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10/01/12 02:38 AM

#5279

John Burgess Webb

jackie,i hope the chemo works and you can avoid surgery.i admire your high spirits and believe that it is the kind of faith that god loves;you have our prayers and thoughts,so good a person should not suffer in the years culminating your labor.god speed.

burge

10/01/12 08:02 AM

#5280

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey Jackie...WE ARE WITH YOU...but even more important, God is with you...sometimes it doesnt seem like it. Seems like you are all alone during the dark times. BUT YOU ARE NOT ! ! ! ! ...I know I've told this story more n once, but Diane went through cancer and a bad time back in summer of 87. She had two major surgeries in less than 8 hours, and a complete blood transfusion, meaning she lost all her blood and was replaced with new and better blood...collapsed lung...high fever...just one fire after another...and she even died on the operating table, dont know whether it was in the first surgery, or second...been 25 years so it's getting kind of fuzzy, and for that I am thankful...Diane doesnt remember any of it at all, and for that I am thankful too...

One of the attending surgeons told me that when she died on the operating table, everything stopped...docs, nurses, no breathing no movement, until he, the doctor, said..."she's in Gods hands now"...he then said that Dianes body lurched and she started breathing again and heart started up on it's own, and then he said, the operating room filled up with every available doctor and nurse, and they worked furiously to make sure she made it...(it would appear that God had other plans for my beloved) that was probably the darkest moment in my life, in that long flourescent lit hallway, alone...just leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor...thinking, "how am I gonna make it through this "alone"...HA...dont know how the word got out, but soon, elevators started dinging at our floor, and family and friends started pouring out and filling up the hallway, and well, you know the rest of the story 25 years later...you see her at Fudds every 2nd tuesday...where we are going to see you from now on...

She endured closed MRIs, and a year of chemo, chemo so bad, that they had to darken the room and put a bag over the life saving "poison" because it was so sensitive to light...she couldnt eat anything other than a saltine cracker for about 6 months or so...and only water to drink...thats about all she could keep down...her weight dropped to 80 pounds...had to sleep downstairs for 3 months..of course she had company, me and her beloved cat Callie, and a couple of other rescued kittens...

How many times have we heard..."it's always darkest before the dawn"...??? I can see Mrs Simpson saying that very thing in our 5th grade classroom at Oak Forest Elem...

I guess Gods other plans for Diane was that she would have 35 years in the classroom, helping special need kiddos learn their A B Cs...now she is teaching teachers how to help special kids...

Why relate this story??? Sympathy??? Recognition???? none of the above...Just, that there is always... HOPE...! ! ! ! ! There is that...

Please let us know what any or all of us can do, besides pray...drive you? sit with you in waiting rooms?? give blood???

Since I know how important your children and grandchildren are to you, how bout for starters, I share the "best Sunday ever" with you...For most of us Family and friends are important...I'm no different. Yesterday my eldest Son, ol shootem in the leg and broke collar bone Wild Bill, and his WONDERFUL girlfriend Julie, came over for Sunday breakfast, and then attended church with us, then had lunch with us...Friends, IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT FOR ME...if that were all I had in this life, that is enough...God, you'ld think I was predicate, I'm glowing...Nah, I'm too old to be predicate, but not too old, it seems, TO GLOW...

yesterday was almost like a "Walton" sunday dinner for me...simple pleasures for a simple man...

I even made my whirld famous breakfast tacos for Bill and Julie and us...received rave revues from all...no grits though, they are not "grit people" ...where did I go wrong??? Oh well...

Ok, got to sing off...got to make breakfast and lunch for Dianes busy day...Got carpet people coming over this morning to do half the upstairs, then tomorrow to finish the rest...Coop and I have school today unless the carpet people dont finish before 1...got school tomorrow, unless the carpet people ddont finish before noon...

DW says thanks for the "happy birthday wishes" ...me too...

your frien and brother Beaucephus Claiborne

10/01/12 09:22 AM

#5281

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Good Monday morning all,

First, Jackie, you are a wonder and with your upbeat attitude you will keep this wretched malady at bay....it has tried to take so many of my friends and acquaintences and loved ones....but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel for you, with all the advances and treatments that they are discovering.

