A David Garland update, Winter Storm Jonas and cherishing the memories of friends

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Lois Roush.

Happy birthday to Sylvester Asmus, Jim Chambers, Greg Ourth, Pam Foeste, Pam Eichhorn, Steve Benton, Sandy Bollinger, Todd Chapman, Geoffrey Mirly, Cody Payne, Jim Arteme, Mike Crowden, Norma Evans, Josh Pobst, Jessica Nunnally, Kathy Enderle, Richard Nation, Justin Wilson, Kevin Ancell, Keith Ancell, CB Stidham, Darren McIntosh, Derrick Uhrhan, Tom Leible, Correy Chapman and Danny Walter.

Happy anniversary to Larry and Fran Wolfe.

Tomorrow is the first day of February and, with this being Leap Year, we get an extra day! Groundhog Day is Tuesday and Punxsutawney Phil will let us know if we will have an early spring!

We thank Don and Sharon McCarty for this update on David Garland, about whom we wondered last week. He married Don's sister, Delores, in 1971, and they have one daughter, Lori. They are retired now and live near Kentucky Lake, where they both enjoy fishing.

Snow day memories

The blizzard of 2016 came roaring through and, while we let out a sigh of relief of being spared, we can appreciate some of what those affected are enduring. My nephew, Travis, lives in McLean, Virginia, and sent me pictures as the reported 20 inches of snow accumulated. Like most, he had prepared in advance, but as we know, being stuck indoors can make one stir crazy. It seems no amount of snow can keep kids indoors, but most adults prefer the warm, cozy indoors. I thought of the many ways we used to entertain ourselves on those snow days. At our house, favorite activities included jigsaw puzzles, baking, taffy pulls, playing the piano, reading, Ping-Pong and sewing. I'm not certain what was keeping Travis occupied, but he did say he walked the neighborhood numerous times.

Remembering dear friends

Some of you may remember my writing several years ago about the loss of my best friend, Mary, in Dallas. We were friends for more than 30 years, and on most of those Fridays, we met for lunch. We talked a couple of times during the week, but our Friday extended lunches were our fun time and a chance to catch up. My beautiful friend was a smoker and, although she had quit for several years, the smokes killed her.

Mary's passing was a devastating shock to her friends and especially to her husband, Weldon. He barely had the strength to attend her service, and many of us questioned if he would survive the week. This will interest those of you who have penny superstitions. At Mary's graveside service, the pastor and a guest saw two pennies on the ground. They were both heads up; they picked them up and looked down again and there was a third penny. It was tails up, so they let it be. (Superstition says you should turn it over for the next person.)

Weldon passed peacefully away last week in his sleep; three years later and one day shy of Mary's passing. Weldon's health had improved much during those three years, and Richard and I, his friends and his siblings were all so thankful God gave us this special time with Weldon. Richard and I had our annual pecan exchange with him and he got to celebrate his December birthday, a day before Richard's. He delighted in meeting and petting one of Richard's white Indian fantails, Fluffy, while it calmly perched on Richard's shoulder. During those three years, he also got to reunite with his three sisters and three brothers. He was a wonderful person and a gentle soul. We will miss him, but we have no regrets; I told him we loved him and we know he loved us. We never know what each day may bring in this crazy, ever-changing world, and that is why I always close with the following statements.

Final thoughts

Remember to tell those special people in your life that you love them -- those three words mean so very much.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and many friends of Paul Ebaugh, who left us much too soon. Although he lived in Cape Girardeau, many remember him and those years the Ebaughs lived in Chaffee. Our thoughts and prayers are also with others who are missing loved ones, our homebound, those in hospitals and nursing homes and those undergoing cancer treatments. Please email your news and comments to darbuck2@airmail.net or leave a message at (573) 887-6430 or (214) 207-7839.

And then...

Then there was the desk cycle popular with kids and adults.