Family = Home

 I so enjoyed our days in Lonoke getting to visit with people I love; people who have been a part of my life for so many years.

First day we were there we met a group of my Lonoke Class of 1971 friends at the Grumpy Rabbit.

How I love these dear friends who I have known literally all my life!

Danny Chivers, Me, Barbara and Jim Fitzhugh, Barbara Jones Chivers, Ross Moore, Karen Lewis Mashing, Pam Cordell Landis, Amos Pack, Mike Pack, Shelia Childress Johnson, Elaine McElyea Anderson, Carolyn O'Bannon, Kirt Fort, Ronnie and Sherry Wallace, George

I don't think I've ever had a personalized menu before.

Also met some new 'cousins' that have joined the family in the last few years.

Mary, wearing the red dress, who is the wife of my 1st cousin twice removed, Logan Dewitt and Logan's sister Ashlynn .  

Darling girls!

George and I drove 2 hours down to Monticello, Arkansas to visit my 1st cousin once removed, Amanda McGraw's family.  

1st cousin twice removed, Tabor's wife Hannah had become my Facebook friend and I really wanted to meet her and see their cute little baby Tatum John.

Well worth the drive through the delta!

My cousin Amanda, her husband John David, son Tabor, wife Hannah holding TJ, and daughter Kelsey.

I loved meeting these new cousins....however many times they are removed! If you are keeping count, Tabor John is my 1st cousin  3 times removed.

Poignant meeting with the husband of my cousin Joy, who passed away two years ago, as Charlie has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and isn't doing well at all.  I remember Charlie when I was just a little girl since he and Joy dated for many years.  The thought of loosing him is painful.

With his two daughters Amanda and Leigh Ann and Leigh's husband Mark.

On a happier note - my youngest 1st cousin Robin Moore Lewis has two new grand-babies that are just darling.  She retired from teaching after a long, illustrious career and is a full time care taking grandma.  Lucky her!  And lucky babies!

I am sorry I haven't gotten to meet her son and daughter in-law but maybe next time. And I'd love to see her daughter Scarlett....

Robin holding Graham and her son, Mitch holding his son,Caden.

George and I also had a great dinner with my Depriest cousins but I forgot to take a photo of the whole group.  Janie's son, Tommy, and daughter in law, Anne, have restored one of my favorite Lonoke houses.  My Grandma Boyle lived next door and I always thought it was just a beautiful house.  They have made it a show piece with beautiful woodwork and lovely arches! I totally love it!

Ronnie and Janie Depriest Raper, Tommy and Ann Swint

I am truly blessed with the best cousins!

 

Old Friends

 I've written so much in the past about how I feel about the Lonoke High School Class of 1971 that I don't know what else to say. 

  These lines from the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song will suffice for our 51 year class reunion.

You can't make old friends.

Can't make old friends

It was me and you, since way back when

But you can't make old friends.

EVERYONE

THE SPOUSES

Dwight Southerland, Jeanette Stroud, Deborah Brown, Jimmie Johnson, Jan Pack, Sheree Wallace, Sam Curry, Marci Pack, Bubba Gentry, Barbara Fitzhugh, Danny Chivers, Debbie Smith, Ray Rankin, Terry Masching

THE BOYS

Lloyd Shepherd, Jimmy DePriest, Steve Brown, Ross Moore, Roy Rice, John Sims, Kelly Castleberry, Kirk Fort, Richard Fletcher, Tom Smith, Amos Pack, Ronnie Wallace, Jim Fitzhugh, Jerry Watson, Terry Stroud, David Luneau, Ed Willman, Gary Elmore, Richard High, Mike Pack

THE GIRLS

Deltis Glover, Marilyn Montgomery Lewis, Vicki McCann Ingle, Shelia Childress Johnson, Barbara Barnes Monroe, Pam Cordell Landis, Linda Pool Gentry, Barbara Jones Chivers, Laura Beth Williams Rankin, Carolyn O'Bannon, Cindy West, Jeanne Cole Harlan, Karen Lewis Masching, Caryn Ellis Southerland, Laurie Clement Curry

When St Peter opens the gate

And you come walking in

I'll be there waiting for you 

Cause you can't make old friends. 

