Grandson, Rob

Leonard's beautiful sister. Gerry

Cooks and Cleaners Thanks!

The greatest gift, a Kindle, I read 78 pages last night!
I loved it, my wonderful children.
You're like a ray of sunshine that gives life a warm touch --
And that's the special reason why you are loved so very much - -
My birthday was filled with delight and pleasant surprises
from morning to night - - -
What a Royal celebration !

A Sneaky Post to make a Birthday Wish!

The wish from your children is that we will celebrate many,

many more of your birthdays with you,

because with each year you are even more precious to us.

Happy Birthday, Dear Mother

With much love,

(^Betty^) Merry, Judy and Hugh

The House in Patton Hollow

the House in Patton Hollow * from Croft on Vimeo.

(click flower shape lower right to watch full screen.)

SOME DAYS YOU JUST NEED YOUR MOTHER

I had a need for someone to love me
To teach me of life, and Heaven above me.
Someone to comfort, encourage, protect me
To laugh with and tease me and gently direct me.

Now that she's gone and I'm turning gray too
All the more evident is my need for you
You were always there to share in my joy
Whether with my girls, or my little boy
And you were there too when my eyes filled with tears
Showing your great wisdom and calming my fears.

I thank you today for your tender touch
For your prayers and your love that meant so much
For in this big world there will never be another
Who magnifies Jesus to me more than my Dear Mother

I AM EXPECTING !!
My eleventh great-grandchild.
Along with that eleven I have been given an
awesome opportunity to call five more my
Greats, too.
Adalyn will be the third little girl and we are all
waiting patiently for her arrival.
This afternoon a few of Tonya's friends gave her
a shower to which I was invited,
along with about eighteen other ladies.
How wonderful it is to have such excitement at this
time of my life.
Matthew and Tonya are going to make such
perfect parents to Adalyn.
The nursery waits patiently for someone
to lay this little bundle in that new beautiful bed.
Her closet is filled with little clothes, and
the mother and dad couldn't be happier.
May God continue to bless the three of you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, My Beloved

1945 dash 2005

These were our years, every one wonderful.
Even the declining years.

PAPA
I remember when you walked
In autumn
Across the mountains,
Alongside the streams that seep
Out of the rocks where one hill cleaves
To another,
Your silver hair tangled in the clouds you
Were bigger than mountains.

Even then, muffled by our shuffles through
The painted autumn ruffles on the ground
The sound of your blood was
A hammer
Welding wings
On the anvil of your soul
I do not mean that you were old
Or you were dying then
But that your spirit knew of
Flying then long before your feet ever
Left the ground.

I hope I paid enough respect
To your trains in the basement.
I think I was properly awed by the careful details of
Your creation
But perhaps I should have
Paid more attention
To the ways you made
Electricity
Because your spark is still keeping the lamps lit
In our hearts.

Once you drove me to the farm in your truck
And even though it was just the two of us
You let me sit in those funny little -girl sized seats in the back
But eventually I had to crawl forward to investigate
The emergency candy in the glove compartment.
I ate it
With grave seriousness
Then we sang along to radio songs
{Though neither of us knew the words so we both made up
baselines: bum-bum, bum-bum,bum-bum..}

I'll miss you throned under the gilded tree
With your Queen
Surrounded by mountains
Of gifts like
Father Christmas
But like Father Christmas
Omniscient you are ever-present and benevolent
And I believe in you.

Thank you for your presents,

by

Kate Croft

(granddaughter)

Betty, forever young...

5/2/46 - 10/30/02

Betty Boops Birthday

1946 dash 2002
Happy Birthday my Beautiful Daughter
Thinking of you today as I do every day.
Mother

FBC SENIORS

I chaperoned these Seniors on a fun trip to Jackson, TN
to see Jeannie Robertson. Also on the program was
Carl Hurley. It was a very rewarding trip.
These Seniors always make me feel good. We took
a little sack lunch and ate while driving down
and stopped in Dickson for a nice meal
on the way home.
My friend, Nancy, went along and I had a nice
arm to hang on to.
Pam Pilot, our Director for Seniors, was our
Pilot. Pam did an excellent job and our
thanks to her and our church for the trip.
It is so much fun to be a senior.

Senior Deputies

The four beautiful ladies above are part of what made my 28
years at the courthouse so pleasing. These old girls continue
to include me in lots of their outings, especially at Christmas time.
Today Maxine picked us up one by one and took us to
Manchester to a great Tea Room for lunch. You can imagine
our car rocked all the way there and back again.
During those years, work was where we, as young women,
spent most of our time. Some of us almost 20 to 30
years, thank goodness most of the time was
joyous, and what a blessing to be one of a creative, caring
unit. Thanks to these four, who lifted morale and
provided momentum to do more and do it better!
May the memories of this place, these bonds, nourish me
tomorrow. It is OK to be sad it is over!
Thank you, Lord for bringing back the joy today.
Yes ! we need to feel it again now and then!

Wind beneath my wings.

