of year! The children and grandchildren will be home, Mama--and squeals of delight and laughter will fill the house again! I'm ready! No, not really--not ready materially, but ready emotionally for having some voices rather than just my own to fill the home you and Daddy made for us! As usual, I've still got boxing and wrapping to do tonight! And even last minute shopping details to take care of tomorrow and perhaps even on Christmas Eve! I really do hope that some of the kids will be able to go to the Christmas Eve Service at our church! That's another thing, Mama, I meant to share with you--though, I kind of think you already know! I've started being more active in church again, Mama. I haven't started attending Sunday School yet, but am going on Sunday mornings, and well, 'Grace' here, is singing in the choir again, and having lots of fun! And I remember what I was taught so well, if you sing on Sunday, you practice on the Wednesday before--if you don't practice, you don't sing! Well, Anita makes sure that we practice and sing! Other than when I was gone to NC and afterward, sick with a bad sinus infection, I've not missed any! We had a beautiful Christmas Cantata and program a few weeks ago--several times during the preparation of it all, I thought of you, Daddy and me sitting in the congregation listening to the choir. What precious memories for me! We went caroling last Wednesday evening--it was so special to be included in that special time--I remembered so well what it meant to you when 'your' church choir came caroling that last year for you! I cry every time I think about it. As a matter of fact, I still can't sing "There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place" yet--because, well, Mama, remember how you and I sang it that last week that you were here? We were listening to your gospel CDs and one of them went off, and we started talking about Jesus--and how blessed we were to have him for a Heavenly Father--to look after us. I reminded you that you and Daddy had brought us up to focus on Him in our time of need--our time of joy--anytime--and how sweet it was that we'd had you both as parents, and that we'd be okay. And you mentioned that your Daddy, your sister Delana, had been visiting you just recently--and knowing that both of them were in Heaven, I knew then, that it wasn't going to be too long--so we just started singing that song, and you hummed along--it was indeed a very sweet, sweet spirit in that place--right there in your bedroom, Mama. Writing this letter to you today, Mama, has helped me, as it always does--I feel your sweet spirit right here with me, as I type these words, and reflect on this past year. I'm hoping that this Christmas will be one of our brightest and best in a while--and we can look forward to new beginnings and love in the New Year! Merry Christmas in Heaven, Mama and Daddy! Love you!

Sasser Family Research

I've been working on my family tree lately--whenever I get the chance. For instance, right after I returned from the native land of NC where both my family lines of Beasley and Sasser originated from, I began in earnest to do some much needed research. You know, how we read something and even though we've read it ten thousand times before, it's all of a sudden like a light bulb goes on and you REALLY READ IT and SEE WHAT IT SAYS!! As if you're seeing it for the first time! So, in researching Benjamin Sasser, who was reportedly born in Somerset MD back in the early 1770s, I looked again at his Rev War Pension Record where he states very plainly that he was born in Dobbs County North Carolina. Dobbs County which is in existence no more, but definitely was during the time of his life. If he was of firm mind when this application was taken, you'd think that of all the folks, He would KNOW where he was born! He also stated in his application that this information was recorded in a family Bible that was in the possession of his son, Frederick Sasser. So, I began to research online and in the books that are in my library here, for anything to indicate that our ancestor, Benjamin Sasser, was indeed born in Dobbs County NC instead of Somerset MD...and I believe I'm on to something. I've joined WikiTree to upload our family info there, in hopes of networking with other Sasser descendants. Now, if I can talk some of our SASSER guys into DNA testing, perhaps we'll see if we can link up and find out if our Sasser came from Germany, or elsewhere! Wish me luck!

Busyness

I keep saying I'm going to keep this blog active; and then, BAM! Life Happens, and it gets away from me, and it's been weeks since I Posted! Too much busyness, I guess! I mean well, seriously, I do! No one reads it much, though, except me! So, guess it really isn't making a difference--life happens!

Seasons: Growing and Changing

Been a difficult past few months~~ lost a very dear sweet friend~~ a friendship I've cherished for many, many years~~ I have barely imagined life without her~~ every single day I think of my sweet friend Shirley who had always been there, a phone call away, for me and so many of our 'co-conspirators'! We have grieved, we have laughed and Lord Yes, we have cried so many tears mixed in with the jokes, the remembrances, the stories~~ it's been so terribly, terribly hard to go thru a day without sunshine--because that was what her friendship to all of us was like! Pure Sunshine! Losing my Mama a year and a half ago was so hard--it's taken me this long to get thru a day with out shedding a tear--and now, mourning the loss of the one who stood beside me then, she's not here! Like losing Mama all over again--but the one I cried to then is the one I'm crying after now! I'm working my way through it, in sharing her stories, her laughter and her love that she always shared with each of us. I'm trying to be a better friend to others, like how she was to me and to our mutual friends. I'm trying really hard, Shirley Parker Taylor, in your memory, my sweet friend. Work has been busy, and that's always a good thing. If one keeps the hands and mind busy, you manage to get thru more days a lot easier, I believe. Getting the genealogy and archives room here at work ready for the Harvest Season is always a joy to me--simply because FALL is my Favorite SEASON!! Yes indeed! I love the crisp fall air, the falling leaves, the muted colors, the oranges, browns, golden hues, burnt reds, and muted greens of every living thing. I love the scent of the Sweet Olive in the evening air; the sound and sights of the birds as they hunt for the seed pods and berries drying on the vine; the sights of the squirrels in the pecan trees as they get my green pecans--yes, even then! They chase each other round and round--and sometimes I catch sight of our rare albino tailed squirrel! Listening to the woodpeckers as they drill holes in the hollow trees, looking for grub and laugh out loud when I hear them trying to peck a hole in a metal pole! The fall asters, sunflowers, late lantanas always bring out the late arrivals of hummingbirds and butterflies. Scarecrows and hay bales, and pumpkins begin to appear on doorsteps, entry ways, mailboxes, and porches all around town and even out in the countryside. So much fun to decorate this time of year!

Historic Downtown Evergreen is getting into the decorating mode for the upcoming Annual Sausage Festival! Our guys have gotten really creative with some of the displays and I hope everyone compliments them on these cute displays! Joy Wilson has helped with the decorations, along with Cherrie Gladwell and these ladies' business establishments can really make your shopping list get shorter, because they have some wonderful gift items for anyone on your gift list! So, shop Joy's and Cherrie's in historic downtown Evergreen this Holiday Season!