2001 - Proud Aunt

When Bryce was about six weeks old, we went to visit Karen at her apartment in Greenville.

As my due date approached, Karen "nested" more than I did.  She would call and tell me what she was cleaning or organizing.  I was probably sitting down reading or cross-stitching. As soon as we called to let her know we were on the way to the hospital, she was already packed and on the way.  She almost even beat us to the hospital.  Well, maybe not exactly, but it was close.  She stayed with us during labor along with our friend who is a doula.  Karen kept the family informed of progress for hours and hours.  Her help and support of me was invaluable.  She became aunt to Bryce Thomas.  During the pregnancy ultrasound, we did not find out if we were having a boy or a girl.  So, Karen bought a coming home outfit for each.  Silly girl!  She was so excited.  After Bryce was born and everyone left, she stayed at the hospital to help get us settled.  Needless to say, Newman was exhausted and kept falling asleep.  I must have been running off of adrenaline and talked and talked and talked.  And bless Karen who was just as exhausted as Newman, she listened to me.  Then, she drove back to Roxboro.  She says she has no idea how she got back home.  What a sister and what an aunt!

Along with working full time, Karen attained another goal in her life in December.  She graduated from ECU with a Master of Arts in Education - Low Incidence Disabilities.  We were able to attend her graduation.  Another proud moment for us all.

 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Ps. 37:4

"My son, eat honey, for it is good,

    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

¹⁴ Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

    if you find it, there will be a future,

    and your hope will not be cut off." Prov. 24:13-14

2000 - Sisters

Christmas 2000 - Looks like we've gotten too old to sit on the floor.

Earlier this year, I visited with Karen in Greenville.  When I came home, I remember telling Newman that we had nothing in common.  We out to dinner, and we had nothing to talk about.  We had the kind of awkward silence that is very loud.  Thankfully, as time progressed, God began drawing Karen back to Himself.  Her focus in life changed. She started attending a church.  She was involved in their Singles Ministry as well as Music Ministry.  In those recent years, God had been changing my heart, too.  As our relationships with God deepened, our relationship with each grew as well.  We were finally sisters again.  But even more important - sisters by the blood of Jesus, seeking to follow Him and His will.  We talked on the phone and enjoyed our time together and found common interests.  Later this year, a prayer was answered for Newman and me. We were able to share the news that we were expecting a baby.  Karen was going be an aunt.

 

^" For “Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
¹¹ let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

I Pet. 3:10-12

 

1999 - Spiritual Legacy

 

Christmas 1999

 

Granddaddy is a special man in our lives.  The reason for writing this blog is to demonstrate God's faithfulness in our lives as well as honoring Karen for her 40th birthday.   Leaving a spiritual legacy for our children has been a prayer of mine.  At mama's encouragement, I wrote this after visiting with Granddaddy. When I wrote this, Bryce was 5 and Aubree was 3.

On Wednesday, Granddaddy told us about two boys coming to his room Sunday.  He said the boy that talked was a little older and bigger than Bryce.  The little boy asked him had he ever thought about accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Granddaddy told him yes and he said he then asked him a few more questions and he answered them.  Granddaddy said the little boy reminded him of how Bryce talked and talked about the little boy being a ‘little preacher.’  Then we all started talking about heaven.  You have to have Jesus in your heart and know Him as your Lord and Savior.  Then, Bryce asked if everyone went to heaven.  I told him no and Granddaddy shook his head no.  And said again that you have to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior to go to heaven.  Can’t remember exactly how the rest took place.  But we talked about Granddaddy going to heaven.  Then, (if) when Bryce accepts Jesus and dies, he will go to heaven.  That my daddy is in heaven.  Told Granddaddy that on 9/6 was daddy’s birthday and I told the kids that morning that if he was alive, it would be his birthday.  Then, Bryce asked , “Don’t they have birthdays in heaven?”  I told Bryce I didn’t know, but I thought every day in heaven would be a party.

