May, a Month of Transition

Good morning, all. May is one of my favorite months, full of change, renewal, transition. This is the month that April blossoms give way to the green that will carry us through the summer. It is the month when we can feel pretty confident that winter has relinquished its hold on us and the searing heat of summer is still far away. We watch the fields go from brown to green as tiny seeds become growing plants. We enjoy warm breezes and we dodge the furious storms.

For us too, it is a time of transition. Children move from the gentle training grounds of high school to the less forgiving forum of the young adult. Whether you move on to college for more education or step directly into the world of employment or the military, you will step away forever from the child you were and begin, or should I say continue, to forge the adult you choose to be. I stress the word "choose" for although things over which you have no control will continue to happen to you, who you become is dependent on how you choose to react to those things. You will make mistakes. You will make wonderful choices. You will live each and every day of your life so make it count. You may not always get many do-overs, but you will always have an opportunity to make a good choice today.

For those of you who were shocked to read in last week's column that Lendell and Mary Small have a son named Luke, I must apologize. So were they. I have no idea why my brain allowed my fingers to type that name. Luke is really Jake, as I am sure you know, and I am also sure I know. What can I say? Brain burp? Senility? Jake, I apologize. I promise I know who you are. Do I ever get your name wrong when I am asking for your help? Of course not.

Demetra Shultz was pleased to have her son Douglas spend Mother's Day weekend with her. Douglas came from Springdale to celebrate with Demetra and Terry. They all very much enjoyed the time to visit.

Rena Snow also had company over Mother's Day. A lot of company! They started arriving on Thursday. Daughter, Janis and her husband, Bruce Mundy of Reno, NV drove in with Judy Snow Neely who they picked up at the airport. Judy is from San Antonio, TX. Later Paige and her husband Richard Mobley arrived from Little Rock.

Friday afternoon Glen and Jackie Snow arrived from Owensboro, KY and Craig Snow drove in from Wilmington, NC. Later that evening came Celia Henary from Memphis.

Saturday evening brought in the last of the siblings, Ellen Dalton of St. Francis. She brought with her, her son Jack Dalton with his wife Pam and daughter, Abi. Joining the family at a cookout Saturday were a nephew, Wayne Rogers and wife Betty of Paragould and Kay Rogers Johnson and husband Bob of Byron, MI.

All seven children attended church with their mother at the First Baptist Church Sunday morning as did Richard Mobley, Jack and Pam Dalton, Ashley and Abi. Joining the group at noon was Laura Dalton Foltz with husband, Bryan and their children, Sarah and Jacob of Martin, TN. Joy Henary rounded out the group by driving in from Memphis to spend Sunday night with the family.

Mrs. Snow says "Having two dozen family members made for a great Mother's Day. The family all enjoyed being together." This is made more enjoyable because it rarely happens more than once a year. There were many pictures made over the weekend and more than a few childhood tales were resurrected, making it an enjoyable and memorable weekend for them all.

Last Friday was graduation day at RHS. What a great looking graduating class! And three Valedictorians! You are awesome. Once again I was impressed with the scholarships earned by this class. I think we are all going to benefit from this group of graduates.

Cassie Morris who started school with these RHS graduates will graduate from Fayetteville High School on Thursday May 20th. Cassie is the daughter of Tim and Paulette Morris and the sister of Zack. Congratulations to you, Cassie. You all still have a lot of friends here in Rector. Hope to see you sometime soon.

I had an email from Chris Bearden White wanting to know what happened that the ice cream sandwich stand was missing from last year's labor day picnic. Good question. I missed it myself. It seems that the couple who have tended that stand for so many years gave it up last year and no one stepped in to take it over. As to whether it will be here this year, or not, I don't know. The Picnic Committee has not met yet, but the question will be raised. It might just depend on whether or not we have a volunteer to run it. If you are interested in volunteering to help in any way with the Labor Day Picnic contact Theresa Roofe. I really do like the ice cream sandwiches. They are a Labor Day tradition.

Check out Barbie Terry's new blog on the www.rectorarkansas.com website.

You might also enjoy this site. It is the last Doo Wop band performance at the Collins Theater. Check it out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3nPFC7ycgE

Sherry Jennings has a visitor this week. An adorable little Chihuahua showed up on her doorstep. She is white and brown and black (the doggie, not Sherry) and is house broken. If you are missing this little darling you can call Sherry at Sigsby Insurance Co 595-3291.

Oh, my! It is late. I had better end this and get it turned in. Thank you for all your emails. I appreciate each and every one as well as letters and phone calls. So please, stay in touch. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Keep our soldiers in your prayers.