On a spring like day in March, when the weather was warm and the sky was blue and the chance of rain was unlikely, the LMU-DCOM (Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine) joined forces with the Claiborne County Animal Shelter to assemble a terrific benefit for the future of the animal shelter.
Charles Mitchell a DCOM medical student and the Doggy Dash Organizer helped raise more than $3200 dollars for the county animal shelter.
Sunday March 13th, the first annual Doggie Dash raised $800. This amount added to the previous $2400 that was donated from sponsors, t-shirt sales and registrants that is to be donated to the Claiborne Animal Shelter.
The race itself had over 150 runners that participated in the first ever 5K dash. Taking home first prize for the 5K was Maxwell Freytag a junior at Claiborne County High. The first place for the female category was awarded to Nicole Howe a resident of Knoxville.
The top prizes for male and female runners with a dog were: Michael Roessler, Chris Hoverer, Brittany Bemis and Caroline Chadwell.
The talent portion of the day, which included “best bark”, was awarded to Rebecca Hardman and her dog Porter.
The cutest pet contest was awarded to Chris Heberer and his pup Zip. The prize for “best trick” was given to Cassie Hudson and her 4 legged friend Ollie, and “best tail wag” went to Brandon Chappel and his dog CJ, while Adam McKenzie’s dog got the “best spirit” award,
Dr. Seaman a professor at the DCOM medical school believes, “ At root I hope it raises consciousness of the animal population in the county and those of us who care for our animals, and maybe come to realize there are a lot of animals that are in need.”
He goes on to explain that, “Animals are really living in awful situations in the county. Part of that is the link between animal welfare and child welfare in a given region. When animals are poorly cared for children tend to be not far behind. I’m not leveling acquisitions at that nature, just raising the consciousness; these furry guys are great friends,” he said while playing with his own furry friend Elvis. “ I just hate to see any living thing suffer, but I also worry about the welfare of the human population, if dogs and cats are allowed to range on there own. I mentioned to the county commissioners if we have fertile fields for animal born disease we could find ourselves in deep and serious trouble. That is not something we need to revisit, we know that historically that it can happen, so try to do the preventative measures and do diligence and make sure we are prepared as a community. Any living thing needs and deserves at lest some dignity and food and some care and love. I just hope this activity and activity like this raise consciousness in the county and strike a reasonable compromise for what is best for the county in terms of long-term legal health and public health and goodness for the animals that have to be served here.”
With the shelter being built by volunteers and constructed by volunteers with no cost to the county, and now that it stands as a structure the question is operating cost, and that would be true for any agency, “ The cost for annual basis will be far less then one bad legal cost for the county.” Seaman sad. “ The best defense is a good offence, to try and to prepare. This is a good start if we have this become an annual event.
Without an operating budget, the money raised on Sunday will benefit the cost of a spayed and neuter clinic in house. As of now an out of town clinic comes and helps, but the shelter hopes to one day have their own means to spayed and neuter pets.
“The outcome was wonderful, the number of dogs and the number of people were wonderful” Ann Shumate Chair of the Animal Shelter Board said. “They did the whole thing. The medical students put together the whole thing. One of these days we hope to get funding from our county, it is a community built animal shelter and one day they will see the need for it.”
People just don’t want to put the money toward it yet, but eventually they will with support like this and people showing how much animals mean to the people in the county, I am sure we will get support.”
The top male runner with his dog a golden retriever/border collie mix Michael Rossler said,” We lasted the entire time, and I love dogs, she (his dog) came from the humane society. It was a good cause and I enjoyed being here for this day.
Charles Mitchell a second year student at DCOM had visited several council meeting and wanted to get more going. “ Another student and I brainstormed one night and got whole bunch of other student organizations involved and rounded up the community to do a 5K as student that is our best fundraisers.” Mitchell said, “ it was student organized and volunteered but we put flyers out across the area and advertised on radio stations and billboards and most people that turned out were students and faculty, but we got a great turn out from the community as well.”
A major reason for this fundraiser was to raise awareness that the community is a community of animal lovers. That there is a large population that feel we need more support in humanly controlling that population.