Bryce asked about our bodies in heaven.  I told him our bodies would stay here, but the part that Jesus is in, would be in heaven with Him.  We also talked about not knowing when we will die, today, tomorrow, a year from now, fifty years from now.  Granddaddy said that’s why it’s important to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Needless to say Granddaddy and I had tears in our eyes by the time this was all over.  But I never cried since Grandmama said he didn’t want to see it or talk about too much.  So,  I just waited and cried on the way home.

The kids were acting crazy and being way too silly to notice

 This is probably not exactly as all happened but as close as I can remember.

But knowing and trusting that God gave us that conversation.

Jennifer

9/21/06

This picture was taken in 2000.  It's too sweet not to include.

^"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:4

"Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
³ From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!" Ps. 113:2-3

 

1998 - Graduation

A family picture from Karen's college graduation. She graduated from ECU in December of 1998. She overcame many challenges, changes and obstacles to accomplish her goals.  We are very proud of her.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education with a Minor in Music and a concentration in Psychology.  This is the year I accepted Christ is my Lord and Savior.  Newman graduated from Durham Technical Community College in May. Christmas continued the tradition of Susan giving the girls each a Longaberger basket.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”  Deut. 31:8

1997 - A Tender Heart

Mama, Karen and Bo traveled to Georgia for her to participate in a childhood friend's wedding.  It was another Christmas wedding where Karen wore green.  Karen is in college.  As the years continue, Karen learned that sometimes our mom gave us answers to make us happy.  Mama always had an answer - for everything!!  Now as a mom, I understand. I just wish I was as creative as she was and even is as she answers questions, especially questions from Bryce.  Karen has always loved animals - cute, furry and feathery. In GA, our neighbors were being mean in training their dogs, and Karen was insistent that mama go over to talk to them.  Karen was in tears. When we were younger, she saw a bird who was being eaten by a snake.  She asked mama what it was.  Mama told her it was a snake that had feathers....  She did this out of the goodness of her heart to protect Karen because she knew she would cry otherwise.  It wasn't until later that Karen learned different. 

^"And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” ²¹ So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ²³ And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
²⁴ And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. ²⁵ And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Gen. 1:20-25

1996 - Curls and Smiles

This picture was taken at Christmas get-together at our house.

The rest of this post is from a guest contributor, Bryce.

Thank you for all the fun times you have given me.  You have been a friend for all my life, and a friendship that I hope will carry on.  One memory I have is playing putt-putt.  I have played putt-putt for as long as I can remember.  You have been a huge part of putt-putt for me.  You have played everywhere with me - from Princeton to the beach.  It is so fun when either we get a hole in one or just can't get the ball in the hole.  Though I doubt I've gotten any better, it has always been a fun time.  Thank you for bringing, cheering on and playing putt-putt with me.

^"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained." Phil. 3:12-16

1995 - Gifts

After Daddy died, buying presents for mama became a difficult task.  Mama said the first Valentine's Day we gave her money and told her to buy herself some candy the day after so that she could get more.  We were 13 and 10 years old. For Mother's Day, someone took us to buy a lamp for her.  Then, for Christmas we bought her this huge jar to hold change.  It took years to fill.  It moved from GA to NC.  Karen and I probably put some change in.  I know we took change out.  We especially loved quarters.  But we would use whatever we needed at the time.  We used it to buy drinks and even to put gas in the car.  Even before the jar was filled, we asked if mama was going to divide the money with us.  And she did!!

^"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness." 1 Tim 6:9-11

1994 - Traditions

Karen transferred from Appalachian to ECU after her first year of college.  She decided pursue teaching.  Karen's favorite niece picked this picture.  She said Aunt Karen likes to sleep and she snores.  (I'm not supposed to tell because that would be embarrassing.)  I'm sure this is a well deserved nap after an excellent Christmas Dinner.  We've loved the family tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at Grandmama and Granddaddy G's house.  Then we dressed up for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church. We were up early on Christmas morning and in the living room with the "kids" sitting on the floor together.  When we were younger, we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve.  Karen continued to ask even as we got older...

