Memorial Day Decoration

On the last Sunday of every May, which 99% of the time falls on Memorial Day, we have decoration for our Bowers' family in Sevierville. As a young'un, we knew that meant an afternoon picnic with our cousins and possibly a dip in the lake. We didn't realize the most important part of the day is going to this cemetery where great grandparents, great aunts, great uncles, and cousins are buried. Without cease or fail, my grandmother and her siblings would have their trunks loaded down with flowers, tin cans wrapped in aluminum foil, and milk jugs full of water armed and ready to pay their respects. Every year we would get the repeated lesson of who each grave belonged to and their relation to us.

This year though, we didn't get that repeated lesson. This is the first year we did this trek without one of the siblings in my grandmother's generation in attendance. We now have to put all of those years of lessons into practice on our own as my Aunt Lib recently died leaving us a couple of months shy of one last visit to these graves with one of their generation.

With some big shoes to fill, these two step up to the task of carrying out this Memorial Day Tradition - not alone, of course, as there are others in their generation but these are decidedly the oldest!

We had an album of all, or a lot of, our previous Memorial Day trips to look through. While it's extremely sad that these grandparents/parents are no longer with us, it's also very encouraging to see how the family has grown, and see a glimpse of our elders in each one.

Johnny and Janice.

Calvin, Debbie, and Deidre.


Lanie, and Thomas with the ever present stick. Or two.

Unfortunately, kids don't always know what it's like to take a blanket out in the yard and sit under the shade tree. With their grandparents. Swatting flies away. Flipping ants off the blanket. Barefoot.

It is impossible not to take a camera full of pictures of this one. Ain't she just the cutest?

And this one, he's precious.

Beautiful.

Every time we leave a picnic or get together like this, my kids ask why we can't do it more often. Why can't we do that every Sunday afternoon?

And really, why can't we?

The Three Stooges, I mean, AMIGOS!

These three girls have such a history. So much so that part of their history doesn't even involve them! Loran, Lendi, and Alex - friends whether they like it or not! Loran and Lendi's mothers (Leah and Kristi) and I have known each other FOREVER! And by forever I really mean forever. Since birth. Since in utero. I don't remember ever not knowing them (cause I never did not know them). We vacationed together, played together while our parents were playing cards, horseshoes, softball, etc. Leah is 14 months older than me. Kristi is 16 months older than me. Now, how's this for history repeating itself. Loran is 14 months older than Alex and Lendi is 15 months older than Alex. And these three girls have known each other since birth. Since in utero. They don't ever remember not knowing each other (cause they have never not known each other).

These three are comfortable together. They can say anything to each other. They trust each other. They love each other. They cover for each other. They keep each other out of trouble - somewhat. And they have fun together. Definitely history repeating itself.

This year they played on the school volleyball team together. The first team they have ever all been on together. Alex and Loran have played volleyball, softball, and basketball together. And Lendi has been a cheerleader while they played basketball but this is the first time ever on the same team. Since this may be the first and last time, we got them together in their uniform for pictures.

Loran, Lendi, and Alex.

Alex has personal space issues. Definite personal space issues. Loran and Lendi feel it's their responsibility to decondition her and give her "therapy" whenever possible. That's why they have to lock their arms around her neck - so she can't get away. Sometimes I think it might be working.

I wonder if they could get so lucky that they could go through weddings, pregnancy, childbirth and raising children together?

I hope so.

Happy Graduation #2!

Last year, we went to Tony's niece, Chelsea's, graduation. This year we went to my niece, Holly's, graduation. Next year we will be back for his other niece's graduation (then a one year graduation break!).

Congratulations HOLLY! So very proud of this girl!

One of our school board members goes to our church so he was sure to be the one to be able to give Holly her diploma. Nice job, Rob!

Such relief to be done with the craziness called high school!

Fountain of Youth

We've found it! That magic thing that keeps you young - actually Tony's Papaw has found it. It's not a drug, cream, lotion, or potion. It's all in your mind. You've heard the saying, "You're only as old as you think you are." Well, he doesn't think he is very old at all.

I had heard him talking about buying LOTS of lumber because he wanted to build himself a shed. And add on to his kitchen. When Alex and I stopped there one day to take him his birthday present, this is where we found him.

He has built a shed. More like a barn.

And he has started his kitchen addition.

Oh, did I mention it was his 89th birthday...