This Side of Heaven

The mountains have claimed yet another member of our family. First Merry and Terrence bought “Northcroft”, then Judy and Louis, “The Falls”, and now Hugh and Natali have been bitten by the bug. Something about those mountains that draw on the memory of their youth and make them buy a second home.

High in the Smoky Mountains, Hugh and Natali have purchased a welcoming retreat that they have named, “Heavenside”. They have shored up its walls, weeded the yard, put up a new sign and placed, in the corner, a bed for Murphy. They are ready to enjoy!






Can't wait to come visit! gp

THEY TENDED US WELL

Pause with me as I play again in the dusty

lanes of childhood at grandpa's house.

Remember these bigger than life companions

who helped us bridge home and away, child-

hood and maturity. In their footsteps, we

made the journey. Thank you for such a

heritage and a day on which to express

our gratitude. We salute you this day.
Richard, William, Herman and Leonard
Below and bottom left the precious

father of my children.

My father, I also salute

for the Christian heritage

he gave me. Seen with

part of his wonderful

family.

.Happy Fathers Day to my

son and sons-in-law.

Please click on small pix

to enlarge.

THE 13th ~ The Queen's Eighty-Second

The Queen has a birthday, I'm so glad

we will see how many she has had

as we count the pennies we are told

she's

1~2~3~4~5~6~7~8~9~10~11~12~13~14~15~

16~17~18~19~20~21~22~23~24~25~26~

27~28~29~30~31~32~33~34~35~36~37~38~

39~40~41~42~43~44~45~46~47~48~49~50~

51~52~53~54~55~56~57~58~59~60~61~62~

63~64~65~66~67~68~69~70~71~72~73~74~

75~76~77~78~79~80~81~82~

My goodness I am out of pennies, and I

am so proud of every year.

No one could have a better life.

I look forward to tomorrow, the trip

to Atlanta, Kate's dinner,

Terr's soft shoe dance and song,

and seeing my grandchildren I have not

seen since Thanksgiving.

Abundant Life with the class of "HOPE"

Grace for our feast

We gather around this feasting table,
Humbled by our bounty,
Lord of abundant life:

We have so much more than we need.
We confess that we are poised,
Fork in hand, ready to overdo.

Help us to learn better how to live as
Grateful, if overstuffed, children --
Delighted, surprised and generous

With the sharing of our good fortune.
Bless us now as we enjoy it amidst
Food - Friends - Family

We give you the heartiest
Thanks for your diligent
Steadfast care.

Love from Patton Place
Gwen

The 28th of May brought my Sunday School class to Church Street for lunch and our monthly meeting. How good and pleasant it is when this circle of ladies gather to greet each other with beautiful morning faces. Sometimes we arise grumpy, sometimes smiling, sometimes behind in our duties, but our goal is to always be prepared to please our Heavenly Father. Such were these ladies on Thursday and joyfully, in their midst, I experienced a little of Heaven on earth. Did we discuss everything? If not, we will pick up where we left off on the 4th Thursday of June. Thanks to all who were able to attend.

Thanks to daughters Merry and Judy, and also to sister-in-law Geraldine, for helping so I could better enjoy my guests.

As always I was inspired by the blessings of a lifetime.

It was a hopping good time.

gp

(P.S. Tiny ceramic frogs were my choice of favors!)

Birthday memory

Today is my Leonard's birthday...

Indulge me and join me in my happy memories.

My Mother's Garden

~Betty Lynn Patton Willard ~

(5/2/46 -10/30/02)

My Mother kept a garden,
A garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
That gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine
And encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem…
Her constant good example
Always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
That will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
Reflected back from me.

Everyone has a garden, a garden of their own. Each garden reflects the true heart of that person, a glimpse into their very soul. This year instead of recollecting memories, I am choosing instead to bring my Mother’s garden out for all to see… a garden that was watered with among other things, beanie babies, sports, antiques, NASCAR, and nature. Our Mother’s Garden….. Her children:

November 13, 1963 Ken came in loud and proud. Even today he makes sure that everyone knows he was first and was the apple of his mother’s eye. He was watered with baseball, basketball, the love of ‘fixing things’ and of nature. Ken, with his wonderful wife Anna have started their own garden. Casey Patton Willard. If Ken was the apple of his mother’s eye, it is safe to say that Casey was the cherry that was on the topping.

June 18, 1969 Leigh, yes that’s me.. Arrived, I feel bold and ready. I can say I was watered with the love of children and family, and a readiness that keeps me prepared for anything that could come my way. I was able to bless my Mother with 3 boys, Thomas Green, Jacob Faulkner, and Mickenna Lee. Each were special to their Nanny in their own way, each bringing pride in her voice every time she spoke of them. Today, I am able to bring to my Mother a new section for her garden; a wonderful husband Mike and the addition of two more grandchildren, Autumn Michelle and Michael Todd. Both of whom she would love and appreciate as if they were her own.