  ^"To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."  2 Thess. 2:14-15

1993 - A Year of Celebrations

Karen looked very pretty for her Senior Prom.  She graduated from high school and started college at Appalachian.  We had three weddings in our family.  Susan and Joel got married in May.  Mama and Bo got married in July.  Newman and I got married in December.  We had to make several trips to Hillsborough for the bridemaids' dresses.  (A friend's aunt made them.)  Once we met at a Walmart to do measurements or something.  Karen didn't mind taking care of all this in the Walmart bathroom.  I would have died of embarrassment if any stranger had seen an inch of my skin.  Mama couldn't believe it.  Didn't she make a beautiful maid of honor?  Karen sang "My Father's Eyes" in honor of our dad. In the picture, she's enjoying the yummy food she worked very hard in preparing for our reception.  I'll never know how much work so many people put into our wedding.   This Christmas, we exchanged names for stockings at mama's house.  We decided we liked her doing them all better. 


 ^"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

1992 - Family

 

Family picture time at church.  Who ever likes getting dressed up for these and taking the time to go?  It was a pain then, and I'm sure we both complained that we had better things to be doing.  But I'm so thankful now we have these pictures. 

For the rest of the post, we have a guest contributor:

My Alabama baby came out feet first and hasn't slowed down yet and don't think she will.  And yes, I made the mistake of telling Jennifer that WE were having a baby; because I had friends who told me that adjustment to a "new" baby in the house was sometimes hard on the other sibling.  Jennifer had to give up her baby bed, so I let her pick out new sheets, clothes and toys for our new baby.  The problem came when the new baby Karen cried or fussed, I had to stop whatever I was doing and to see about her or Jennifer cried too.  Thank goodness Jennifer did outgrow this and so did Karen.

I know with all my heart that her Daddy, Jerry, is looking down from heaven with much pride also.  Her birth was difficult and I watched him pace the room and cry; the doctors weren't encouraging.  He would not let me call North Carolina and tell the family she had been born until she was about 8 hours old; because he told me he did not want to make two phone calls (one good and the next bad.)

It has been a pleasure and a source of pride to watch the young lady Karen has become.  She eventually made wise choices for her life.....education, God, Scott, and motherhood.  (I'm not going to elaborate on the not so wise choices since they are really her story to tell so you'll have to ask her.)

Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice. Ps. 23:25

1991 - The Protective Sister

 

 

1991 - I was blessed to work at Creative Crafts during high school and some in college.  Karen worked there once she turned 16.  Our Grandmother worked at the store, too.  Living in a small town, everyone asks who you are.  Who are your parents?  Who are your grandparents?  I became know as "Karen's sister." I'm not sure which one of us was working when this picture was taken.  We were nice enough to bring each other food.  One of my favorite things to get when working was an orangeade from Cole's.   Karen has always been protective of me.  One Christmas I fell where someone was doing construction work.  Karen marched right up to them and demanded they replace my pants and boots.  And she threatened to get our Granddaddy who worked as a magistrate at the courthouse.  I was terrified!  Karen had no fear!! And they wrote me a check.  Karen's beginning driving record was eventful...  I mean, who else could be in an car accident and come out with a prom date?

 

Psalm 1 

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Bringing in the 90s

 

1990 - Karen and I took pictures of each other one afternoon.  I had to send in a picture with a college application. I could have put a couple on here that would have embarrassed her, but I thought better of it. She might embarrass me back. She's holding her dog named Cricket.  After daddy died, all Karen wanted was a dog.  Mama rescued from the humane society for her.  For Christmas, Karen got several eggs for Christmas.  I think there was a very humorous story behind it, but I can't quite remember.....

 ^"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:8-10

Closing out the 80s

 

1988 - She still loves her stuffed animals.  You can't see it, but it's the fashion time of banana clips.  I don't think I ever had enough hair to wear one.  This was a year of transition for all of us.  I went to Japan for a year as an exchange student.  The house sold in GA and mama and Karen moved to Roxboro.  Mama started working full time.  One time when it snowed, Granddaddy called to see if Karen needed anything.  She said yes - Doritos and Dr. Pepper.  Karen continued voice lessons, too.

