What our family experienced in the last week made me realize more what family is all about.
I couldn’t believe the turnout for Cousin Don Moody’s viewing, funeral, and burial. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a funeral of this magnitude.
He was so loved by many, not just by family but by his former work associates, his fellow horse lovers, and his many friends.
It made me realize more about life. I remember going to Grandpa and Grandma Moody’s house every Sunday for lunch, and we cousins grew up basically like siblings. Oh, the stories that could be told.
However, as time went on, those gatherings ended because the individual families started growing themselves.
After a while, we would start the family reunions and those were also fun…a great time to catch up on one another’s activities and experiences to see their growing families.
That came to a halt, though, after the top ones on the family tree left this world.
However, it was decided by our aunt, Gail Moody, that we would have another reunion and it happened last year.
I don’t know if those will continue, but it would be welcomed if they did. It was a great time.
This was only Dad’s side of the family. We have many more on Mom’s side of the family, as she had eight siblings.
I wish we would have had more time with our loved ones before they passed away. If only we could predict the future.
My hope is that everyone’s health improves and that all are careful in their daily routines as time goes on.
I may not say it aloud, but I want to let my relatives know that I do love them before it’s too late.
My siblings and I were blessed to make our way into this family. They’re all missed. And, if I had the room and time, I would list all of them here.
Maybe some other time.
Until then, good luck in your future, cousins. Stay safe and live the good life.
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Tom Stone, Jason Stucke, Margaret Hart, and Albert “Buck” Sheets.
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Please pray for these people: (Cousin) Carol Byrd, Kinley Bernard, Kathy Burke, Gladys Neff, Kara Didier, Dave and Ginny Reese (of Hopewell, Pa.), Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Katie West, Bridget Brown, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Chris Clark, Kyle Kaiser, Tina Ruble Ullery, Cindy Lovejoy, Janet Kammer, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Phyllis Brumbaugh, Sonny Custer, Judy Collins, Linda Gasper, Carol Hemmerich, Stephanie Klingshirn, Alice Knick, Brenda Schlechty, Betty Burnfield, Dan Lockhart, Roberta Hall, Pam Norman-Penticuff, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Larry Linder, Steve Waymire, Jamie Knick, Nikole Baldridge, Chester Bryant, Lester Beisner, Delores Beisner, Kermit Foureman, Chuck “C.W.” Cruze, Mark Lovejoy.
Also, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Ralph Byrd, Doug Winger, Sonja and Dan Coppess, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Tracy Pratt, John Rimmer, Joan Keen, Larry P. Fitzwater, Jim Thomas, Neal Gray, Judie Hathaway, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Becky Everhart, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling, Scott Clark, and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:
March 15 to Sueann Puckett, Roxann Grant, Gary Kunk Jr., Carol Williams, and Marlene Dirksen.
March 16 to Jesse Peters, Debbie Mayse, Angie Widener, and Lisa Heck.
March 17 to Chester Pouder (96), Jerri Dispenette, Ty Thwaits, and John Jenkins Sr.
March 18 to Lexi Wardrip, Lynette Trent, Kathy Magoto Monnin, Kelly Brown, Farah Grewe, Doug Wright, Cheryl Wombolt, Jane Gantt, Hannah Linebaugh, Cole Litten and Jared Fritz.
March 19 to Nichole Dickey, Jennifer Schricker, Mary Striegel Knick, James Ward, Judy Thornhill and Cheyenne Archey.
March 20 to Amanda Wagner, Craig Francis, Jerilyn Kiser, and Carmen Claywell.
March 21 to Richard Lucas, Fonda Newbauer, Craig Wagner, Shalee Cross, Lonnie Mayse, Kent Elleman and Connie Sewell.
Happy anniversary to Tom and Becky Everhart on March 16 and Gene and Amy Maher on March 19.
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