As students, they are too busy to host more then one event but they hope to do more semi- annual events and that is to be determined.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Murder in the Gap
*Names are changed to protect the investigation that is on going and the facts are alleged facts from a source of anonymity
On a cloudy morning in late January, the owner of a local store in a small town in the southern tip of the Cumberland Mountains was found dead. "Harry" had been the owner of a local store that carried candy, ice cream and other items that a tourist would like, but that is not what his sign said on the outside of his store. The sign hanging outside the store read, Drugstore.
The area surrounding the town of Cumberland Gap is rural and poor. The rolling hills and jagged cliff faces leave no chance of industrialization in the area, for those who are fortunate enough to have a flat piece of land they farm it and work it, no one wastes land. The town of Cumberland Gap is small, it consist of 2 streets divided by 3 avenues making it look as if it has 6 blocks of living and businesses. It lies at the bottom of Pinnacle Point a mountain peak rising 2400 feet out of the earth to tower over the small town. The town is host to 203 residents falling from 204 residents in the 2000 census. A small town that is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia and is patrolled by forest rangers due to the fact that it is located in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park-it was handed down its first murder.
"Harry" who had ran the small store was beloved by everyone that new him. He was approachable and kind to all who passed through his store. Though what sparked someone to do such a treacherous thing as to murder him? His wife walked into the store just around noon, to find him lying in a pool of blood. He had been beat severely, nothing missing except his wallet. The object used to send him to meet his maker was the rugged edge of a nail pry bar.
Just moments before the 9-1-1 call to the Claiborne County Sheriffs Department a prior call was made to 9-1-1 from the Cumberland Gap reporting a suspicious man wondering the streets in blood covered cloths. Non stopped the gentleman to find out if he needed help, people just locked the doors and hid instead of approaching someone that could have possibly been the suspect or a person of interest that the investigators have been looking for.
The first person picked up and questioned by officials was a man seen leaving the store earlier that day. The man was someone "Harry" had been interested in doing business with. The gentleman made trunks that looked like antique treasures. He had visited "Harry" earlier that day to work out details on how many trunks needed to be set aside for "Harry" to sell. After 24 hours of being held at the Claiborne County Justice Center he was released. Since he was obviously not the suspect then who was?
The days following the murder, the widow to the deceased became a person of interest. She was not approached, she knew nothing of becoming a suspect. What she did know is that "Harry" had opened a new bank account with out her name on the account, and that he had deposited a large sum of money into the account unaware that his wife suspected anything. Without any knowledge of becoming a suspect, her telephone became taped by officials and she has remained under surveillance until another person of interest became the target for officials.
Two weeks into the investigation, the phone records of the Drug Store pointed Tennessee Bureau of Investigations to an illegal immigrant with a long rap sheet who had been in contact with "Harry" around the time of his murder. The man had offered Harry a small amount of cash for a boat motor that "Harry" had fixed to sell. The man had been working 60 miles south of the Cumberland Gap in Knoxville on a tree trimming crew. Upon further investigation the mans alibi had proved he could not be the person the investigators were looking for. So now there is a dead end with the exception of the wife being under scrutiny.
"Captain Jimmy Buttercup" has been quoted saying," We are following every lead possible, we have officers patrolling the area constantly, talking to community members and we are evaluating every piece of evidence until we reach a conclusion." This the investigators are doing, but how can it be that a business man can be brutally murdered in a small town, having another store next door as a neighbor and no one heard or saw anything.
Claiborne County Sheriff "Danny" Ray has been acquainted with the victim for most of his life, "I went to school with him and worked as a tour guide at Cudjo’s Cave,” Ray said, “He was genuinely a good man who did not deserve this.” Ray also promised the mayor of Cumberland Gap and the people of this for now ghost town that he would do everything possible to bring justice to this town.
Sheriff Ray believes that someone passing through the small town noticed the sign hanging outside the store and believed it was a real pharmacy.“If people are not familiar with the area, they most likely think that it is a drug store,” he said.
A month following the murder, the investigators get a break in the case. A man traveling from Florida to Pennsylvania gained some attention when he allegedly made some disturbing comments about a murder to a man towing his truck from the Chattanooga area to Cumberland Gap. The wrecker driver called the sheriff department upon arrival to the Gap. "Britt Jones",43, of Pennsylvania was travelling from Florida to Pennsylvania when he had truck problems. He was driving a Ford. " Several comments the man said have been suspicious," Ray said,"We are holding him until we get some answers."
Upon his arrival to Claiborne County, the sheriffs department obtained a search warrant from the Eighth Judicial Task Force to search his vehicle.
