More Prayers for Paul from His Mother Nellie

Dear Lord, Grant that this little baby may grow to pure clean manhood a blessing to all who loves him a joy in himself. Help that he may make himself useful to mankind and choose a profession of honesty and helpfulness to humanity. Keep him strong, straight in body and thoughts,...
Continue reading
  1122 Views
  0 Comments
1122 Views
0 Comments

Letter She Might Have Written

I envision, Grandma Nellie would have written a letter like this to my dad if she could have: January, 1937 Dear Paul, There are times when being a sensitive soul is a curse for those of us endowed with tender temperaments feel life deeply. When I held you in my arms...
Continue reading
  1113 Views
  0 Comments
1113 Views
0 Comments

Taproot for Nellie Evalena Turnage Hunter (10/8/07 to 4/4/37)

    75. Janet Turnage Shoelen (1933) daughter of 74. Nona Pierce Turnage (1908) daughter of 73. Alice Stone Pierce (1877-1956) daughter of 72. Olive Bourn Stone (1844-1917) daughter of 71. Olive Ballou Bourn (1804-1872) daughter of 70. Silas Ballou (1777-1863) son of 69. Silas Ballou (1753-1837) (Rev. War hero. Brother...
Continue reading
  1192 Views
  0 Comments
1192 Views
0 Comments

Dear Grandma Nellie

August 7, 2008 Dear Grandma Nellie, Nellie Evelana Turnage Hunter. I am 55 years old, so why is it that I suddenly have this need to talk to a grandmother I have never known? Grandpa was born on December 8, 1904 - almost a Christmas baby. You were born in the...
Continue reading
  1165 Views
  0 Comments
1165 Views
0 Comments

Prayer Nellie Wrote For Son Paul Before Her Death

Paul,   Heaven protect thee thou innocent one! The way of life is rough and thorny and often may its flinty rocks wound thy onward treading feet, and its sharp thrones pierce thy hand so eagerly extended to pluck its tempting fruits. Gather up thy strength for the battle of life...
Continue reading
  1144 Views
  0 Comments
1144 Views
0 Comments

I'm Not Going to Live Forever, But While I am Still Here . . .

Saturday July 27, 2008 It's been said, "I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time." On Tuesday I will turn 55. Today I learned how to smoke. It's not like I woke up this morning and thought, Hmmm what vice can I...
Continue reading
  943 Views
  0 Comments
943 Views
0 Comments

Mr. Christmas

Since becoming a StoryKeeper I’ve notice something that keeps coming to my attention. Every one of us has defining moments in our life, an event or experience of such physical or emotional intensity that it has a profound impact on the nature and direction of our life.        Moments...
Continue reading
  160 Views
  1 Comment
160 Views
1 Comment

Lord, I Want to be Real

Lord, I want to be real. If being real means that I am alone, and in that solitude You walk with me, then let me be alone, accompanied for the moment only by You. If being real means that I struggle with the weakness of others, and wonder at my ability...
Continue reading
  569 Views
  0 Comments
569 Views
0 Comments

That's What Grace is For

Though the waiting area next to the Radiation-Oncology department of St. Joseph Hospital is spacious, I feel like I am suffocating. We make our way to a wooden bench next to a gently flowing waterfall, and make small talk. "I heard them read the twenty-third Psalm over the PA system a...
Continue reading
  955 Views
  0 Comments
955 Views
0 Comments

Picante Sauce Grace

God whispers to my heart at the strangest times, and in the strangest places. There are other more prestigious eateries in town, but I like Taco House. The food is so-so; it's the memories that keep me coming back. Since I can remember, my family has frequented the simple café, munching...
Continue reading
  1054 Views
  0 Comments
1054 Views
0 Comments

Unexpected Grace

It was pretty routine, if you don't count the incident with the milk. I'd exchanged small talk with the cashier and sympathized with the sacker over his bundle of defective bags. I'd watched nonchalantly as he sacked my groceries; paid scant attention as he bagged the milk. Then I watched in...
Continue reading
  977 Views
  0 Comments
977 Views
0 Comments

That's My Story

Fibro-fo g. It's just one of the many symptoms of fibromyalgia, also known affectionately as "thorn in the flesh" or "pain in the toosh." It's estimated that 7-10 million Americans have it, most of them women which, in fact, explains why we of the gentler sex sometimes say and do the...
Continue reading
  507 Views
  0 Comments
507 Views
0 Comments

Need a Bandaid?

His uttered oath of profanity doesn't surprise me much.  For some reason - be it right or wrong -  it seems consistent with motorcycles, bandannas and leather jackets.  Nevertheless, I turn around in my seat to see. Hubby Rob and I have stopped at a small coffee shop in downtown Colorado...
Continue reading
  149 Views
  0 Comments
149 Views
0 Comments

Nip It In the Bud

My two teenage sons and I follow our growling stomachs to the local fast-food restaurant.  Lunch trays in hand, we maneuver our cokes and spicy-chicken sandwiches through the crowd and settle at a table.  Andy takes a bite of lunch, then pauses, a look of utter incredulity on his face. His blue...
Continue reading
  1347 Views
  1 Comment
1347 Views
1 Comment

Rules? What Rules??

My reason for breaking the rules? Simple, I'm in a hurry and there's no time to find a buddy. I'm going on my first assignment for Neighbors Who Care, a ministry to victims of crime and I'm running late. Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. By days end, I would...
Continue reading
  152 Views
  0 Comments
152 Views
0 Comments

Confess Your Faults

You may call it what you wish - progesterone depletion, brain fog, carnality.  All I know is that I got myself in a heap of trouble this weekend all because of attitude.  The first time I handled it all right . . . I guess.  As long as the lady doesn't...
Continue reading
  1072 Views
  0 Comments
1072 Views
0 Comments

Five Important Lessons

Dear Friends and Family: Next to Colorado, Kentucky must be the closest place to heaven on earth. What a beautiful state! If my family and friends would go with me, I'd move there in a heartbeat. Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky is lovely and quaint. The town is no bigger than a...
Continue reading
  966 Views
  0 Comments
966 Views
0 Comments

Taco House Christmas

We don't go there as often as we used to. When we were young, my brothers and I hurried through Saturday morning chores knowing that when our work was done, more often than not, we'd get to go to Taco House. Tacos, burritos, chalupas, guacamole . . . but "voted family...
Continue reading
  957 Views
  0 Comments
957 Views
0 Comments

The Prodigal's Mother

A blustery north wind crooned a haunting melody as it blew relentlessly across the open field. Shivering, Ruth pulled her coarse woolen cloak tautly about her slight frame in an effort to ward off the chill. She wished she’d been blessed with an ample body like her mother; the cold never...
Continue reading
  638 Views
  0 Comments
638 Views
0 Comments

It's Not Easy Being a Mom

Dear Paul, Diana, Andy and Ben, It’s not always easy being a mom.  First, you birth them, then you bathe them, then you teach them right from wrong.  No matter how hard you try, with all that you do right, you're bound to do some things wrong.  You gently guide, praying that your mistakes will be minimal, and their understanding...
Continue reading
  517 Views
  0 Comments
517 Views
0 Comments