Sixty Year Snapshot

Today is the 60th anniversary of my very first New Year's Day.  So I thought I would try a little retrospective in 10 year bites.  Now, obviously, I don't remember a lot about 1/1/1956 (as I was 8 months old at the time) - but this morning I did watch (as my first movie of 2016), the 1956 sci fi classic "Earth Vs the Flying Saucers". 
1/1/1966 - I was 10 and in 5th grade.  I was heavy into comic books and cub scouts (though later this year I would move up to Boy Scouts (Troop 27 - Starkville, MS).  At this time comics were 12 cents each and most of any money I earned was spent on them. I lived on McKee Street with my parents and younger sister (born in 1957).
1/1/1976 - I was in my 4th year in the U.S. Guard and in the process of getting ready to reenlist for 6 years in order to maximize the reenlistment bonus I was qualified for.  I was stationed in Memphis and would marry for the first time later that year. (Though I didn't know it at the time.)
1/1/1986 - I was stationed on the USCG Gulf Strike Team (in Mobile, AL).  I was married to Sue and we had four children. (Ages 7, 6, 4, & 2 at this date).
1/1/1996 - I was working for Quincy's Family Steakhouse & Buffet in Starkville.  I retired from the Coast Guard in 1992 and had a 5th child that was born in 1988.  She would be the last of our children. We were living in a large home (Double wide with large addition added home) with seven bedrooms.
1/1/2006 - Sue passed away 4 weeks ago and I was devastated.  We were married over 29 years and at this time none of the children lived at home.  At the time I had 3 grandchildren.  It was dark time for me.
1/1/2016 - I still live in the large home, but now share it with DKW who I met in late 2008 (almost exactly 3 years after Sue died).  We celebrated our 6th anniversary last year and she was the big reason I came out of the dark place.  I retired from MSU last year (2nd retirement) and a month ago started a part-time job at a local medical facility. I have 8 grandchildren now - the youngest being 5 months old and the oldest 16 years old.
Now I've left a lot out that happened over the past 60 years.  Otherwise I would be writing for days - but, like most folks, there have been many highs and some lows - but all-in-all I've had - and have - a good life.  Count your blessings.  In the past month, I've lost my mother and Aunt (who passed yesterday of a sudden coronary).  You never know when it might be your time.  I'll do an entry like this again in 2066! :-)
Everyone have a great day!

Playing Catch-up!

First, I want to start with the good stuff.  On December 4th, the SHS Yellowjackets won the Mississippi 6A Football championship by defeating the Petal Panthers, 27-7.  Starkville pretty much dominated in a game played on the campus of That School Up North. A great finish to the SHS football season of my 60th year.

 

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Now - the not-so-good.  Mama passed away on December 15th (just one week ago) and the funeral was held on December 17th.  She is interred next to Daddy (Fred) and just a few steps from my grandparents (Big Daddy and Mamma Jenny Sanders - her parents (Grover /Jenny).)  And just a few more steps from Sue, my first wife. 
I've been telling everyone that asks that it is a sense of grief mixed with relief.  She was not present mentally, and the pain, while treated by hospice care, did not go on for a long period.  No more suffering.
As I said before, December is tough on DKW and I (Sue died 10 years ago, her mom last year, and now my mom this year).  I try to tell everyone, hold on to the memories of Mama at her best, and not how she was the last few months.  Even with though she was trying at times, I do have fond, loving memories, and she will be missed.
Everyone have a great (holi-)day!

Another Trying Week - Mama Not Doing Well

Hi All,

The title pretty much says it all.  That said, everyone that I needed to notify - family and friends of family - has been contacted by now.  So I feel free to post this here now.  What follows is excerpts from an email that DKW wrote to notify some friends:   (Please note I left out a lot of medical and personal details for privacy's sake.)

Hi, Folks:  Some of you are aware that Carolyn's mental and physical health has declined rapidly in the past six to seven weeks.  Dementia has not just made an appearance, but has moved in, settled down, and taken up permanent residency.  She is cognizant at times, but it is rather sporadic and sometimes it's difficult to tell if she is recognizing the world, people, and words around her.

 We are asking that no one feel any sort of pressure to visit, however if you want to do so, you certainly may.  We will be taking things one day at a time, of course, and ask that you call before you plan to come, so that we can let you know if that is a good time.  Carolyn has been sleeping lots and lots, but there are times when we are bathing and caring for her more intimate needs that would be most inconvenient to receive visitors at those times or shortly thereafter, as these activities are extremely exhausting for Carolyn.

For those of you who live out of the area and yet would like to be of assistance, please do not feel you must hasten or plan to be here for services and such.  Jerry is available in the evenings for phone calls, from 4:30p to 6:30p {except tonight, Thursday Dec 10th ~~ he is actually being Santa for the children at Emerson today, as he has for the past seven years}.  Carolyn is not really present in any sort of way, and I feel any visits at this point would not be noted by her.  So please do not feel you must come to see her.  It'd be much better if you remember her as the caring and loving person she was when you knew her. 

As far as us:  Jerry is, of course, grieving.  It hurts to see his mother so incapacitated.  However, he is strong and since her decline has been rapid, her suffering has been minimal, of that he is extremely glad.  Please understand, if he seems distracted or abrupt on the phone.

