an evening sky filled with the beauty of God

 

Our grand-furs spent several nights with us when their parents went to PCB. They were such good kids, and really livened up our house. We had such a good time.

Their personalities are totally opposite. Jealous are both of them yet you can tell how protective they are of each other. Angel, the female black & white, was adopted on May 7, 2019. Romeo, the male jet black, was adopted October 30, 2019. Their bond has been amazing to watch.

 

Westgate Softball Complex

Dothan, Alabama

From softball playing to umpire officiating hubs was a part of this sport and this complex. He spent lots of week nights and weekends playing City League and tournament games. 

Hubs played and even began officiating a little. He enjoyed his time at the ballpark. Then, he made the choice to only officiate games. Hubs officiated league, district, state & national games. 

Dothan Softball. When you begin talking about the sport that was so popular years ago, you will hear three names...Tom Brightwell, Ray Sizemore & Johnny Middlebrooks.

Rhonda Kirk called Glenn last Tuesday and asked if he could meet her @ Westgate at 6PM. He did, and several other umpires were there as well. It was a surprise of sorts! 

From Row: Susan Summers, Eunice Knight, (xxx)

Back Row:  Dennis Cole, Larry Stinson, Allen Cole, Danny Carr,

Glenn, Jeff (xxx), Michael Gilley & Jimmy Young

These guys were honored with a marker for their Dothan Softball Umpire Association and in recognition for making Westgate Softball Complex GREAT!

Hubs & I went today to really take a look together. I am so proud of hubs and the contribution to the sport that was a large part of our life. Our son enjoyed going to the games too. I love this picture of G & his dad.

...and I love this Umpire!

Memories.....

Garrett & Bill Lisenby

Bill Coker...ASA Ump & Griller

First National Tournament

Invited to Officiate Team USA Practice Game

Glenn & Tami Morris

 Today as I was catching up on some blogs, I read this post from Jennifer Rothschild..."When Exile Seems to Have No Expiration Date".

I was captured by how much her words resonated with me for a season of my life.

For me.....

"My brain knew what death was, but my heart was unaware
that it was such a tearing and an emptying.
Even after a few months, I felt like
I was walking through fog.
It just felt thick, and like life
was in slow motion.
The grounding that came
from my dad's presence in my life
was suddenly gone--and
I felt insecure and lost without him.

My season of grief felt like exile."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...removed from the familiar, disenfranchised
from what made you feel secure, and
banished from the stability you once felt."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...even in exile, God is giving you a hope and a future.
He has plans for your welfare, even when it doesn't feel
well or fair. His plan isn't for your calamity. God's plans
are to bless and prosper you, not to harm you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...be patient with yourself,
be patient with others, and
 most importantly, be patient with God."

Your exile does have an ending."

~~~Jennifer Rothschild~~~

Thank you Lord for your Warrior Writers.

This picture was taken on Sunday, October 15 2017 of Glenn & his dad. We were spending time with him and celebrating his birthday. Papa had just moved into Somerset Assisted Living Facility on September 25th.

Today he is living at Extendicare Health & Rehabilitation Center

In March of this pandemic time of Covid-19 facilities of such closed their doors to family & friends on behalf of their residents for their safety. Recently we have been able to Google Duo him. On September 18th we were able to visit in-person with Papa at their outdoor gazebo. A tri-plexigas partition was around Papa as we sat in front of him. One other time we have visited.

Today we visited Papa on his birthday. He celebrated 95 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

~💕GDF~

      What a beautiful day to be outside!  

     Fall is my favorite season, and I love crisp, cool mornings. I love to sit outside on the patio and listen & watch. I also love getting my hands dirty as I work in the yard. And that is exactly what I did this morning. 

     Some mums needed planting in the yard, and I finally found a spot for them. Then a little weed pulling, plant shaping & straightening. What a wonderful time to thank God for His beauty and to receive joy 

     Hubs joined me soon, and we worked the back-corner spot in the backyard to clear out some ground cover. I kept thinking about that snake that shed his skin (about 16” long.) the other week in this very same area. Thankful I was the one working with the shovel.

This is Libby & me at GPS Airport September 1976. 

I was traveling to Dothan to officially meet Glenn’s parents. 

Libby & I were good friends at college, and had some wild & crazy moments. After college we began our journey of work life...she in South Carolina, and I in Alabama. Over the years I held close to my heart the memories of a fun-loving individual who allowed me a glimpse of her heart and the privilege of sharing life moments to create a wonderful, long-lasting friendship. 

It has been 43 years since we graduated from college.

In 2015 I planned a visit to my hometown. With great friendships along the way to Bville, I decided it was time to see these friends that I was so use to just remembering as I traveled through their area. My history with them...three Bville childhood gals & one college gal. I called one of them, and we made plans for my overnight stay. Introductions for one and a wonderful reunion for all of us. That evening was full of love & hugs and joy & laughter...tales of childhood and college days...it had been too long.

Not every time I traveled was I able to stop. Some trips were not just me alone but another passenger so these times were just a "holla" out as I drove thru their area.

Another visit in 2018 with a few nights to spend together.

Our visits whenever possible are just sweet, sweet times of being together and sharing the love we have for each other. Libby had mentioned to us her plans of retirement for September 2020. We would all be retired. With an invite to Dothan & PCB, talks of a vacay celebration were discussed.

Then came COVID.

Here we are...October 1st...Libby is retired...and Covid is still around. Our plans are put on hole. I have not traveled to SC since February but we have talked on the phone. It's just not the same. I can't hug them.

All I can say is...I can't wait for us to get together for our Retirement Celebration Reunion to celebrate US.