Surprise Reunion Photos

The Star of the show, my Aunt Katie, 102 years young.

Three sisters (standing) Doris 82 and Katie 102, (sitting) Daisey Mae 92

Aunt Katie & Aunt Daisey Mae

(seated) Aunt Doris, my cousin Ramona, Aunt Daisey Mae, standing my cousin J.D.

Aunt Doris, my cousin Diana and Aunt Daisey Mae

Aunt Katie's dog "Polly".

We stopped at Harris Teeter on the way home and I just had to take a picture of this cute doggie cake they had for sale. I won't charge you any extra for this picture.

Surprise family reunion

Yesterday Linda & I decided we needed to visit my Aunt Katie since we had not seen her for a couple of weeks. She as i hope you remember is 102 and still living by herself and active.

When we got there we were excited to find two of her sisters & two of my cousins there as well. I may get it wrong but one of her sisters, Doris is 80 and Daisy Mae is 92. Uncle Lester was there too and he is almost 94. Also along for the visit were Ramona & Diana who I had not seen for a couple of years. My cousin JD popped in briefly.

Needless to say it was a fun time time for all of us with lots of laughs and catching up. I took pictures but before we left home a virus took over our main computer so I am two finger pecking this blog on Linda's "little" notebook. I promise to post the pictures first of the week.

Do you know what "HOPE" is?

Do you know what Hope is?

It's magic and it's free.

It's not in a prescription.

It's not in an IV.

It punctuates our laughter,

It sparkles in our tears.

It simmers under sorrows,

And dissipates our fears.

Do you know what Hope is?

It's reaching past today,

It's dreaming of tomorrow,

It's trying a new way.

It's pushing past impossible

It's pounding on the door,

It's questioning the answer.

It's always seeking more.

It's rumors of a break

It's whispers of a cure

A roller coaster ride.

Of remedies, unsure.

Do you know what Hope is?

It's candy for the soul,

It' perfume for the spirit,

To share it,

Makes you Whole.

What's in a name?

My friend Belle brought up the subject of dealing with your name this morning and made me think about mine a little stronger. My personal situation is really kind of unique. You see my father was born as one of twins back in 1913. They looked nothing alike but when my grandparents came up with names they were stuck on "O's" that day.

My father was named Odie and my uncle was named Otha. My father's full name was Odie Langley. That's right, no middle initial. So when I came along they named me Odie Langley, Jr. Again, no middle name or initial. For the first 21 years I was know as "Junior". It really took me a while to get comfortable with being called Odie after I got out of the military.

Over the years I may be giving my information to someone over the phone and would receive mail addressed to O.D. Langley, Oddie Langley or even Otis Langley. I even got into the habit of saying after I had given my name, you know, like Garfield's buddy hoping they were familiar with the comic strip character dog with the red tongue.

I know there are other Odie's in the world but during my adult life I have known of only one other Odie anywhere near where I live and that is Odie Griffin in Rocky Mount, NC. If there is another I do not know of him. Over the years I have wondered if life would have been different for me had my name been John, Sam, Benjamin or some other familiar name? Just a thought.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the newness of life and the promise of spring found in our Bradford Pear Trees. My area is literally covered with them and they are all in full bud at this time and in a day or two they should be in full bloom like the ones above taken from Googles picture bank. It's amazing how something this simple could have such an impact on how I feel but it sure does. Praise God from whom "all" blessing flow. Praise Him all creatures here below

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday