ETCHED IN MY MINE FOREVER

REST WELL, MY LOVE

My Sweetheart, how I long to see you, how I long to see your precious face. Today, a normal day should have been routine. But it has been full of surprises, colorful memories of moments we knew. Your smiles filled my heart and your laughter filled the air all around me. And all of my thoughts have been of you. Our youth was a beginning of relying upon God to make our dreams come true. Even as we were far apart, we continued to whisper those prayers that when the time was right we would be together and inseparable forever.We are still not separated, we don’t see each other, but you remain the most awesome part of my life, I can’t answer for you but I trust that you are able to think of me. My heart has been full of happy thoughts - - -all of you. You brought many smiles to my face today. And many tears -------
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for loving me with such a special love.
Thank you for keeping our love unspoiled, beautiful and young forever.
I pray for a dream - - -of you.

Part of my beautiful family that graced my table on Thanksgiving 2010

Betty and Aubrey's family

Hugh and Natali's family

Judy and Louis' family

Thanksgiving, a popular holiday, when families come together

and acknowledge our blessings and gifts. I am my happiest

when my children are here, around my table sharing.

Today was no exception, we were grateful for family,

health and espectially thankful for those who serve to

protect our families, our holidays.

My children are not perfect, but pretty near. They have

made good choices and best of all they are friends to each

other. The Patton kids jump to the defense of a sibling

when needed. Again today was no exception as several

drove to Nashville to see Aubrey who is recovering from

surgery at St. Thomas. We could not help but remember

that Betty was always the first to jump when one was sick

or needed special attention.

Today I am thankful for my husband, a New Year's Eve

date in 1943 that turned into a sixty three year love affair.

I am thankful for my parents and for his parents who taught

us lessons from the old school.

My sweetheart made me laugh every day in some way or

another and was always so faithful and true. A perfect

example of his parents upbringing.

Is there any way to list all the blessings we have recieved?

Today I say thanks for unknown blessings already on the way.

CHRISTMAS AT THE BILTMORE

CHRISTMAS AT THE BILTMORE

Was great to spend time with my sister, her daughter and
son-in-law last week in Asheville. Our time was so valuable,
lots of talking, sleeping, and somehow our protector, Mike was able to find the most unique places to dine. Dining was a very important part of our time together.

The Christmas candlelight tour of the Biltmore, of course was the highlight of our trip. Makes me want to start decorating trees again. Fifty-three in the mansion, one hundred fifty outside! It was such a blessing to spend this time with Dot and her children. They even pushed us in wheelchairs through the mansion. How is that for the getting and giving the Christmas spirit?

You spread the love the season too, it's a wonderful thing.

God, Make Me Worthy

Thus - -

By happy twists of life, folks pair off as man and wife.

and children come and bless their home:

Betty - gone but never forgotten -

Merry brought us Terrence and is a charming

friend as well as a daughter -

Judy, brought us Louis, and is my keeper, and with

heartfelt emotion keeps helping to make

my days sweeter -

Hugh, who brought Natalie, my advisor, protector

and as always the light of my life,

His fathers son, thank goodness.

What? no black?


With beautiful bride



Where did you find him?
Lets keep him.

When my fall comes I wonder will I feel as
I do now? How could it change?
My life had always been glutted with happy
memories, content to let them lie like nuts
stored up against the coming cold?
Squirrels always gather, so I'm told more
more than they will ever need:
and so have I.

LEONARD'S BROTHER DIES AT 94

Leonards father, brother Talmedge, Robert with his little

son and Leonard. Made on the farm in front of Dad's garden

Leonard and Robert made at the Patton Farm several

years ago. They had a great relationship and we enjoyed

times together camping in motorhomes through the years.

Always spent a week in Cumberland Mt. State Park and

a wonderful 2 and 1/2 month trip through Canada and

Alaska in 1995.

Two very handsome men from a group picture

at their sister, Phyllis, wedding.

Somewhere in mid 50's

I often quote Psalms 27 to encourage prople who are going

through difficult times. The Psalmist was living in very

unpleasant circumstances, yet he expected to "see

the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"

This past week my sister-in-law and I have been in

Knoxville wittnessing our loved ones bedridden with

no prospect of getting better. We can find comfort in

those words.
Death has been swallowed up in Victory !

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

It has been a joy this summer to share Judy's flower garden.