"He refused to let anyone from the towing company look inside the truck or even get in it," Ray said.
The number that called the location of the tow was also seen in some phone records that were being investigated.
Though no one has been arrested, the case is remaining a breathing tumor to the small town of Cumberland Gap. Nothing like this could be imagined by the citizens of this small town, nor could something like this be forgotten until justice is served for the community.
On a cloudy morning in late January, the owner of a local store in a small town in the southern tip of the Cumberland Mountains was found dead. "Harry" had been the owner of a local store that carried candy, ice cream and other items that a tourist would like, but that is not what his sign said on the outside of his store. The sign hanging outside the store read, Drugstore.
The area surrounding the town of Cumberland Gap is rural and poor. The rolling hills and jagged cliff faces leave no chance of industrialization in the area, for those who are fortunate enough to have a flat piece of land they farm it and work it, no one wastes land. The town of Cumberland Gap is small, it consist of 2 streets divided by 3 avenues making it look as if it has 6 blocks of living and businesses. It lies at the bottom of Pinnacle Point a mountain peak rising 2400 feet out of the earth to tower over the small town. The town is host to 203 residents falling from 204 residents in the 2000 census. A small town that is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia and is patrolled by forest rangers due to the fact that it is located in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park-it was handed down its first murder.
"Harry" who had ran the small store was beloved by everyone that new him. He was approachable and kind to all who passed through his store. Though what sparked someone to do such a treacherous thing as to murder him? His wife walked into the store just around noon, to find him lying in a pool of blood. He had been beat severely, nothing missing except his wallet. The object used to send him to meet his maker was the rugged edge of a nail pry bar.
Just moments before the 9-1-1 call to the Claiborne County Sheriffs Department a prior call was made to 9-1-1 from the Cumberland Gap reporting a suspicious man wondering the streets in blood covered cloths. Non stopped the gentleman to find out if he needed help, people just locked the doors and hid instead of approaching someone that could have possibly been the suspect or a person of interest that the investigators have been looking for.
The first person picked up and questioned by officials was a man seen leaving the store earlier that day. The man was someone "Harry" had been interested in doing business with. The gentleman made trunks that looked like antique treasures. He had visited "Harry" earlier that day to work out details on how many trunks needed to be set aside for "Harry" to sell. After 24 hours of being held at the Claiborne County Justice Center he was released. Since he was obviously not the suspect then who was?
The days following the murder, the widow to the deceased became a person of interest. She was not approached, she knew nothing of becoming a suspect. What she did know is that "Harry" had opened a new bank account with out her name on the account, and that he had deposited a large sum of money into the account unaware that his wife suspected anything. Without any knowledge of becoming a suspect, her telephone became taped by officials and she has remained under surveillance until another person of interest became the target for officials.
Two weeks into the investigation, the phone records of the Drug Store pointed Tennessee Bureau of Investigations to an illegal immigrant with a long rap sheet who had been in contact with "Harry" around the time of his murder. The man had offered Harry a small amount of cash for a boat motor that "Harry" had fixed to sell. The man had been working 60 miles south of the Cumberland Gap in Knoxville on a tree trimming crew. Upon further investigation the mans alibi had proved he could not be the person the investigators were looking for. So now there is a dead end with the exception of the wife being under scrutiny.
"Captain Jimmy Buttercup" has been quoted saying," We are following every lead possible, we have officers patrolling the area constantly, talking to community members and we are evaluating every piece of evidence until we reach a conclusion." This the investigators are doing, but how can it be that a business man can be brutally murdered in a small town, having another store next door as a neighbor and no one heard or saw anything.
Claiborne County Sheriff "Danny" Ray has been acquainted with the victim for most of his life, "I went to school with him and worked as a tour guide at Cudjo’s Cave,” Ray said, “He was genuinely a good man who did not deserve this.” Ray also promised the mayor of Cumberland Gap and the people of this for now ghost town that he would do everything possible to bring justice to this town.
Sheriff Ray believes that someone passing through the small town noticed the sign hanging outside the store and believed it was a real pharmacy.“If people are not familiar with the area, they most likely think that it is a drug store,” he said.