So many well-written comments about different things on the forum, certainly enjoyed reading them. I've been an extremely busy PEIMS person since Aug. so not much time to write in. I've also had the grandson, his wife and two little ones living with me and my very elder dogs and cat, trying to keep up with all of 'em this summer and Fall.

Burge, it was very troubling to me of the loss of our Americans over at our Embassy in Libya. I still can't get it off my mind....how could this have happened... and is still not wholly explainable, nor transparent. to the American public ..seems to be never-ending with these countries...(.my mind is not participating with good recall of names and such as I write this), but I'm sure it is a much "bigger" issue than is being reported.

Have enjoyed a little rain here in Grimes county ...1 1/2 Sat. So thankful for that....and happy birthday to Diane and all. Continued good health to all, and everyone that are getting over their illnesses as reported.

10/01/12 10:29 AM

#5282

Beau Wann, Jr.

Yaaaa Kay....so glad to hear from you...I worry about you with the heavy load you carry...I know you are busier than a onelegged firefighter stomping out a grass fire...Teachers and staff generally are, plus the extra added count in residents at your residence...hope you are experiencing little to no problems with your elderly critters...

Our cats and dogs are advancing in age, too fast...got two cats both 16, one that has to take two thyroid pills a day...DW has gotten that chore down to a science with little or no trouble. Katy, the one taking pills, had learned to put the pill in her cheek and then spit it out later...who said cats are dumb??? I generally find the little "pink pills" here and there...Good thing they are bright flouresent pink...

Peaches the other 16 year old just hollars at us to "get her some water", get her some food" etc....oh, she likes water out of whatever you are drinking out of, coffee cup etc. Have to use three cups in the morning, one for Diane, one for me and one for Peaches...

3 of the cats are 12 years old, and one, the brat, Annie-bob, is 5...They are all pretty sweet, except when they arent!!!!! Yeah, I know just plain ol silly...if the critters shenanigans are the worst thing that happens to me, I'm tickled pink...

Carpet people are here and upstairs...stompin and banging around...sounds like a bunch of slow movin giant woodpeckers...critters dont like it...me neither too also...

Good news, it's fall, sort of...weather is just beautiful isnt it ! ! ! Good "sittin on the swing with your cat and dog" weather...Ol Big Oliver now jumps up on the swing, instead of waiting for me to sit first...

News is kinda wacky, as per usual: "Schwarzenegger says he kept many secrets"...well there's a real shocker...one secret he didnt keep was how stupid he was/is...

Bonnie and Clydes guns sold for bout half million dollars...Bonnies .38 special, the one she kept taped to the inside of her thigh...264,000.00...that must a hurt if she had to make a "quick draw"...Clydes 1911 .45 cal went for $240,000.00. Wonder where he kept it! ! ! !

Butch Cassidys Colt .45 went for $175K...ok, now the folks have bought them, now what??? Use to like em, but dont much care for "wall hangers" anymore. I guess they will wait a spell, and offer em up for sale and make a passel o money, like the folks that they bought em from...

I remember my dad talking about the 32 ford that B and C were killed in...at least I think it was a 32, well no matter, Clyde liked Fords...Dad said the people that owned it, dragged it all over Arkansas and Missouri so folks could see it. Dont know if they charged anything to look at it. Dad said he saw it in Hot Springs or some where in Ark...memory of the conversation kinda blurred...like my eyesight and hearing...

Here's another: "Inmate takes food fight to appeals court"...I always thought we were taught from an early age, that you go to prison, YOU LOSE ALL YOUR RIGHTS AND PRIVILIGES...if you dont want to do the time, dont do the crime...dont like the food, dont eat ! ! ! ! To my way of thinking, "discomfort" should be a deterrent, dontchathink????

