"Nevertheless"

  In response to the question: “Who was your childhood hero?” My brother. Greg. He developed polio when he was about 6 months old. He had to have surgeries, wear a brace and eventually a shoe that was built up to make up the difference in his legs. He began having seizures when he was about 13/14. But he was such a fighter. He never let his disability bring him down. Funny. I never thought of him as being disabled. He couldn't play organized sports but he was always riding his bike, flying kites, playing a spontaneous game of football or catch. He taught himself how to play the guitar and he was fantastically good on it. It was a passion for him. Wherever we lived (we were an Army family) he organized a band and was constantly playing. He turned everyone he met into a friend. He loved to read and introduced me to everything from Marvel comic books to Tolkien. He graduated from college and was just beginning to start a career when he passed away at the age of 24. He gave me s...

  Long Story Short Mom always began every tale with "long story short". If you knew her, you probably just inwardly groaned or rolled your eyes, because you have experienced her so-called "short" stories. But I will try to keep it bearable. Mom grew up here in New Boston. One of thirteen children, she attended New Boston schools and churches and was baptized in a local creek. She fell in love and hit the road to Ft. Chaffee Arkansas where Dad was waiting for her with open arms. They were married by an Army chaplain in a chapel on the base. She was the tender age of 16, but she was quick to say that she was ALMOST the ripe old age of 17 if one of us girls should mention how young she was when she married. It wasn't long before they started our family even though Mom wasn't too sure how all that came about. One thing about our mother, she was always a lady. Being a military spouse, she had unknowingly signed up for a life of adventures. Without co...