April 25, 1977, Jason…Mr. Adventure. I can never remember a time that Jason didn’t have a plan for one thing or another. He was watered with the love of sports and the sense of love. Jason blessed our Mother, with his son, Jaylen Xavier. Jaylen was our Mother’s last grandchild to hold, the last grandchild to steal a piece of her heart. She held him near and dear to her heart. Our Mother would be so very proud to see what a wonderful Father Jason has become.

September 29, 1978, Matthew Owen Patton… Who would ever believe that Matthew would today be the big ex-Air Force body-builder that he is. Matthew was the cutest baby with the biggest personality anyone could ever find. Matthew was watered with self-esteem, and the gift of humor. Matthew blessed our Mother with memories and pride like no other.

August 31, 1986, Joseph….Joseph came in a quiet way, the child that very sweetly walked beside you holding your hand. He would smile at you and your heart would melt. Joseph brought our Mother youth, one of the most impressive gifts of all.

Last but not least, at the center of her garden was our father, Aubrey. My Father brought our Mother strength, security, love beyond reason, and friendship. His love for her has to this day been strong and has never wavered. My Mother called him “The Wind Beneath Her Wings”. It has taken me many years to truly understand her meaning of this. Today, I am proud to say that the two of them are my parents.

My Garden Keepers

My Mother, Betty Lynn,
And my Father, Aubrey Kenneth.

Happy Birthday to My Mother, from the many petals of her garden.

Love, Ken, Anna, Leigh, Jason, Matthew, and Joseph
And her grandchildren, Thomas, Casey, Jacob, Mickenna, and Jaylen~

Written by Leigh, with love.

Betty, my Betty

Betty with her devoted husband of 38 years.

Sadly Betty will get no older but she will always be part of the stair steps that formed Betty, Merry, Judy and Hugh, and before she died in 2002, she and Aubrey put together the family that became her focus and passion.

Betty's son, Ken and his wife, Anna.

Ken has been with Bridgestone many, many years and

Anna has been with National Health most all her

adult life. Both are valuable to their employers.

Ken and Anna's son Casey.

Betty's daughter, Leigh and her husband, Mike.
Leigh is manager at Maggie Moo's and Mike is employed

with USA Today

Leigh and Mike's beautifully combined family:
Mickenna, Todd, Autumn, Thomas, Leigh, Jacob and Mike (center)

Betty and Aubrey's sons by Divine love.

Betty's heart and home had an over abundance of love for three boys that came to her as babies and learned to call her Mama. Boy, was she proud!

<- Pictured here with Betty and the boy's grandparents are: Joseph, Matthew and Jason.

This is Jason's son Jaylyn, another grandchild she wanted so badly to spoil!

The heart story behind the drummer boy...

When planning a service for Betty, Hugh said he felt like he needed to eulogize Betty. I said fine and she would like nothing better than for him to sing. He did both, singing "Look for me for I will be there too." During his eulogy he said that a Deputy posted at the Courthouse said he did not know who would stand up and take her place. Hugh told him that he would have to do that because he had been taught by the best. The Deputy said that she certainly marched to the tune of a different drummer. Hugh said he thought a lot about that overnight and he decided that "Betty was the drummer." I started the next week looking for little drummers for my children for Christmas.

Note: Aubrey has done a good job keeping the family together since Betty's death and we are grateful to him. He is now recovering from a recent open heart surgery operation and once again God has blessed us with his strength and perseverance.

GOOD NIGHT LITTLE DRUMMER

Judy, my third daughter and child...

Judy found her Prince Charming in 2000. He swept her off her feet and they have been riding the white horse ever since.

Judy came with three beautiful children, Rob, Abby and Chad

Chad, the oldest, is a Special Agent with a service, but it a secret. Among many other things, he guarded and protected our presidential candidates and now travels with our president,

when needed with his security team.

Chad married Lisa who is a personal trainer and the mother of Kyle and Gaege.

The grands are Judy's pride and joy.

Rob, came next and has been on the move ever since. This talented young man loves travel and spends much of his time with his camera exploring the world!

How can we put Abby into a few words. The protected sister of her brothers, beautiful, a runner, a business tycoon (she owns her own house cleaning business) a teacher since the age of three and after graduation in May, a real life teacher! Abby is also the best friend to the family dog, Allie .

Judy is a highly regarded dental hygienist and Louis, a retired employee of Procter and Gamble (he designed the Crisco Oil bottle) and now is better known as the perfectionist, "General Nuisance", to the workman that built the couples dream house in Williamson County. Upon total completion of this beautiful antebellum home; they plan to live there happily ever after... I hope to visit often.