A month following the murder, the investigators get a break in the case. A man traveling from Florida to Pennsylvania gained some attention when he allegedly made some disturbing comments about a murder to a man towing his truck from the Chattanooga area to Cumberland Gap. The wrecker driver called the sheriff department upon arrival to the Gap. "Britt Jones",43, of Pennsylvania was travelling from Florida to Pennsylvania when he had truck problems. He was driving a Ford. " Several comments the man said have been suspicious," Ray said,"We are holding him until we get some answers."
Upon his arrival to Claiborne County, the sheriffs department obtained a search warrant from the Eighth Judicial Task Force to search his vehicle.
"He refused to let anyone from the towing company look inside the truck or even get in it," Ray said.
The number that called the location of the tow was also seen in some phone records that were being investigated.
Though no one has been arrested, the case is remaining a breathing tumor to the small town of Cumberland Gap. Nothing like this could be imagined by the citizens of this small town, nor could something like this be forgotten until justice is served for the community.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Finding Myself After Having Two Kids
Mark Twain once wrote, " Drag your thoughts away from your troubles. . . by the ear, by the heels or any other way you can manage it." With two kids I seem to find myself consumed in my responsibilities and seem to never break free to reacess the situation. How do I find time to re-define how things are being played out? How do I return to my former life? Not the college guy that liked to have too much fun, but the one fascinated by life itself?
As a child I noticed the clouds, I would notice the way seasons would change to the next, I almost felt in tune with what the earth felt or what it wanted me to feel. I have since lost that natural stimulant but I feel I am on my way to being cured of the blindness I have of life and being able to live once again.
Sunday morning I awoke to a high sun, blue skies and the hope of spring. I quickly sprung out of bed, I filled the house with the aroma of fresh coffee, opened all of the blinds and began. I had the fever, spring! It was a cool 34 degrees outside but would quickly come to the temperature desired. Not a set temperature but that to which is enjoyable to be outside. I had breakfast fixed for the Princess of the Mountain as she swaggered through the house, thumb in mouth, blankie under one are and a death grip on bun-bun. With the dishes racked only one thing to do, sack lunches, water bottles and a pack. I had the backpack packed for two with extra cloths and shoes. It doesn't take much to get the Princes ready, just to mention outside and she is ready to go.
As we pulled away from the house with the radio on, the song coming through would be a sign that a good day was upon me. With the Marshall Tucker Band starting our adventure off, the drive to the Cumberland Falls located in Corbin, Kentucky, would be one of the best Sunday morning drives I have had in some time since becoming a father. The snow was still seen in the shade of the mountains the hawks were appearing in the blue sky and my company was that of a inquisitive 4 year old. Around every twist in the road was a new river carving its way through the Appalachians only for the sides to be connected by steel. Along with new bridges came questions and answers with my co-pilot, "What's this river daddy?" she would ask, "Cumberland River" I would respond. She did not like the fact that one river could be crossed so many times and still not get to the other side. Princess didn't like the fact that new adventures were not guaranteed to be an easy discovery. We missed several of our turns and having to find places to turn around were not without being questioned about my ability to find where our destination lie. " Why are you going back the other way?" she would respond followed quickly by "Are we lost?" After 45 minutes of driving and relaxing to the sun warming the car and playing question and answer we saw the sign that read, " Daniel Boone National Forest" we had arrived.
Upon our arrival at the falls, we quickly made a check of all that we needed. Food, check. Change of cloths, check. Camera, check. Smiles, check! We were ready, we had everything we needed for our outing all we needed was to find the waterfall I had promised Princess. It wasn't hard to find, the sound of thunder filled the canyon giving the spring like day a relaxing volume of noise to enjoy.
With a quick stop by the visitor center for a map, we were off to explore the beautiful mountains that were lined with towering sycamores broken up by shades of green coming from the declining hemlocks and the stretching of rhododendrons almost appearing to be reaching for the sky. Being careful not to slip on ice covered steps, we made our way down to the beach at the bottom of the falls. The beach itself was what was left of a once popular area destination, with rebar and concrete pilings crumbled by time of what used to be concessions for tourist. Sandy beach is now lined with trees fallen and rooted, some almost to grow twisting with the currents of the water. After exploring the beach the Princess was hungry for her peanut butter and jelly.
After stopping to have lunch it was time to continue down the once beaten path that is now covered in snow and fallen timber. The trail climbed its way up the gorge and to the lip of the canyon. Along the path we encountered over hangs appearing as jail cells and ice cycles hanging from trees on the shady side of the mountain. Upon arriving at the peak it was the holy grail for a 4 year old, a playground.
