Last week, we celebrated the career of local mail delivery lady, Kay McKee. Along her mail route, grateful customers and friends showed their appreciation by decorating their mailboxes and left gifts of appreciation. The post office department states the mail will continue, but no one can replace this awesome lady. First and foremost, her Christian love and work ethic make her a standout among people. She doesn’t just deliver the mail. Back in the 1970’s when I was still living in the Dallas area, I received a card from this precious woman reminding me that I was special, and the community would be blessed when I finally was able to move. I cherish that memory. I guarantee this community is ripe with stories of the love and kindness they have received from this wonderful Christian woman.
But for the illness of her husband Gerald, I doubt she would have retired. She loves her job and the people she serves. I wish her the very best as she walks this new path. God bless her and Gerald as they fight through this cancer diagnosis.
For those of you who missed the Mary Kate Adams memorial service, I’m sorry. It was touching and delightful. Although we didn’t plan it, the community choir members all sat in a small section. Once the singing began, the harmony coming from the little section at the back was sure to have blessed Mary Kate in heaven. They picked several songs that are my all-time favorites. God had a hand in that service.
Mary Kate was a staunch Christian. Pastor Slaymaker read the “real” obituary for her. His enjoyment of Mary Kate was obvious in his reading. Longtime friend and singer, David Harrison, gave a touching rendition of “It is Well,” one of Mary Kate’s favorite hymns.
Dr. Tingle called her a stump. He told a story about his first tractor as a city guy turned country boy. He put his big tractor in high gear to tear up a big stump. Needless to say, the stump stayed. A local farmer told him he would need to dig that one out because the roots ran deep. That was Dr. Tingle’s assessment of Mary Kate: the roots ran deep and stayed anchored in her precious Jesus. Mary Kate Adams is making a different kind of music now, and she has earned the title “faithful servant.”
The teachers have received their invitation to the first day of school. Monday morning, I will have to make the change from leisure to work. Mr. Womack has full days planned for us. They will be capped by the Thursday evening Meet the Teachers meeting. All parents, grandparents, and community curious are welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday morning, it’s student time. Welcome to the 2021- 2022 school year. New changes are in the air. Mrs. Wyatt has moved her office to the one across the hall. Please remember school supplies have already been purchased, and meals are free this year. I know some kids like to bring their own stuff. To express their personality, I will let students bring a notebook for writing that suits their thoughts. We may need strange things for science during the year. I really need some Alka Seltzer for experiments if anyone is shopping.
The Shannon family will be preparing for a second event. Tiny Shannon lost his battle with cancer; his services will be this week. This has been a long and exhausting battle. His loved ones have fought alongside him. I pray that God will give them comfort and rest. Tiny is safe in the arms of his Savior. Henry Reeves passed away on Saturday. Funeral services have not yet been set as of this writing.
I am being blessed with a beautiful rain shower as I sit here at the computer. We have had a marvelous summer. Saturday was the first day my car registered 100 degrees. I have never witnessed a July without multiple 100-degree days. I am thankful. Now, if I could do something about these wretched grasshoppers who love to eat my roses and anything else besides weeds, I would be happier.
Rejoice everyone, school is about to start, and we will work hard this year to make up the rest of the covid learning gap. I’ve said it before: I wish all my students had passed the tests. But we improved beyond my expectations, and that makes me delighted. I’m confident we can catch up even more this school year.
I had company, so I did not make the rodeo this year. I can see from the photos on Facebook that it was another successful event. Our Richland kids are great competitors. I was taking delivery of my new/used golf cart. It’s a beauty. My son, Shane, and his wife, Earnie, are moving to Costa Rica, and I get to keep all manner of good things. I hope we have a Christmas parade. I will decorate my new cart and ride in the parade. Naturally, anything my son sends my way is fast. Apparently, this cart can reach speeds of 22 mph. I could drive this to school in a pinch. I am looking forward to riding around in this fancy new cart.
I just realized that I almost missed the Sunday prayer walk for the school. Dee and Larry Crump initiate this every year. This year Mr. Womack started us out, Bro. Slaymaker opened us in prayer, and then we scattered and prayed for individual classrooms and the school. Many thanks to the people who showed up to pray. Our students and teachers are important. While you are in a praying mood, please pray for Vera Ralston. She has yet to find a doctor who can alleviate her pain.
George and Donna Hill are in poor health. Gerald McKee just returned from Houston where he received another chemo treatment. We have a few more weeks before we find out how my son-in-law’s cancer is doing. He is through with radiation for now. Danny Phillips still needs prayers. Caden Elkins stepped on a nail while mowing and ended up with a nasty infection. Bro. Mack is headed for his two weeks of reserve training. We are praying for strength to survive the rigor of those two weeks. Please hold our country, president, congressional members, and security personnel in your prayers. I am so tired of the misinformation we receive from our national media. A free press is key to our type of government. Without a free press that honestly reports material, we will lose our freedoms. Pray for all our media. We truly need to pray for the return of law and order in our country. Most of all pray for our precious troops and their families. We have a new member of the Marines. James Carlisle will represent our community as one of the few, the proud. Have a great week everyone.