I know that my children were hand selected by
God, and I praise him every day for each of them.
What a wonderful day I had with them and
their families yesterday.
Leonard and I always thought they were
the wind beneath our wings,
he would be delighted that they are still
just that for me. I wish I could picture
each one here, but I can't, but I am
picturing my Head Chef.
Ken and his family went to the first
of five services at their church,
at seven thirty o'clock,
They were here early and what
a help they were. Ken took care
of all lifting and cooking over the
stove. Anna took care of deviled eggs.
Casey took care of the egg hunt.
All 28 never stopped until the
last plate was washed and put away
in the proper place.
Every table and chair was back in the
basement.
For this I am grateful.
Did not stop with my children but
their children also.
LETS DO IT AGAIN !

Farewell to Uncle Jim

Gwen, Ken, Aunt Lillie, Uncle Jim and Polly

Last week on Tuesday night my siblings and I lost our
last Uncle on both my mothers or dad's side of
the family.
His lovely sister had passed away late last year. They
were my fathers sister and brother.
The above picture was when Aunt Lillie celebrated
her 90th birthday.
She was in Nursing home in Merietta. and Merry
who lives in Atlanta went out and got her and
brought her to her home in Atlanta.
My brother, Ken, sister, Polly and Uncle Jim drove
down for her birthday.
I believe we did this three times last year and
I treasure those days with Uncle Jim.
He was not sick, just had pain in chest after
he lay down for the night.
We ask that God will wrap his arms around
his wife and son and daughter during the
difficult days ahead.
He was a devoted family man.
We were told that he took Aunt Mary Ann
flowers every week.
He will be missed.

YUP, GONNA BE A BEAR

The apples don't fall far from the tree!
Thank God.

Children's children are a crown to the aged
And parents are the pride of their children.
The glory of young men is their strength,
Gray hair the splendor of the old.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
It is attained by a righteous life.

Izbooshka's, Everyone has one!

My Izbooshka, you are so right, it's Dad's Izbooshka.
Everyone has one!

Natalie's Izbooshka

Merry's Izbooshka







Judy's Izbooshka

A Son Remembers his Mother

The Mother in this story is my precious daughter,

written by her son, my precious grandson, in her memory.

She took him home from the hospital at four days

old, and he has been a joy in our lives since.

Matthew Willard
Engl. 1010K
Professor Ford
February 4, 2010

“When I Get Where I’m Going”

Songs in ones life have an impact that influences them in one-way or another. The way these songs make an impact vary in numerous ways such as, a child hood memory, a time and place or special person in their life. Many songs have a great capability to bring all these emotions back to someone and may cause happiness, tears, or maybe just the recollection of another place and time.

The duet by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton, “When I Get Where I’m Going” was a song that I had heard many times on the radio. This song always found a way to hit my heart and stir emotions that I never felt before. It wasn’t until the passing of my mother that this song found an apparent stronghold on my soul and brought into my life, a new way that I perceive the passing of a loved one. When we lose someone who means the world to us, we frequently find ways we can remember them in our daily lives by our surroundings such as pictures, trinkets, and in this case, a song.

Many country songs nowadays often talk about similar situations that lead to the same point. In this case, a picture is depicted in our minds of what the end will look like once we are reunited with the ones we’ve lost and so dearly miss. Whenever I here this song now, I automatically think of my mother and how she left this world long before it was her time. Once the melody hits my ears, I know what thoughts will soon develop and replay over in my head.

Thinking back to the last time I saw my mother in the airport terminal as we said our goodbyes before I left to serve in the military overseas is the first memory to play out. With eyes overflowing with tears of a mournful goodbye, I did my best to drown out the loud and discerning babble of the overly crowded terminal. With my time to leave finally upon me, I found myself looking to where I once stood so close to my mother and father as I made my way to my departure gate through the midst of scurrying soon to be passengers. Once my parents were out of my line of sight, the last memory I have of my mother weeping because of her son leaving, always hits me the hardest. I was leaving for a three-year tour in England, but would seem like an eternity, which a few months later became reality. At the time of my absence I came to know what my mother had already known, that it was time for me to get where I was going in life, and her tears were those of a proud mother who’s tear soaked face would be my last visual encounter of her.

October 31st, 2002, was an event that has not yet to this day, become easier to cope with. “When I Get Where I’m Going” had not yet been released by this date. In 2005, Brad released his album, “Time Well Wasted”, which included this memorable song, that from time to time, finds its way into my ears and reminds me that just because I have been parted from my beloved mother, we shall be reunited in a place that God has set for us. Then those dreadful memories will be nothing but.

In the opening lyrics, the song’s title words are the first to be sung. The words portrayed in the chorus are so eloquently put together and heart felt, that they would touch anyone who hears it.

The chorus is as follows;

“Yeah, when I get where I’m going, I’ll cry only happy tears,
I will share the sins and struggles I have carried all these years,
and I’ll keep my heart wide open, I will love and have no fear,
yeah when I get where I’m going, don’t cry for me down here.”