50 Years Ago

Exactly 50 years ago tonight, 92 classmates and I walked across a stage set up in the gym of Lonoke High School and became high school graduates.  My clearest memory of that day is that my friend Ed was absolutely sure that I would cry during graduation and I was sure that I wouldn't.  At the end as we all stood to file out of the gym, I leaned out so that Ed, who happened to be on the same row, could see my smile to assure him that I was NOT crying. It is ironic that today, 50 years later, thinking about that night almost brings me to tears.  Nostalgic tears!  The dictionary definition of nostalgic is "A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations."  That perfectly describes how I feel when I think of our graduation day.

I have seen a post going around on Facebook with the simple question, 'If you had the chance, would you relive your high school years?"  The overwhelming answer to that on-line question has been NO.  For me, the answer would be no, unless I could somehow go back to high school with the wisdom I've learned over the last 50 years. I would be less worried about being popular and more worried about being kind and inclusive.  I would study harder and practice piano and flute more.  Just thinking of being with my Moma and Daddy in our little house on Depot Street gives me a wave of joy. I'd treasure them more, listen to them more, spend more time with them making memories.  Of course, going back isn't possible so all I can do is go forward filling my current life with kindness, hard work, and love so that I am making memories that my family will treasure.

What of the class of 1971?  Thanks to Pam Cordell Landis and the other good people who live in Lonoke and plan our reunions, we have had one every 5 years.  The reunions have kept us friends.  In fact, in some ways without the drama of high school, we are even better friends now.  I look forward to these reunions so much. I just love the compassionate, welcoming, fun adults we have become.

50 years ago when we walked across that stage we were innocents with no idea of where our lives would take us. We've gone to college, had careers, retired, gotten married, some have divorced, some have had children and grandchildren. Some have traveled far and wide while others have stayed close to home. Financial success has been the lot of some, while others have struggled. We've buried parents and siblings and spouses and, at an alarming rate, are now burying classmates.  (9 in the last 5 years).  That fact alone makes each reunion precious.

The words of the song that Tommy Smith sang at our graduation are much more appropriate for our class than we would have ever imagined as 17 or 18 year old kids.  As a member of the Class of 1971, I'll never have to walk alone even though I live thousands of miles away. I know I can always turn to the friends that I have known, literally all of my life and they will be there for me.

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm

There's a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone

The Lonoke High School Alma Mater has a phrase, "When we leave you, we will grieve you.  You'll always be our greatest pride".  I'm proud to be a 1971 graduate of Lonoke High School.

Class of 1971 - Saying Goodbye

Growing up in a small town and attending school with the same people from 1st grade on, makes for a very close group of friends.  One of my classmates recently said that in some ways we were more like brothers and sisters. I agree.

This week, my classmates joined together to say goodbye to a lifelong friend, Gary Thompson, since childhood fondly known to us in Lonoke as 'Bulldog'! Sometimes it makes my heart hurt to be so far away from the little town that I still hold in my heart as 'home'.

There were 17 classmates in this photo at the cemetery and several missed the photo op because they were busy visiting!  We were a small class and quite a few have passed away so 20 is a big percentage.

Bulldog Thompson was one of 2 from our class to earn a PhD.  His was in entomology and he went on to a distinguished career with Dow where he was a 'visionary champion of a new kind of tool before organic was even a thing'  Bulldog or as I should more properly say, "Dr. Thompson" was 'incredibly well respected', 'a global leader', and received the University of Arkansas Distinguished alumni award.

I was impressed reading about all his accomplishments.  Quite impressive for a man from a small town in rural Arkansas!  Or for anyone for that matter!  And he wasn't even one of the top students in our class but he was always very good in science.

But the reason so many from our class were there to say good-bye was not because of any of these accomplishments.  The affection we hold for Bulldog can best be summarized by these words in his obituary, "He was a caring mentor, a loyal friend, dedicated family man, and and all-around good, fun guy."

