Beverly is my younger sister, we decided to take a road trip to North Carolina, the summer of 2011, she really enjoyed the trip, we got to see all the family members  that live there, she enjoyed visits with her sister Eva, lots of nieces and nephews and her grandson Scott and his family.
          On the way home, as I was driving, I noticed a lot of dogs in a field, I said, wow, wonder why there are so many dogs in that field, my sister cracked up, she said, you need your glasses changed, that is goats in that field, we laughed for the next several miles.
              Bev could not wait to get home to tell everyone what I did, she thought it was so funny, and it was.
                I miss my sister very much, especially when I want to go to WV, I liked to stop and pick her up on the way down, and we could go visit, or go to festivals or garage sales, just spend time with family. Things will never be the same.  Enjoy heaven, I know you are happy to see mom and dad and little Bernie, and you are having fun with them.  love you ....sister Bet

Christmas is coming. It always makes me think of the year mom was depressed at Christmas time. I forget exactly why she felt down, I'm sure she had her reasons... but I remember that she was refusing to put up a tree. 

I figured a tree was probably exactly what she needed, so one day before Christmas, while we were out shopping, I bugged her to death till she finally stopped along side the road & reluctantly picked a tree.

Well... at least I'm feeling pretty good now, but about froze through, so her & I got back inside the car while the Christmas tree guy tied the tree to the top of our car. 

That done & our way, we still had one more stop. Mom wanted to stop at Shop & Save.. of course. So we pulled in to a spot up front. Mom shut the car off and we both started to open our doors & get out, when we suddenly realized... we couldn't open our doors TO get out! ...

The Christmas tree guy had tied the tree, with thick rope... across the roof, AROUND the side view mirrors, then down underneath of the car! The doors would only open a 1/2 inch, stopped by the roped pulled tightly across the entire door. 

When we realized we were tied in the car we laughed so hard we nearly peed our pants! In the middle of our uncontrollable laughter, I kept TRYING to say to mom... "I can't believe he tied us in the car," but I was laughing so hard it took me all of 5 minutes and many, many tries to finally get the sentence out... which started another round of laughter anyway! 

When we calmed down & stop laughing a little, we brushed away the tears now dripping down our chicks from fits of laughter... and realized that if we climb over the seat into the back, that we could get out the back doors. Which we did.

So mom had a Christmas tree that year whether she liked it or not... lol. I think she did. :) 

December 23, 2011~

A little after noon today my mom slipped quietly away.
Her song left somehow unfinished,
her story somehow untold... A true & quiet hero.

The world won't care much or notice even,
the struggles or greatness inside her single little life,
in a single little time in a single little place.
Nor will it appreciate the loss in the extraordinary being of my mother.
But to me, to those of us who knew her, who loved her,
who were touched by her, the loss is great, that word being truly inadequate.

Mom's zest for life is unrivaled, as I'm sure it will remain, by any of us.
Mom put the color in the book and all over the book!
And sometimes colored outside of the lines...
Without which, what is there? But black & white.

Mom's life, sang songs in living color!
That color runs strong and runs long.
It flows outward through space & time like an
unending river...
through her kids, her grandkids it ebbs & flows;
and will do so for ever more.

I love you Mom and I give credit where credit is due,
to you. Enjoy Jesus.. and hey mom? Can ya' put a word in for me?
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Your daughter,
Barbara Ann :)