The playground was a hit seeing how the Princess wasn't fascinated by the waterfall. The Princess had conquered the mountain, she reached the top without the help of my back or the arms that were already holding her treasures she found on the adventure. The good news being we were half way around the loop of the day hike, now to descend back down to the falls and the coveted gift shop that had "Special" candy according to the Princess.
We made it back down the mountain, though the last half mile was with the help of daddy's back. We took one last look at the magnificent Cumberland Falls, a natural wonder in its on right. It posses the ability to form a rainbow over the canyon at night only during a peak full moon. It is the bow is known as the moonbow, one of only two places in the hemisphere this phenomenon takes place. After saying good by to the falls, and purchasing "Special" candy from the gift shop, we decided to beat the sunset home.
As earlier, my sense of direction led us different ways, but never getting lost. I decided to take the path less traveled and enjoy the southern country side of the Appalachians. The sun was in my rear view and I was at peace with the day. It left no disappointments and my Princess was all smiles. I was comfortable for the first time in a long time. I gave no thought to my worries nor did anything seem to be as bad as I once thought or assumed they were. I completed a hike with my one love and it felt good. I noticed the clouds again, the smell of fresh air the dried up leaf of the Big Leaf Magnolia and the tiny pieces of moss growing in the cracks of the crags. I felt in tune with mother nature and renewed with life. I felt alive, like I found my space again in this world, but more importantly I was able to drag my thoughts away from my troubles when I saw the same awe inspiring look I once had in the face of my daughter.
As a child I noticed the clouds, I would notice the way seasons would change to the next, I almost felt in tune with what the earth felt or what it wanted me to feel. I have since lost that natural stimulant but I feel I am on my way to being cured of the blindness I have of life and being able to live once again.
Sunday morning I awoke to a high sun, blue skies and the hope of spring. I quickly sprung out of bed, I filled the house with the aroma of fresh coffee, opened all of the blinds and began. I had the fever, spring! It was a cool 34 degrees outside but would quickly come to the temperature desired. Not a set temperature but that to which is enjoyable to be outside. I had breakfast fixed for the Princess of the Mountain as she swaggered through the house, thumb in mouth, blankie under one are and a death grip on bun-bun. With the dishes racked only one thing to do, sack lunches, water bottles and a pack. I had the backpack packed for two with extra cloths and shoes. It doesn't take much to get the Princes ready, just to mention outside and she is ready to go.
As we pulled away from the house with the radio on, the song coming through would be a sign that a good day was upon me. With the Marshall Tucker Band starting our adventure off, the drive to the Cumberland Falls located in Corbin, Kentucky, would be one of the best Sunday morning drives I have had in some time since becoming a father. The snow was still seen in the shade of the mountains the hawks were appearing in the blue sky and my company was that of a inquisitive 4 year old. Around every twist in the road was a new river carving its way through the Appalachians only for the sides to be connected by steel. Along with new bridges came questions and answers with my co-pilot, "What's this river daddy?" she would ask, "Cumberland River" I would respond. She did not like the fact that one river could be crossed so many times and still not get to the other side. Princess didn't like the fact that new adventures were not guaranteed to be an easy discovery. We missed several of our turns and having to find places to turn around were not without being questioned about my ability to find where our destination lie. " Why are you going back the other way?" she would respond followed quickly by "Are we lost?" After 45 minutes of driving and relaxing to the sun warming the car and playing question and answer we saw the sign that read, " Daniel Boone National Forest" we had arrived.
Upon our arrival at the falls, we quickly made a check of all that we needed. Food, check. Change of cloths, check. Camera, check. Smiles, check! We were ready, we had everything we needed for our outing all we needed was to find the waterfall I had promised Princess. It wasn't hard to find, the sound of thunder filled the canyon giving the spring like day a relaxing volume of noise to enjoy.
With a quick stop by the visitor center for a map, we were off to explore the beautiful mountains that were lined with towering sycamores broken up by shades of green coming from the declining hemlocks and the stretching of rhododendrons almost appearing to be reaching for the sky. Being careful not to slip on ice covered steps, we made our way down to the beach at the bottom of the falls. The beach itself was what was left of a once popular area destination, with rebar and concrete pilings crumbled by time of what used to be concessions for tourist. Sandy beach is now lined with trees fallen and rooted, some almost to grow twisting with the currents of the water. After exploring the beach the Princess was hungry for her peanut butter and jelly.