Oh well, guess I will sing off again...
your frien and brother Beaucephus

Post Script: WOOF FEST 2012 will be October 7th from 2 to 4 PM at Oaks Presbyterian church 1576 Chantilly Lane...right across from Black Jr High...
Should be a few vendors there, plus some dog rescue groups...adoption information, crafts for kids; games fro dogs and their person...bake sale...training tips...AKC info....Canine Good Citizen testing...
Plus Diane, Cooper and I will be there...I have to be there to help set up and Diane has to be there to make sure Cooper and I dont get into trouble...like we are want to do...

10/02/12 01:57 AM

#5283

John Burgess Webb

kay,its good to hear you back on the forum;i figured you were going through some real tough changes and i hope everything settles out for you.family is the strongest and most important bonds we have;ups and downs come but the core unit of civilization is the family,all blessings to you and remember that god has promised that he will never forsake us.

beau,your account of the hallway scene was as resonating as anything possible.you are a blessed individual for the return of your mate.god does have a plan.imagination can run wild had things turned out different.im glad for you.

burge

10/02/12 11:03 AM

#5284

Beau Wann, Jr.

Thank you Burge...you are so right, God has a plan, and we are not privy to it, at least in the way that we want...

Hard to believe it's already October. Nice cool evenings and mornings...kinda reminds me of down on DuBarry days...Me and Jack and Big Olie settin on the swing...that is until they start playing tag..Big Olie bites jack on the foot, and Jack smacks Olie with his paw, and that earned Jack a smack on tthe nose and a bite on the nose...and Olies claws and teeth are a whole lot sharper than Jacks...Jack jumps off the swing, almost overturning us, and in particular ME ! ! ! Now Jack is dancin around wanting to play more tag...as big as Olie is, Jack sorta outweighs him by a...bunch...

Big olie jumps off the swing and it's "stick and move time"...both of them ol boys probably were boxers in a previous life...thrust and parry...no, thats fencing...stick and move...jab and dance...

Got the two rooms emptied into one room last night...our neighbors helped...we wouldnt have finished if they hadnt! ! ! As much junk and antiques as we have gotten rid of, we still have a...load...

Back feels like it has a spear stuck in it...which reminds me, need to take an aleve...

Guess I'll go lay down and wait for the carpet people...they're late ! ! ! !

10/03/12 10:52 AM

#5285

Jim Taylor

Just saw this on facebook.

Former Waltrip High School principal (1960-1971), Mr. Gordon Cotton passed away yesterday in Trinity, Texas at the age of 94. Services will be held Thursday at 2:00 at the First United Methodist Church in Trinity, Texas.

10/03/12 06:51 PM

#5286

Teddie Jordan

Mr. Cotton was a good man. And because Mr. Tusa and Ms. Gayle and the other administrators did such a good job of maintaining discipline and dealing with the details he was able to stay above the fray and be the leader.

Fran and I and her mom and sisters Linda and Judy just passed through Trinity on Sunday afternoon on our way to and from family friend Leslie Wayne Edwards', WHS '66, funeral services in Crockett.

Rest in peace Mr. Cotton.

10/03/12 11:08 PM

#5287

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Our dear Mr. Cotton gone, so sad. He was an outstanding leader and friend. I know we can all reflect on all the wonderful memories of him - not only in our high school years, but our class reunions that he so faithfully attended until his health kept him away.

Big hug and thanks again for all your encouraging words, prayers, cards and emails. And BroBeau, Diane's inspiring story of life and death is truly a miracle of God. We are all so glad her life was spared, cause she's a sweetheart we all love!

I go back to M.D. Anderson tomorrow and I'll keep you posted. My spirits are high and hey, I have too much to do on this website to allow the Big "C" to get in my way!!

Love,

10/04/12 12:27 PM

#5288

Steve Puckett '65

I vaguely recall someone telling me that actor Joseph Cotton was Gordon Cotton's older brother. Correct? Also, what did Mr. Cotton do after he was principal?

10/04/12 01:12 PM

#5289

Scotty Croom

do not know of connection w/joseph cotten,actor...i believe he retired to lake livingston,near trinity..several other waltrip retirees live there also...he grew up in walker co.,east of huntsville...

