"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

It is very hard for me to realize that my precious mother has been gone a year now, more than that to not have gotten to talk to her for this long of a time. I guess not a day would go by that we didn't talk to each other, most days we may have called each other several times a day and I miss that a lot. I did go to the mausoleum with my husband and one of her sisters. We were able to put new flowers in the vases for both my mom and dad. I wanted it to be pretty again for them, or maybe it was for me. We had a nice day and enjoyed my visit with my auntie very much and we got to do a little shopping too.

I would like to share something with a bit more 'happy' here, today I have been putting away some of the photo albums that belong to my mother, I am so thankful that she was one to save wonderful memories, it gives me a glimpse back in time to some special family gatherings and our family. I did pretty good until I ran across her memory book that her sisters made for her 80th birthday. They did such a wonderful job putting that together, many happy wishes from all the families and there was one that among the tears I got to have a little time of laughter. It was from my cousin Sharon. She would come and stay with us in the summer sometime and this one time was something she shared as a memory in the book:
"One summer when it was time for me to leave you and Weldon put me on the bus in downtown Dallas to head home. Not far into the trip I noticed the sign at the head of the bus said CHICAGO, I was horrified and certain you put me on the wrong bus, and spent the entire ride in fear of never seeing my family again. Relief came when the bus pulled off at Van Alstyne and there was Mother waiting for me...Sharon"
We are all glad Sharon made it back home safe, and I don't remember if that was her last trip to see us or not. We don't always get to see each other as often as we like but we have love for our family.

Posted by: Anne

December the 7th is Pearl Harbor Day it was the year 1941, 73 years ago and a sad day for America. The war was an inevitable event about to surface and all the families cherished every moment of love with a passion of heart and soul.

To give you a glimpse of the times Germany had invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 and much of Europe had been occupied, Hitler's plans to take England were close at hand. President Roosevelt had started a program called 'Works Progress Administration' known as the WPA. This program created jobs for the devastation of the Depression of the 1930's, times were heartbreaking for all.

Mother and dad's story started along this time of history, dad lived in Greenville, Texas and worked for a man delivering dry goods to small grocery and drug stores, one of his stops was my grandfather's store, C. P. Neathery, in Cannon, Texas. Dad was known as 'Slim' in those days and mom was soon to meet this tall handsome man. Their first date was on August 21, 1941, they dated approximately 3 1/2 months. They knew they were meant to be together and planned to be married in the spring of 1942. The morning of December 7, 1941 the announcement was heard across America that we were at war, Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Mother and dad were married that same day as they knew dad would soon be going to war, he was drafted on March 1, 1942. He was first sent to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas before being sent to Long Beach, California and then he was assigned to a cargo ship. He also spent time in Alaska, at that time it was considered 'overseas'. We share the lives of our loved ones so they are not to be forgotten.

This picture is their wedding photo, she had made this dress for their honeymoon. You can feel the sadness of the uncertain future in their faces, not knowing if they had a tomorrow.

Live your life as if there is no tomorrow:  Laugh while you are able:  Give unselfishly to the ones you hold dear in heart.

Posted by: Anne

Since November is my mother's birthday month, actually it will be this Saturday November 15th. I thought I might share something about her. As I have carefully gone through her notes and other things she had in boxes and had carefully placed for me to find, I ran across a note book where she apparently had wanted to write her Life Story. She didn't get really far with it but I would like to add it here just as she wrote the story.

Untold Memories: 

"My life began November 15, 1920 on a farm south of Sherman, Texas in Grayson County.

  

In the summer of 1928 at the age of eight years old I became a Christian at a Baptist camp meeting in a tabernacle at Pilot Grove, Texas. I remember the Sunday morning distinctly. We were lined up in front of the church, all quoted John 3:16.

We lived on a farm West of Pilot Grove, these were the times that were called the "Good Old Days". We learned the value of work, appreciated the things we worked for. "Poor" yes we were poor but didn't know it." 

God gave me a faithful mother and I am forever grateful of all the things that she taught me through life and by her Godly example while she was here. 

This picture of my mother at her 90th birthday with her 4 grandsons of whom she dearly loved and was very proud of them and all that they have accomplished in their lives. I know they are sweet boys because they are my boys and they have blessed me so much and they are each my gift of love. 

Also I see how the scripture John 3:16 was such a favorite of mom's, as it started her spiritual journey  as a small child it was with her when she made the decision to go to Canton Oaks it just happen to be her room number '316' so for her it was a sign that the Lord had given her to be at peace with.

Posted: By Anne with love.

I just can't help this year but add some things about my sweet mother, I know she is with the Lord and I wouldn't have her come back to her painful life that she lived here on earth for anything. Although I do find that I miss her still very much. Especially when different dates will come about that will have a special significance to me. This is October already and it is now a year since mom made the decision to go to Canton Oaks. Her first day there was on October 7th 2013. I don't know where the time has gone this year but it has. She was a brave little lady, she always told me 'I will know when it is time' and she did. She loved her family and the Lord, nothing pleased her more than to talk to her grandsons and find out what was going on in their lives, she loved to be involved in all their things and she loved to know about her great-grand children, and all that they were doing. She also loved being with her sisters, they always had a great time together and always had pictures to share with us, it just wouldn't be a visit without those cute pictures that are a treasure now.

I ran across a 'Thank You' card from her to me the other day, it reads: 'I can say "Thank You" but that doesn't cover what your did. They don't make a "card" big enough to say "Thank You". I love you and appreciate the things you do. Love, Mom.  (I am thankful for a great Mother.)

  Posted by Anne

Ione and Weldon travels during the war

Travels during war