HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN !

Happy birthday to our first son, John Eric Holzworth. You were the first, the one we practiced on. You amazed Darrell Crawford, babysitter Pauline's husband, with your early counting skills, and astounded Flavia Barnett, our minister's wife, with your reading ability. But as a teacher, I knew you were ready, so I encouraged you! (Well, I actually think you might say I pushed you!)
In spite of my efforts, you did your own thing as well!

I remember how proud we were of you, our first-born. I remember the photo of you standing behind the steering wheel of Red Reynolds' van. I remember when you took swimming lessons at Kurtz' pool. I remember when you bought a valentine for a special girl. I remember how you cried when our dog, Lucky, got hit and died. I remember your car wrecks, especially the one where you called me from Dudleytown. I remember your short but unwilling stint at IUS. I remember when you were in an apartment in Seymour and got sick. I remember when you moved to Massachusetts, the Christmas I flew out to visit you, and your visits back here. Those are just some of the memories I have.

I still think you would be a great talk show host! You can carry on a conversation with anybody and they feel very comfortable and honored. You have an easy, low-key manner with people. But I also know you have a depth of feeling that I haven't always recognized. And you are funny, with a subtle sense of humor. You get along great with children! You are loyal to your friends. You are thoughtful with cards and gifts. You have to like your job to stay with it. Those are some of the things I admire and appreciate about you. And of course you love your music.

Happy Birthday, John!

Love, Mom

(For photos see: thewarrens-cliffandsusan.blogspot.com )

Such A Little Word

"If" is such a little word! But it does have such great implications. When looking at the past, "if" is usually used in the expression, "If only . . . ," indicating regret for what was or wasn't done, or did or didn't happen. I'm sure we all have our own ways of finishing that expression.

However, the word "if" also exists for the present--conditionally, that is. "If I do this, this will be the result." "If I do this, eventually this will happen." So for now "if" serves to keep our actions in check in order to avoid or experience certain consequences, both negative and positive.

Then there is "What if?" "What if . . . ?" may express our fears about the outcome of an anticipated course of action, but "What if . . .?" may also express the potential results of trying new approaches and actions, encouraging us to step boldly forward into the future.

So we see that the little word "if" may be used to show past regret, to ground us in the present, or to prevent us from or to spur us on to bigger and better things. However much we might wish we could, we can't change the past. Of course, we want to act honorably and responsibly now. But most importantly, we may think about the future with hope and determination to make it better, "if" we are willing to think and act in ways we have never tried before! That is true of individuals, groups, communities, states, and nations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON !

This space honors our second son, Jason Frederick, born on June 17, 1978. Dr. Blaisdell always said you were at the top of the growth chart, and you grew to be 6'4" tall. One of my favorite memories of you is as a little boy riding your bike on the sidewalk in your red Superman cape (made by Aunt Margaret), blue Superman pajamas, and red Superman underoos--making a complete Superman look!

I remember your pet bird, a "quaker" parrot, which I was afraid of because Nemo would attack me when I walked past his cage! I also remember your captivation with reptiles and amphibians--going to the Louisville Zoo, the Reptile Emporium at Nashville, and much later, convincing your Dad to take you to "Uncle Bill's," a store west of Indianapolis, after big John's appointments at I. U. Medical Center. I remember tarantulas, a frog, lizards of various kinds, and of course, snakes (plus numerous crickets, mice, and rats for food). Then, later, your passion became fitness and mountain biking. Today, I would say your passion is photography. All of the things which have intrigued you have become sources of income--snakes, bikes, and photography.

I am proud of you for your drive and determination! These qualities have made you a success in your undertakings. You worked at WalMart Distribution Center in Seymour for several years and took classes to receive an Associate's Degree in Technical Graphics (Purdue program). You went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and later did bike camps. You have traveled throughout much of the U. S. You now live in Louisville and own your own home. (And you are an accomplished Scrabble player, beating the tar out of me most of the time.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON! Love, Mom

(For photos, see thewarrens-cliffandsusan.blogspot.com.)

IN MEMORY OF MOM (APRIL 22, 1926 - JANUARY 10, 2005)

Today, April 22, would have been my mom's 83rd birthday! Mom died in 2005, and I remember when Jane (my sister) called to tell me. I wish the phone could ring now, and it would be Mom calling just to talk, the way she often did. That's one of the things I remember about her. I remember when we were little she used to tell us about a time when she worked in Indianapolis. She loved pretty clothes and pretty things. She used to narrate pretend fashion shows for me. I remember her love of reading, which she definitely passed on to all of us. I remember buying her a set of teddy bear salt and pepper shakers which are now in my kitchen instead of in the corner shelf in hers. I remember how mad she would get when my cat would drag dead mice onto her porch or steps. She threatened Muffy's life, but her bark was worse than her bite. I remember when she learned to drive. I remember when she wore a red dress to my sister, Julinda's wedding, and she danced, too. The red dress and the dancing were things she really wanted; dreams, perhaps, or rekindled memories. I also remember her wonderful meatloaf and fried chicken, better than any I've ever had.