10/07/12 12:30 PM

#5290

Beau Wann, Jr.

WAYNE ! ! ! ! RUN, IT'S A TRICK ! ! ! WINTER HAS ARRIVED HERE, IT IS 56 GREDEES...SNOW TO FOLLOW...I HEARD IT WAS SNOWING IN CONROE...gonna buy a snowplow...oh the humanity....

10/07/12 01:04 PM

#5291

Susan Howard (Bowman)

Beau, you are too funny!!!! I am lovin' this autumn-like weather! Snow would not be funny!!

10/07/12 08:34 PM

#5292

Beau Wann, Jr.

Thanks Susan, laughter (laffter in east texas) is the best medicine...

And on a sad note, one of our classmates, Robbie Boswells father passed away yesterday October 6th right around suppertime...just in time to break bread with our lord...he turned 93 on September 29th...The visitation will be at 1 pm on Tuesday at the Klein Funeral home with services to follow at 2...graveside services will be at Brookside on highway 59 and the beltway...I know right where that place is, been to a half dozen or more services there for my family...dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc...

Talked to Robbie just a short while ago...he said his dad was at Memorial City Hospice with almost all the family in attendance to help him along on his final journey...

Robbie described his father as "his best friend" ...just about the best thing you can say about a person, especially a parent...I was accepted into the "Boswell Clan" about half century ago...they made me feel so welcome when in their presence...not so much because I was anything special, but because THEY were special people...I always tried to match their graciousness, which was infectious when you were with them...the kind of folks that were the best they could be, and never had to try hard at all, that's just the way they were...genuine good people...

They certainly influenced my young mind...I always considered Robbie as my best friend for life...actually my brother really...he along with his family taught me how to be a friend, and family member..."The Waltons" come to mind when I think about the Boswell Clan...I would have to say they were the most influential entity in my life...It was Robbie that taught me how to play the guitar, and appreciate jazz artists like Johnny Smith and others...my only complaint would be that I didnt get to see them ENOUGH...

I remember the year 1973, several momentous things happened, got divorced, and it snowed that winter...My Boys and I were walking down Bethlehem playing in the snow, and saw the Boswells outside at their house on 1923 Bethlehem...they invited us in for something warm to drink, after we built a snowman in their yard, my boys were 5 and 3 at the time...we stayed for two days...gave us our own room and fixed breakfast lunch and dinner for us...they didnt have to do that...but thats who they were...if they KNEW you, they loved you...and I must say, I loved them, as if they were my own parents and family...

Mr Boswell had been in the merchant marines in WWII..he wrote a book on his service, to which they were gracious enough to send a copy to me...I have read it half dozen times...I'd quote something from it for youse youtes, cept It is packed away and we havent gotten to that box yet, wherever it is..

.He was also an avid golfer, don't know what he shot, but if he was as good a golfer as he was a good person, father and friend, he shot 72 under par...

Mr and Mrs Boswell sure seemed like the perfect pair...I could see they loved and respected each other, which carried on down to their five children, Robbie, Peck, Kathy, Tina and Laura...

Life seems so short sometimes, but Mr Boswell had been with us for almost a century, and thats a long time...where does the time go????...I know his family will miss him...so will his extended family...Diane and I...
Thanks Mr B, for being so special, to think that I was someone special...Dont know how many "aces" you shot on the golf course, but you shot an "ace" in life...now, ALL your shots will be "aces"...Thanks again for being the gracious and kind influential "father figure" that helped shape my life...

10/08/12 10:36 AM

#5293

Bj Brady '65

Beau-

What a touching tribute you wrote about Mr. Boswell. I feel like I know the man now. I lived on Chamboard and had a family next door - The fitzgeralds - that I was very fond of. Ricky Fitzgerald was my best friend from day one. We moved in in 1949 into "the hood". I was 2 and so was Ricky. His Dad drove a bread truck for Mrs. Baird's bread. His Mom was the "hero" of the street. She became our Cub Scout leader for names you would know - Steve Puckett, Larry Cooper, and about 6 more than me and Ricky. My mother was a nurse for Dr. Spancus. Remember him - his office was right by the R.R. tracks by McDonalds. My Dad was an Architect and salesman. He designed and built rooves. Aggie - class of 1942. Helped design and build the runway on Tinion. Think about that. Launched the Enola Gay in Aug., 1945. He was there!! He died last October at age 90. Crusty old rascal. They were a tough generation. Never cut us any slack. Guess we all turned out pretty well.