As for myself, I really am ok.  I appreciate your concern and condolences; however, at this time, I'd rather focus on Carolyn and process things more deeply at some later time.  Thank you all for your consideration and understanding, D.

Trying Week

Memories

 

Just a quick post.  Must leave for my new part-time job in about 10 minutes.  The job is not the reason for the title though.  This week (today - 12/3 - for me & Saturday 12/5 for DKW) marks the passing of two special people that we each loved for different reasons.  My first wife, Sue, died unexpectedly as of the result of a fire 10 years ago today.  It still affects me, and always will.  DKW knows this, accepts it, and this is just one of the reasons I love her and married her.  Saturday marks one year since DKW's mom passed.  Her relationship with her mom went far beyond mother/daughter - they were best friends.  The only people I know that I can compare it to is the relationship that Sue had with our oldest daughter, Melissa.  It physically hurt them both.  I love them both.  Everyone have a great day. 
Melissa / Debra - I love you!

My (Belated) Thanks

Thursday past was Thanksgiving and DKW & I had a dozen plus family and friends over for the turkeys (we had two) and fixings. It was a busy day and in addition to cooking I, like most American males, was interested in football.  So until today I didn't take take to reflect a bit and give thanks.

Now I am thankful for football.  Its my favorite sport and I tend to watch to excess.  Frequent readers know my Starkville High Yellowjackets won Friday and will be playing for the Mississippi 6A state championship on December 4th.  It is half-time of the Egg Bowl, and (so far) MSU is getting their hat handed to them by Ole Miss (28-3).  Sigghhhh!
But football aside, first and foremost I am thankful for family.  My mother is in a nursing home and with a diagnosis of early onset alzheimer is not doing well.  Moments of lucidity come and go in an instant.  It hurts when I visit, so I prefer to remember her when she was at her best.  I am so very thankful for what she has contributed to my life.  I'm thankful for my children.  We have not always agreed (what parents and kids do) but the love has always been there.  And because of them I'm thankful for my grandchildren (8 and counting). I'm thankful for my wives.  Now - I'm not a polygamist. :-)  My 1st wife and I were married 29+ years and have 5 children.  Sue passed away almost 10 years ago (12/3/2005) and I'm so very thankful for what she contributed to my life.  I met DKW in December 2008 and we we married in October 2009. I'm thankful for her bringing joy into my life again and having the Autumn of my life blossom again with with hope.  I am thankful for so many friends and acquaintances I can't remember or list them all.  But if you know me, you know who you are and you will forever (thankfully) have been a part of the life that made me - me.  Lastly, I want to single out Sharon Bauman, Debra's mom.  Sharon passed away on December 5th, 2014 - just a week from now. Sharon lived next door to us for the last 3 years of her life. She was a no-nonsense, speak-your-mind individual who did not suffer fools lightly and I came to love her.  This year has been hard on DKW and the most I could do was offer a kiss, hug, and a soft "I know, I know." as tears were shed.  She and Sharon were extremely close.  Thanks Sharon. 
Everyone should reflect, give thanks, and hug those you can, while you can.  Have a great day!

On to Oxford

1 more Win  for State Championship

I'm gonna keep this brief  I just got home  from a really exciting game.  Starkville High scored 14, then Madison Central scored 14, plus a field goal right  before the half and led  the Yellow Jackets 17-14.  SHS kicked off to start the 2nd half and stopped them to force a punt. The Jackets drove down and scored to lead 21-17.  They scored again late in the 3rd to lead 28-17.  MC kicked a field goal (after SHS's defense held for 3 plays inside the one yard line) to make it 28-20.  That was the final score.
So next week (Friday, Dec. 4th at 7 PM) SHS will play the Petal Panthers (who beat Meridian 36-28 tonight) for the Mississippi 6A Championship.  I'm going!  The last time I attended a football game on That School Up North's campus I had gone with my dad and a friend of his to see my Bulldogs play the Rebels in Archie Manning's last Egg Bowl (1970).  I don't remember many details other than it was very exciting, MSU won 19-14, and Archie (Who?) played the game with a cast on his non-throwing hand.

Now if only the Bulldogs can win tomorrow.
Every one have a great day!

TWO MORE ! ! (Fingers Crossed)

2 wks + 6A= State Champs

Starkville High was at Clinton this past Friday (20th) and won 45-27 in a 2nd round playoff game that was much closer than the score indicates.  As a result, SHS will be at home the day after Thanksgiving to play Madison Central in the 3rd round of the 6A playoffs for the North Half  (Mississippi) Championship.  SHS played MC on October 16th and defeated them by a score of 28-10.  I don't foresee a different result this time.  That said, MC deserves a hand for defeating previous #1 (and undefeated) South Panola in the first round. (who had not lost a game in almost 3 years).  It may be a little tougher - given the stakes - But I sincerely believe that SHS will be playing for the Mississippi 6A title on December 3rd. 
What I find interesting is that Madison Central is ranked higher (by Maxpreps.com) than either of the two teams (Meridian HS and Petal HS) playing for the 6A South Half title.
Can't wait!