She truly loved the beauty of her lilac bush and her forsythia bush. Even though Mom's circumstances were never as beautiful as she would have liked, she endured them anyway! I know that she really wanted each one of us, her seven children. I was not my mom's favorite child (she would have denied that she had any) but I know she loved me! She always rooted for the perceived underdog, who had her utmost sympathy, and she made excuses for people who got in trouble, whatever the reason, and felt sorry for them.

Like my dad, my mom was very smart, although she also did not finish high school. She liked to work crossword puzzles and play word games. She saved many things, tangible reminders of happy memories, experiences, and events. In her later years, Mom had some physical problems, but she kept on going. Her heart was always at the Methodist Church in Shoals, where Grandma and Grandpa Gilbert had always gone, although for a time she attended elsewhere.

So today, in this space, I remember my mom, Bessie Mae (Gilbert) Sanders, a smart, caring, sympathetic, and determined woman. I can only hope to be like that, too!

A Sad Day for Crothersville

It is a sad day for Crothersville! Something wonderful has ended. Hamacher Hall and the Heritage Haus Restaurant are now a thing of the past. There was an article in last night's (Seymour) Tribune attempting to explain it all, but the future is particularly unclear. I do not believe that Hamacher Hall, designated Crothersville's historical and cultural arts center, had outlived its purpose. It became whatever it needed to be at the time--a place to display Indiana history artifacts, a place for scarecrow and tree-trimming contests, a place for individuals to combine their pieces of Crothersville history into a more complete picture, a place to perform amateur play productions, a place for area musicians to perform, a place to host meetings, and occasionally a place for grander, more formal events. The food at the restaurant was always delicious, and the tea was unsurpassed. Marcia Fleetwood, the director, obviously was dedicated to every aspect of her work, and was innovative in her approach, while not ignoring lessons from past experience.

I am grieved that the Crothersville community was not more welcoming, accepting, and encouraging of Marcia and her efforts. She worked wholeheartedly and sacrificially at the task she had accepted. It is disheartening to see one's efforts brought to nought. Community support was to a great extent lacking for any endeavor which was undertaken. Surely Crothersville still needs a place to display its history, a place to host meetings, and another restaurant. Surely it is to our advantage to have a place for performing and enjoying music, plays, and special events. So what happens now? We go out of town for what we want and need, instead of obtaining at least some of those experiences locally. If Crothersville is to make progress in becoming what it has the potential to become, then Crothersville's people are going to have to examine their attitudes toward "strangers" and "outsiders." We are going to have to do more than talk about our small-town friendliness and Hoosier hospitality; we are going to have to practice it! We are going to have to get to know newcomers, rather than just listen to others' opinions or gossip!

In Memory

of

Carl Franklin (Frank) Sanders

March 1, 1920 - September 26, 2000

My Dad

My dad loved me. I was "Daddy's Little Girl," his firstborn. I remember how he worked every day at Crane (NAD then) as an Electronics Technician. I remember when he would pick berries or get pawpaws over by the river, or cook rabbit or squirrel, or just fix breakfast once in a while. When I was very young he would buy these little pencil drawings from me for a nickel. He installed indoor plumbing in our house; he was quite a handyman. He was organized and smart, even though he did not have a high school diploma. He took a correspondence course to learn radio and TV repair, and he repaired them for not very much money, since he knew no one had much. He used to go to Bedford to get parts, and he carried this caddy around. He could also wire houses and inspect wiring. Those were ways of adding to his income. And he added rooms onto our house as the family grew larger.

He used to take us for rides on Sunday afternoons. And I remember one time that he took me to Queen's Clothing Store in Shoals to get a dress and shoes for a band concert. (The dress was coral and had tucks in front and a gathered skirt.) I also remember how he would transport me to church, and later to Bible college.

I remember when he "gave me away" at my wedding. He wouldn't take sides when John and I argued, and he probably had more empathy with John's physical difficulties than anyone I know. He spent time with our sons, and he thought they turned out well--he told me so!

Dad wasn't very demonstrative, but I remember that at some point in his later years, I started kissing him good-bye when I left, and later it became the expected thing. In his later years he accepted Christ and was baptized, and I remember the sermon at his funeral about the workers who worked different amounts of time but received the same reward. It will be a joy to see him again in eternity!

I know my Dad was always proud of all of us, his seven children; he sacrificed for us and gave us everything he could, and I know he often went in debt doing it! The person he was was shown in the things he did and the care with which he did them.

(Tribute and lots of photos on thewarrens-cliffandsusan.blogspot.com)

I HAVE A DREAM!

I have a dream! I dream of Crothersville becoming a thriving little town with several businesses and specialty shops worth getting off the interstate or just stopping in to check out and patronize.

I dream of a town that is not dying or even just surviving, but actually thriving. (That means healthy and growing.)

I dream of a town which provides an inviting town park for all to use. I dream of a town which provides a community center and activities for its citizens of varying ages. I dream of a town where all are educated appropriately, and where families are proud to made their homes and proud of the homes they make. I dream of a town where the churches are almost filled (that leaves room for a few more).

I dream of a town which appreciates and advertises its positives, and recognizes and overcomes its weaknesses--a place where citizens work together. I dream of a town which shines because of all it is and has and offers. I dream of the time when Crothersville is regarded as a small but precious jewel of a place--a little town with lots to offer. Yes, I do have a dream! How about you?

FAITH****FAMILIES***FRIENDS****FUTURE