I find my house looking so much more alive as

she shares her garden with me. No tomatoes, squash, okra,

or beans but it has provided her with vase after

vase of flowers the whole summer long.

To be loved is one of the strongest of all desires.

One of the ways God passes along His love

is through others, generally those closest to us.

I have been filled with that kind of love through my

children. I hope they have patience with me during these

days. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,

it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not

rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight

in evil but rejoices with truth. It always

protects, always trusts, always perseveres.

Thank you as you persevere,

my children.

A beautiful wedding and a beautiful marriage

Friday August 20th will be the third
wedding of my grandson, and his bride. We send all good wishes for a wonderful day and many
more years to come. I love you very much.

Another Year Sweeter

Today marks the 60th wedding anniversary
for my wonderful brother and his sweetheart
of 60 plus years.

Though the memories and photos of your
wedding may fade with time, your love for
one another continues to shine brightly with
each new day. A marriage with God at its center
last a lifetime. Congratulations on your exemplary
life together. Isn't she beautiful? ICorr 13:13

Day Filled with Sweet Joy and laughter

To a wonderful daughter on your birthday - - -
I am sending you lots of wishes and am so happy that
your day was filled with delightful moments,
and... your year will overflow with God's blessings.

"I thank God every time I remember
you. In all my prayers for.......
you, I always pray with joy"
Phil 1: 3-4

Oakley's gather to celebrate....

Geraldine's eldest son, Wendell, has a birthday and all the family gather with wishes a plenty. Sixty-two years added to his life's history:

devoted siblings

A lovely wife

sisters and brother in-law

and bunches of nieces and nephews!

With all this goodness we would be remiss not to give special recognition to mothers, Carol and Geraldine and the sweet spirit of Johnny, filling the house through those he left behind.

My children and I enjoyed being part of this celebration of love.

Happy Birthday Wendell!

Sister, Polly and I had a great day out, visiting our brother in Nashville,
taking a car load of boxes that she had taken after the 2010 Great Flood,
home to wash and clean and repack for him until he had once again gotten
settled in his new space. I feel absolutely fantastic tonight after visiting
his new home and realized what he and his sons had been able to savage
and clean up for the new home. Certainly the book worm that he is, he can
never replace his papers and books that he loved so much, but it is simply
amazing what was saved from his lovely "toys", statues, birds, flowers,
figurines, plates and untouchables. It looked like home to me. Both my
brother and his son, Steve, have been awesome through this whole thing
with the flood. When they were rescued by boat in chest high water, one of
the "rescuers" was out of the boat and said, "hop in". His reply, "I couldn't
have hopped in 70 years ago" So he, the rescuer, on the ground made a
stirrup out of his hands and pushed him in. My grandson, Josh, was able
rescue and restore more than 100,000 names of his genealogy and get it
from the water logged computer and into his very own new computer
with all the trimmings. Thanks to everyone who helped make this an
awesome adjustment, all who rescued "things", cleaned "things" and
return "things" at the appropriate time. To the Kopp's, who loaded and
hauled several days, provided a large garage to store, and to the teen
age son for giving up his basement living quarters for several weeks
for them to enjoy. Thanks to the Booth's who hauled furniture, cleaned
and cleaned some more, to help return some of his favorite pieces to
once again look like the wood that it was. I had to see for myself and
I liked what I saw.

My Own Room - - -My Own Elevator !

Today one of my three favorite sons-in-law, Louis had yet another B-Day
He did it his way, doing his favorite thing, mowing !
While building their house he realized there was no sleeping room
for mother-in-law and changed some room, previously meant
for a media or something like that and put me a bedroom
downstairs, also promising an elevator if it became
necessary for me to reside there permanently.
You saw it here first, my own elevator !
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARLING LOUIS
I love you much.
Nana

Yet another Anniversary

Another year of sweet bliss for daughter and
her sweetheart. I thank God for you both.

Only girl for 42 years

There she is a few years ago!
Second flag girl on the right!

So much excitement over the week-end about the
birth of the second Willard girl, after eight boys that I forgot
about the birthday of the first girl, granddaughter Leigh.
Happy days, Leigh enjoy your days off and enjoy
the lake. You are loved.

A STAR IS BORN

Welcome to our world, Adalyn !
You will have the best and most protective father
any little girl could have.
And hopefully you will be as beautiful
as your lovely mother.
We have looked forward to this day with
many loving thoughts for almost
nine months.
We love you already.
We are Patton