Oh Nanny - 13 years have come and gone since you left us so
unexpectedly that Tuesday evening! Tears
still flow today over how much we miss you and how we wish we could hear your
voice again on the really hard days down here.
So much has happened in those 13 years - some good and some
bad! Some I wished you were here to see
and some of it I am so glad that you were not here to see or experience!
Some of the good - Ashley and Alex (Lex as we call him now)
are both college graduates - happy and healthy!
Ashley is married to a fine former marine and she is career minded (a little like her mom); they live in a
beautiful home and they are both Christians -which means you will see them
again! Oh and did I tell you just how
beautiful she is both inside and out!
Lex is still single and lives a good life - still the kind
hearted little boy you loved so much! He
is quick to feel for others and worries a little too much sometimes (kinda like
you did). He is a Christian as well and
what a privilege it was to be there when he became one and there is no better
peace on this earth than knowing that they both will spend eternity with Jesus
and you and me!
Heather and Holly are both moms now - kind moms with
gorgeous girls! Zoey is Heathers and
will be starting school this fall. Emily
and Addison belong to Holly and they precious as well! Katelyn is 16 and driving now - where did the
time go? Seems like she was just a baby
but she too is growing into a fine young woman.
Mom has left Midfield - we tried her living with me but that
did not work very well for her. She was
not happy in my house so she is in an apartment in Montevallo - safe from the
dangers of a city that was no longer what it was when we grew up. I know she misses you so much!
Pam and Rusty are doing fine - they survived the terrible
tornado that destroyed their house and they are stronger for it! Bought another beautiful home - they are
happy and healthy!
As you know, Ona and Nathan are there with you now - that
was most difficult for us but truly we know they are in a better place.
Jesse and Robert are both no longer in Alabama - Robert is
still in Arizona - living his life his way.
Jesse moved to the Philippines and will probably spend the rest of his
life there playing music! We still worry
about them so much but God has a plan and we lift them up in prayer all the
time.
As for me, I had no idea that the I would miss you so much
especially as the kids left home and the house was empty. My years last few years have been spent
working and working and caregiving to Darryl who has had more than his fair
share of illness. Some days I just long
to visit with you but I hold tight to the fact that soon we will all be
together again.
See you soon! With
ALL my love,
Laurel