After stopping to have lunch it was time to continue down the once beaten path that is now covered in snow and fallen timber. The trail climbed its way up the gorge and to the lip of the canyon. Along the path we encountered over hangs appearing as jail cells and ice cycles hanging from trees on the shady side of the mountain. Upon arriving at the peak it was the holy grail for a 4 year old, a playground.
The playground was a hit seeing how the Princess wasn't fascinated by the waterfall. The Princess had conquered the mountain, she reached the top without the help of my back or the arms that were already holding her treasures she found on the adventure. The good news being we were half way around the loop of the day hike, now to descend back down to the falls and the coveted gift shop that had "Special" candy according to the Princess.
We made it back down the mountain, though the last half mile was with the help of daddy's back. We took one last look at the magnificent Cumberland Falls, a natural wonder in its on right. It posses the ability to form a rainbow over the canyon at night only during a peak full moon. It is the bow is known as the moonbow, one of only two places in the hemisphere this phenomenon takes place. After saying good by to the falls, and purchasing "Special" candy from the gift shop, we decided to beat the sunset home.
As earlier, my sense of direction led us different ways, but never getting lost. I decided to take the path less traveled and enjoy the southern country side of the Appalachians. The sun was in my rear view and I was at peace with the day. It left no disappointments and my Princess was all smiles. I was comfortable for the first time in a long time. I gave no thought to my worries nor did anything seem to be as bad as I once thought or assumed they were. I completed a hike with my one love and it felt good. I noticed the clouds again, the smell of fresh air the dried up leaf of the Big Leaf Magnolia and the tiny pieces of moss growing in the cracks of the crags. I felt in tune with mother nature and renewed with life. I felt alive, like I found my space again in this world, but more importantly I was able to drag my thoughts away from my troubles when I saw the same awe inspiring look I once had in the face of my daughter.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Are Biblical practices safe for everyone?
NOTE: I did not use the names of the family out of respect.
I recently had a friend who had her grandmother pass away. We have all lost someone close to us at some point in life, but if you haven't then expect to at some point. The elderly woman was last seen by a neighbor walking to her mail box Wednesday afternoon, later that evening the snow began to fall. The snow lasted all through the night and the temperature was well below freezing.
It is known that the woman suffered from dementia, she was born in the mid 1920's and I am sure she lived a long and wonderful life. I have never met the lady, but her loving granddaughter is a wonderful spirit to know and has befriended me in my time here in the Cumberland Mountains. My friend just took a trip out west to Texas, and she being a part of a tight nit family took her grandmother. That is a 980 mile trip. That is love. From what I gather, they took their time and enjoyed themselves by stopping and looking around towns and even making an appearance at Graceland. The trip I believe lasted only two weeks, but for someone in their 80's probably felt like a life time.
I have a grandmother born in the same decade, I do not know the real age of my grandmother but she swears she is only 79. Though she has been 79 for some years now. Dot-Dot, my grandmother as she is known to us children had been alone for the better part of her life. She was married once, but lost her husband in a tragic boating accident. She briefly remarried once after, though I don't think that went so well seeing how I only know through pilfering through her belongings kept stashed in her closet. It has never been mentioned so I don't ask.
Hot-Dot as I call her dedicated her life to raising her children and grandchildren. She had ample opportunity to re marry if she would have been interested, but she chose to be alone. She mocked at the idea of having another companion, " I don't think I would know what to do if I met another man." she would say. Needless to say, I being the youngest of the grand kids have brought up the rear and graduated college, got married, had kids and see her at least once every week or every other week. So now that there are no more kids to worry about, guess what she did for her self - got a man!