When all is said and done, isn't that what we all hope will be said about us when our time comes?

Green and Beautiful

While traveling through Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria, we often remarked that it was green like Oregon.  I am sure the people there could use the same phrase we said in Oregon,  "If you plant it, it will grow." We truly live in a beautiful world!

Bulgaria is famous for its roses but they were beautiful in each country.

Every home had a pretty little vegetable garden

And flower boxes.

Irises

Geraniums - beautiful on their own but especially so with this backdrop. 

Wisteria - always makes me think of graduation ceremonies and school parties at Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona where there was a huge plant on one side of the main building. 

I've always loved ivy growing on old buildings. Reminds me of this song and takes me back to high school graduation.

Oh, we love the halls of ivy that surround us here today, And we will not forget though we be far, far away. To the hallowed halls of ivy, every voice will bid farewell. And shimmer off in twilight like the old vesper bell. One day a hush will fall; The footsteps of us all Will echo down the hall and disappear But as we sadly start our journeys far apart A part of every heart will linger here. In the sacred halls of ivy, Where we've lived and learned to know That through the years we'll see you in the sweet afterglow.

Home to Lonoke for a Wedding

The reason for my visit was to attend the wedding of my cousin Janie's granddaughter Hannah!  She was a beautiful bride! 

I loved spending time with my cousins.  Here I am with 3 of them....Ross, Janie, and Robin.  I am so thankful for them, especially since I have no brothers and sisters.  They are definitely an important part of my life and I love them to pieces!  I didn't get photos of my other cousins Joy and Jimmy & Robert and my other cousin Janie....but I love them all! 

Ross and his wife Brenda are so lucky to take care of their adorable little grandson Hudson 3 days each week.  On one of those days we enjoyed a lunch at the White Pig Inn - best barbecue anywhere! 

I noticed that they are hiring....maybe I should apply! "Will work for Barbecue". 

The only problem they have with Hudson is getting him into his car seat.  It takes both of them to buckle him in.  When he manages to escape from them, he gets this cheeky little grin.  Makes me smile too!  That look says, "I did it!  I'm free.  They can't control me", even though he always loses this battle in the end! 

On Sunday I went to the First Presbyterian Church.  That spot is 'so dear to my childhood' and I  enjoy being there - even when there are only 6 of us in attendance. 

Founded by my ancestors the Witherspoons and the Websters.

I also got to help my classmate Pam celebrate her 64th birthday! 

Being with some of my classmates from the Lonoke High School Class of 1971 is the best! 

 Hugh Amos Pack, Pam Cordell Landis, Shelia Childress Johnson, Ed Willman, Elaine McElyea Anderson 

Even though I haven't lived there in more than 40 years....Lonoke will always be HOME!

Gratitude #1 - Best All Around

Last year I enjoyed reading the Facebook gratitude posts all during November so I made an alert on my phone to do my own posts this year.  Well, my alarm alert sounded today so here I go with post #1.

One of the categories for our high school 'Who's who' election was for "Best All Around".  Pam Cordell was the classmate chosen for this honor.  The years have proven that Pam  definitely deserved that award.

Since 1971 it has been Pam who organizes our class reunions.  She spends countless hours and money tracking people down, sending out invitations and reminders, finding venues and organizing entertainment.  Her home is the go-to place for all the planning meetings for the actual reunions which have been held every 5 years without fail.  That is 9 big parties!  And she organizes not only the 'official reunions' but often puts together smaller get-togethers whenever any of us 'out-of-towners' are in Lonoke.  Her door is always open to any classmate.

 Sick and need meals?  Call Pam.
A ride to the hospital?  Call Pam
Live out of town? Pam will visit your parents.
When any of our parents pass away, Pam sends flowers from the class.
When a classmate passes away, Pam lets us know and again sends flowers.
Need help babysitting a grandchild?  Yes, call Pam.
Want someone to talk to?  Pam is there

I always say that every class needs a Pam Cordell.  Our class was blessed with one.  She truly is the 'Best-all-around' and I am grateful to have been her friend and classmate since we were little girls.  I love her!