 

1989 - Do you think she has jewelry in the box?  After I came home, we celebrated Christmas again.  Karen introduced me to friends and neighbors as I started at a new school in a new state and town.  That summer, we went back to GA to visit.  We joined a church as a family, too. We celebrated Thanksgiving as family at Aunt Susan's house which was a first for us. It was the first time we all lived in the same state.  Even though we lived in the same town, we insisted on spending the night at Grandmama and Granddaddy's house for Christmas. 

 

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵ For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

 

Milestone - Teenager

 

1986 - Karen is 12 and I'm 15.  These are probably the years where we communicated the least unless it was to fight.  We both were busy with school and friends.  We did go to Myrtle Beach again as a family.  I think this is the year Karen got saved and baptized.  She became friends with the Music Minister's daughter and spent lots of time with their family.  Karen has always loved music and now is when she started developing an interest in singing.  I remember the day she went down front to join the church.  I didn't want her to go because I wasn't ready yet. - not that I knew what that meant then.  But that's a whole different story.  I'm thankful Karen was saved at a young age. 

 

1987 - Karen turned 13 this August. Moultrie had a new yogurt shop way across town.  As we were on the way home, she was feeding me my yogurt.  My little red Toyota Celica was a straight drive, and I was never very coordinated.  After a few bites, I realized she was scooping a big spoonful, eating half, then feeding me the rest.  I thought this was the yuckiest thing ever.  She didn't see any problem with it.  We laughed and argued about our thought differences for days. And still joke about it now. That summer we went to Williamsburg with Grandmama G.  After visiting Roxboro, mama took us to the Outer Banks for the first time.  We had no reservations and drove during a terrible storm.  I've never had lightening coming at me from two directions at the same time.  And Karen has always loved a good thunderstorm.  If anything could be more opposite, that statement surely is.

 

 

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."  Romans 10:8-10

Firsts and Lasts - Tissue alert

 

 1984 - Granddaddy celebrated his 60th birthday with a surprise party at Aunt Susan's house. (Mama and I are in the background.) Looks like this is the year Karen started with her teeth issues of frankels, braces, and retainers.  We knew our dad was sick, and our mom had a stroke which she fully recovered.  Family was essential during this time.  Both Grandmothers came to help.  This was the first year the M family and G family traveled to our house to celebrate our dad's last Christmas.  As I look at the pictures, I'm seeing how everyone, including Daddy, focused on Karen and me.  We had a great time posing for pictures as we decorated the Christmas tree. Our Christmas crowded in the den is a precious memory.

 

1985 - I remember January being colder than normal for South GA.  We had extra time out of school for frozen pipes.  After dad died in January, Mama had surgery and they determined her stroke resulted from a birth defect.  This was the best news for us.  Family still sacrificed to take care of us as Grandmama G continued to stay with us.  We had our first vacation to Myrtle Beach.  Most all I remember mama continuing to tell us we would be ok. 

 

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

³     He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.

 

The Countdown Continues...

 

1982 - Karen had a big birthday party with friends over for her 8th birthday.  She kept her monkey buddy wrapped around her.  She normally had a stuffed something with her. We enjoyed a summer vacation at Jekyll Island with the big rocks and loud ocean.  She even walked around with me and allowed to take her pictures.  I'm sure we still didn't get along.  Mama had to draw imaginary lines in the car that we were not to cross over.  I know we were told more than once not to bother her unless there was blood.  On the positive side, Karen was a cute pumpkin for her school play. 

 

1983 - This picture was taken by Uncle Jim when he took us to Tanglewood Park for a day trip.  Each summer we spent time with Grandmama and Granddaddy G. in Roxboro and some time with Grandmother M. in Winston Salem.  At home, we spent lot of time outside jumping on the trampoline with friends.  Our dad played golf every Saturday and Sunday.  During the summer, he would take several days off to play with us at the pool.  We also went out to dinner Saturday nights.  Our favorites were Mom and Dad's where the owners taught Karen to play chess and The Brown Derby where we got Shirley Temples and shrimp cocktails.  Our summer vacation was at Kiawah Island where we could walk to the beach and we took a jeep safari ride where we saw an alligator.