These words that I have heard time and time again shows me that we need not cry tears of sadness when a loved one has left us. Instead, live life headstrong, full of love and when the time comes for us to leave this world, the reunion with our nearest and dearest will be like nothing we have ever contemplated. Brad sings of the pain and darkness that this world beholds for us as our lives travel through it. This world, without our loved ones, can contain a greater deal of darkness and sometimes feel impossible to navigate.

It may feel difficult, and every now and again, hopeless to try to deal with the loss of a loved one. We need not let this tragedy hold us back from what they would have us do. The lyrics “don’t cry for me down here.” let us know that their passing is to come it is that of a better place. This song contains different analogies that can help one who hears it be aware that their loved ones passing is not the end. Many times throughout the year, there are a multitude of occasions when my mothers passing is more difficult to deal with than other days. Mothers Day, her birthday, and even Christmas are holidays, which just don’t have the same meaning without her presence. Of course these days were not meant only for me, but without her here, they will never be the same, and some are not celebrated the same without her.

This song is not heard but maybe a couple of times a month, and when it does play on the radio, I think back to the wonderful woman who I knew loved me so much to give me a life I would have never known had she and my father not adopted me. The fact that my mother was able to give me the life I wouldn’t have had otherwise, is such a major reason, but not the only, I miss her so deeply. I now relate this song to her memory in a way that I know would suit it best. She would not have me morn, but rather keep that beloved memory alive with the life she lived and all the lives she touched.

This song by Brad Paisley, since it’s release, has made an impact on my life that will remain with me forever. The detail of the lyrics is just enough to paint a picture in my mind of the better place where I know my mother now resides. Those of us that believe in that better place realize that even though we have lost, we shall regain, and the tears of sadness once shed, will be wiped away forever! I can’t say that this song is my all time favorite song, but the meaning it has to me is one of someone who was and still is one of my favorite people, which cannot be replaced by anything that this world has to offer. No song can ever replace the feelings that my mother has given me, but “When I Get Where I’m Going”, always helps to remind me that the day will come when we shall be reunited forever.

I believe that everyone, regardless of what genre of music they enjoy, should hear this song at least once. They then may realize that many songs in country music can be attributed to real life and how it can be related to some part of their lives whether it is a loss, a gain, or just a memory that maybe had been completely forgotten about.

To all who come to face the loss of someone special, the remembrance of their life and the better place they are, is what should be embraced everyday.

AN EXTRAORDINARY VISIT

A lovely grandaughter that I seldom see, except for holidays,

came to visit today. We enjoyed our chat and an hour

or so just visiting. because of weather conditions

she made a stop at the grocery for me, and brought goodies.

She is seen above as a lovely

baby held by her big brother, with Pop standing

by to catch if necessary, you see that beautiful hand!

Second picture was on her wedding day. Such a beautiful

day, with the blending of two families.

The third picture is at my 80th birthday party,

given by daughter Merry for our double birthdays.

Her 60th, my 80th.

At her table she is seen with her sister in law Anna,

her cousin Becca, and my next door neighbor

in Cookeville many years ago, 50 to be exact.

My wonderful neighbor Katheine and her lovely

daughter came to my party after all these years.

Our 52 year friendship continues as we grow

older by e-mail. We still talk everyday,

just not in the back yard at her picnic table.

A SONG FOR BIRDIE BOOP

Boop was a gift to Leonard, shortly after he got sick and was confined to his chair much of the day. Merry thought the bird would keep Dad company and perhaps he could teach him to talk.

This was just after Betty went to Heaven and I wanted to name him a name that would remind us of her. Her pet name at her office was Betty Boop. One day as I was cleaning his cage when he flew out scaring me badly. I said, "You little old Birdie Boop". That was his name from then on. Can you imagine some business on the Internet asking, "What is your pets name?"---------Boop.

Well, Boop did entertain; he would fly to Leonard's tray when I took him his meals. Leonard allowed him to sit there and he would pushed things he could have to eat to the edge, but he was not allowed to put his feet on his plate! Boop sang cheerfully as they spent long days together on the sunny back porch. He was a good companion and it was sad when he was found dead in his cage early this year.

I prepared a little box and made him a nice casket but was not able to dig a grave for him. I put the box in the freezer and it stayed there until this week when Merry was here, and she provided a decent funeral and burial...as only Merry would. ;)

Story of Dot, Gwen, Ed and Ken

HOME

Barking dogs- A yellow cat, Basketball - A baseball bat,

Piano playing -Mother singing, Daddy praying -Telephone ringing

Children coming - Children going, Mother cooking - Mother sewing

Brothers fighting - Sisters scratching, Blue jean knees - Need a patching

Books and music - Jack-in-the box, Tonsils - Measles, a hole in my socks

Paper dolls - Dot and Gwen, Cars and Trucks - Ed and Ken

Baby sister- In her bed, Looks like Elroy -Someone said

Company coming - All the time, Preachers, kinfolk - Come to dine

Kids bring friends -Home from school, Bring them all - Daddy's rule

Potatoe Salad - Chicken to fry, Egg Custard - Chocolate pie

Happy days - Come to me, From my bank - Of Memory

DFH