Oh yeah, I packed a lunch and read your biography. It's more like a short story. Coming out in hardback, soon ??

Love ya, BJ

10/08/12 12:28 PM

#5294

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey BJ, you are too kind, and I thank you...your dad and your friends dad, were folks I would have liked to have been with. Being an engineer in WWII in the pacific meant you had to be the best in the whirld. Most of the time, your dad probably had to use jap equip to do his job. Thanks for the information on your dad. Everyone has a story, and everyone has been a hero, at onetime or another like your dad and Mr Boswell, Mr and Mrs Theissen. And your friends mom, for being a Den Mother...not an easy job that...keeping herd on a bunch of 8 year old boys...

They cut us no slack at all...guess because they were cut no slack...but look how we turned out! ! ! Theirs may have been the greatest generation, but ours was a close 2nd...and how we turned out is a tribute to our parents...our work ethic is 2nd to none, thanks to our fathers and mothers, and men like Mr Cotton, and Mr Tusa and the Mrs. Gails and Mrs Simpsons...yeah, they were tough on us, but baby, look at us now...

You gonna make it to Clays this year???? Or Fudds???? I am looking forward to seeing you sometime soon, and bring your guitar. You can lead, and I'm a good follower...

Wont be taking cooper to school this week, hurt my back...again...moving furniture and boxes...just dont know how to stop...tried hiring it done, but the idiots they send out couldnt find their asses with both hands...just waiting on them to get here yesterday, which they never did, I moved 3 of the pieces that I wanted them to move, from downstairs to upstairs...they show up this morn, and one guy is huge, and the other is the size of one of Snow Whites buddies...they tried to move stuff, till I couldnt stand watching them anymore, I sent em packin...

They couldnt work together, couldnt anticipate each others moves, which you have to do if your gonna be a professional mover...couldnt figure out that two items were too big to go up the stairs...after looking at the items, I determined they were just too big...not so with Laurel and Hardy, they wanted to give it a try anyway...you HAVE to know what WILL work, and especially what will NOT work...they didnt...

ok, time to go lay down, out of pain pills...guess I'll have to start drinking...

Thanks again BJ for the story on your father and mother and friends...tell us more! ! ! ! !

Your dad bring any pictures home from Tinian??? Maybe of he and some of his band of brothers???? Sure would like to see em...it's history, and I love history, especially since we and our families seem to be a goodly part of it...

10/08/12 09:21 PM

#5295

Teddie Jordan

Sorry to say Fran and I must miss Fudd's tomorrow night. We have a long standing date to keep our two youngest grandkids (Nicole's) tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Yall have a good time and we hope to see everyone at Clay's on the 20th.

Go Texans!

10/09/12 03:46 AM

#5296

Scotty Croom

we will miss tonight ,also...early sunset causes ...travel changes....but will see everyone at clays...

10/09/12 09:44 AM

#5297

Beau Wann, Jr.

Boo...gonna miss you, Teddie and Fran, and Scotty and Lola...One of lifes greatest pleasures for me, anticipating 2nd Tuesdays, and opening up Fudds doors and seeing Teddie and Fran and Scotty and Lola, Barbara, Jackie, and all the Jimmies, and Lynns, et al...Diane wont be there tonight because of a session meeting...probably gonna be just me...maybe I'll ride Pegasus...the weather is just wonderful...ok, gotta run...Big Oliver is sitting on the swing looking in my direction wonderin if I'm gonna come sit with him...heck yeah !!!

Doo something nice for yourselves...Christmas is right around the corner..."and jes fore Christmas, ahm as good as ah kin be"...EF...

10/10/12 01:12 PM

#5298