 

"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."  Ex. 20:11

 

 

Bringing in the 80s as we countdown

 

 1980 - Our graceful ballerina - not....  But she is cute.  Mama required us to take piano then allowed us to try other things like ballet/tap, tennis, gymnastics. Dancing did not make our priority lists but we had fun with our friends.  This was probably about the time Karen came home from school wishing her name was Bo, Bill or Ben since it was shorter.  I never understood how she thought her five letters were hard when mine had eight!  Mom and Dad took us to Disney World.  The 80s brought in the shiny silky shirts we both wore for Christmas.

 

1981 - Most family vacations revolved around golf.  We always had nice pools and beaches, too.  This year we visited St. Augustine.  Karen loved wearing her red cowboy hat and riding on her Hot Wheels up and down the driveway at Grandmama G's house.  It's hard to see it in this picture, but Karen has gotten a nice short hair cut.  Several family members even came to GA to see us in our dance recital. That's real family love. 

 

^"4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;" Eccl. 3:4-5 

 

 

Finishing the 70s with Grandparents and Parents

 1978 Memories - Beach vacation with G Grandparents.  I love the smiles.  Mama and Grandmama actually got in the water with us holding our hands like the ocean was going to devour us.  Karen was knee deep. I'm guessing daddy and Granddaddy were playing golf.  We went to Six Flags as a family.  We loved Easter morning when we got our baskets filled with chocolates, socks and undies before going to church.  We lived Moultrie, GA now and had a visit from Great-Grandmother Minor and Aunt Elsie. 

1979 Memories - Christmas holds lots of memories because we have many pictures.  Each Christmas holiday we stayed with Grandmama and Grandaddy G until Christmas morning.  One Christmas we even saw Rudolph in the back yard.  We were so disappointed our dad missed him because he had something to do on the other end of the house.  Karen's presents were always wrapped in green and mine in red.  We even flew kites after Chistmas.  We also got the chicken pox which we shared with each other.  

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Luke 2:11-14

 

Karen - Daughter and Granddaughter

 1976 Memories - We had moved from Dothan, AL (where Karen was born) to Dalton, GA.  When we came to visit NC, we had birthday parties, including the hats, for us both.  The word Daddy brings lots of memories and even tears especially with each of us having children now and wishing he could meet them. 

1977 Memories - Karen loved to lay on the floor and color - using a cigar can to hold the crayons.  She loved sitting in the rocking chair and Grandmama G's with uncles.  Maybe that's where Aubree got this from.  We visited Grandmother M's house Christmas afternoon where we both helped the adults open their presents. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:1-2

Karen Leigh - Countdown....

    So, my sister is celebrating a special birthday this year. I'm a few days late in my idea of honoring her 40 days until her 40th birthday.  So, I have a little catching up to do and hoping I can keep up.  In addition to celebrating her, this is a testimony to the redeeming and restoring of our sister bond - earthly and eternally. I'm thankful we share in our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  I plan to share some family memories and of course I won't embarrass anyone...  Please be patient because I'm not the writer in our family. I do numbers.  I desire for Karen to know how special our relationship is to me.  (I'm not the outwardly sentimental one, so this is a bit out of my comfort zone.)

 

My little sister, Karen Leigh, was born August 13, 1974. 

I don't remember life without her - which is good and bad... 

Mama said the whole time she was pregnant

she told me the baby was "ours", so I wouldn't be too 

jealous when she was born.  Therefore, every time she

cried or needed a diaper change, it was "our baby." 

 

 

     This picture was taken in 1975.  Along with wonderful

parents, Karen and I have been blessed with wonderful

aunts and uncles.  Uncle Jim died when he was very young. 

 Most of my memories come from pictures and

sharing with other family members.  I remember Uncle Jim

being tons of fun and playing with us. 

And he was a huge Carolina fan. 

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16