May 16, 2011

What do you say about a lady who was strong, courageous, loving, and full of faith? Berneele Ione Hill Daniels was extracted from her earthly body and transcended to the eternal life at 9:40 pm on May 16, 2011.

Her gentle demeanor was always present. Her steadfastness was always a part of her being. Her faith was a trademark of who she was. "MeeMaw", as the grandchildren called her, was a "pistol" at times also.

I can think of the times of sacrifice that Mom and Dad made for Jeanie and I. I know there were times that they gave to us when they could not afford to. While Jeanie and I were adopted in their later lives, we NEVER felt anything other than "they were mom and dad."

Mom loved her grandchildren.... Melissa, Brent, Bobby, Lindsey, Chris, Eliana (great-grandchild), Lauren, Corby, Harper (great-grandchild), Leah and Mike. Mom loved her son-in-law-Paul and daughter-in-law-Kay.

I will never forget about her driving excursions. She was in her middle to late eighties and many of her dear friends had already past on, but, she was driving her 70 year old friends to the doctor because they were too old to drive. Hilarious!

Mom loved a new car. Even after we "suggested" that she not drive anymore and sold her vehicle, I would come to town and she would talk about getting a new car. She loved a new vehicle.

Mom's Bible is a treasured book.

Some "Fall" thoughts....

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  The air is crisp (sometimes) and when the leaves begin to turn to the magnificent shades of yellow and orange, the hillsides just become breathtaking.  Fall has always been a "new beginning".  I think I feel this way because of the work I do for the school system.  There is always a sense of excitement when a new school year begins.

There were times in years past where as we readied ourselves for a new school year there was a sense of anticipation...a sense of coming-together...a sense of pride and cooperativeness as a team.  I don't know if I'm just getting older and more cynical, but those days of excitement have long since left me.  It seems the biggest talk in my office is "when are you retiring?"  And, I must say, if I could, I would retire today.  For several months now, I have felt like a man on an island by himself with nothing but stormy seas splashing on the shore.  Have you ever been the "go-to" guy and now you are not?  Have you ever been the "problem-solver" and now you are not? 

Fall is a time of new beginnings.  My new beginning is to find contentment in whatever state I find myself.  It may take the form of retirement.  It may take the form of continued work for the school district.  It may take the form of helping the less fortunate.  I drive by the less fortunate every morning and afternoon as I leave my home and return in the evenings.  For so many years, I lived in West Little Rock where poverty really does not exist.  Downtown Little Rock is a much different story.  I literally see people who have slept on the street with a raggedy blanket around them to keep them warm.  I'm driving my Jeep Wrangler, stopping for morning coffee at Starbucks, and, yet, within a stone's throw, there is a homeless man who proably does not have even food to eat.

So many people need help.  I'm just one person, but, I am willing to do what I can to make the underpriveleged lives' better.