Dot-Dot started seeing Robert a few years ago after they met at lunch one Sunday afternoon. It did not take long for my grandmother to forget about her grand kids or her girl friends, she got herself a man. You could never find her, she was never at home, nor here nor there, just always with Robert. Her home had become like many young people who fall in love, a place to keep her things and sleep at night. She began staying out all day with Robert then coming home and going to bed, just like a teenager. It was sweet to see her act like a school age girl with a crush. She had a new life
After a few years of dating, they moved in with one another. My grandmother left the house my parents gave her, left the yard I designed for her full of blooming wonders around each corner for a new found love. I understand why, all of the other grand kids understand why, but her children not so much. Sure she has been single for most of her adult life, she married as a teenager and widowed before she could bat an eye. She has been retired for sometime now and her checks she receives from the government keep getting smaller and smaller for one to survive on. With her moving in with her man, they could survive the dwindling economy they are forced to deal with, again. Her children see it as two people not married.
Marriage from what I can gather in my short 30 years is a life long commitment. At what age should "Christians" quit judging those who live together without being married. According to 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, one should marry if they can not resist the temptation of immorality. At what point can two people well past the prime of the temptation of immorality not live together? I am for one relieved that my grandmother doesn't live alone.
The elderly woman who passed away lived alone. Living alone is not always bad, but when you look at the odds of it when you are in your 80's the odds are in Gods hand. On Thursday just before noon, county officers dusted the snow off of her frozen body and identified the body. Allegedly, she was found lying next to a straw trailer in the neighbors field frozen in memories.
I recently had a friend who had her grandmother pass away. We have all lost someone close to us at some point in life, but if you haven't then expect to at some point. The elderly woman was last seen by a neighbor walking to her mail box Wednesday afternoon, later that evening the snow began to fall. The snow lasted all through the night and the temperature was well below freezing.
It is known that the woman suffered from dementia, she was born in the mid 1920's and I am sure she lived a long and wonderful life. I have never met the lady, but her loving granddaughter is a wonderful spirit to know and has befriended me in my time here in the Cumberland Mountains. My friend just took a trip out west to Texas, and she being a part of a tight nit family took her grandmother. That is a 980 mile trip. That is love. From what I gather, they took their time and enjoyed themselves by stopping and looking around towns and even making an appearance at Graceland. The trip I believe lasted only two weeks, but for someone in their 80's probably felt like a life time.
I have a grandmother born in the same decade, I do not know the real age of my grandmother but she swears she is only 79. Though she has been 79 for some years now. Dot-Dot, my grandmother as she is known to us children had been alone for the better part of her life. She was married once, but lost her husband in a tragic boating accident. She briefly remarried once after, though I don't think that went so well seeing how I only know through pilfering through her belongings kept stashed in her closet. It has never been mentioned so I don't ask.
Hot-Dot as I call her dedicated her life to raising her children and grandchildren. She had ample opportunity to re marry if she would have been interested, but she chose to be alone. She mocked at the idea of having another companion, " I don't think I would know what to do if I met another man." she would say. Needless to say, I being the youngest of the grand kids have brought up the rear and graduated college, got married, had kids and see her at least once every week or every other week. So now that there are no more kids to worry about, guess what she did for her self - got a man!
Dot-Dot started seeing Robert a few years ago after they met at lunch one Sunday afternoon. It did not take long for my grandmother to forget about her grand kids or her girl friends, she got herself a man. You could never find her, she was never at home, nor here nor there, just always with Robert. Her home had become like many young people who fall in love, a place to keep her things and sleep at night. She began staying out all day with Robert then coming home and going to bed, just like a teenager. It was sweet to see her act like a school age girl with a crush. She had a new life
After a few years of dating, they moved in with one another. My grandmother left the house my parents gave her, left the yard I designed for her full of blooming wonders around each corner for a new found love. I understand why, all of the other grand kids understand why, but her children not so much. Sure she has been single for most of her adult life, she married as a teenager and widowed before she could bat an eye. She has been retired for sometime now and her checks she receives from the government keep getting smaller and smaller for one to survive on. With her moving in with her man, they could survive the dwindling economy they are forced to deal with, again. Her children see it as two people not married.
Marriage from what I can gather in my short 30 years is a life long commitment. At what age should "Christians" quit judging those who live together without being married. According to 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, one should marry if they can not resist the temptation of immorality. At what point can two people well past the prime of the temptation of immorality not live together? I am for one relieved that my grandmother doesn't live alone.
The elderly woman who passed away lived alone. Living alone is not always bad, but when you look at the odds of it when you are in your 80's the odds are in Gods hand. On Thursday just before noon, county officers dusted the snow off of her frozen body and identified the body. Allegedly, she was found lying next to a straw trailer in the neighbors field frozen in memories.
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