Legacy

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From the desk of Nona Dean:
To Katy, A Beautiful Lady
You're my teacher, my confidant, wonderful friend.
I hope the joys we've shared never come to any end.
Your laughter is so precious - it brings joy to my soul.
You are such a remarkable lady, full of self-control.
You are youthful and vibrant - you will always be young.
Your life tells a story - that's yet to be sung.
Your life here on earth has been happy and sad.
But you remember the good and forget the bad.
I'll treasure our friendship down through the years.
I'll remember our good times and forget the tears.
When our life here is over and in heaven we meet -
What fun we will have; Oh, won't it be sweet!

Excerpt from "Warning Signs" by Shirley A. Huffines:
Again, I heard the sound of falling rock. I rushed to the window by the stairs, craning my neck upward toward the batch house. I did not see anything amiss. Once again, I tried to settle down to work. Looking up from my work, I noticed a blur of someone hurdling down the stairs, two at a time. "Now, where does he think he's going?" I wondered.
Seemingly without warning, everything exploded. With a deafening roar, a kaleidoscope of lumber that had been splintered into a million pieces whizzed toward me. Shielding my face with an upheld arm, I stared in disbelief as the roof disassembled itself. Beneath me, I felt a horrifying shudder. Carefully, I stood up and eased back from my desk as it disappeared into the storage room below.

Penned by Carolyn French:
The River Flows
The sun comes up and the river flows,
Hundreds of miles as it shines and glows.

Floating in it, water-soaked wood;
No longer towering where once it stood.

Birds winging paths across currents of air;
Not just one, but a beautiful pair.

Loaded barges set in water deep,
With schedules to meet, times to keep.

Tugs rapidly moving below skies of blue,
So far to travel, and so much to do.

These are the memories of by-gone days,
Water ebbs toward the sea in so many ways.

I was a part of the story now told,
Back in my youth, when I was so bold.

And I remember as I'm writing this book,
Now through my words others can look.

That was the glorious life I did live,
And now to mankind my memories I give.

The sun's going down in silent repose,
As onward it travels, the river flows . . .

Excerpt from "A Kentucky Prayer" by Lois Abbott Tanner:
Lord, there are those who say they long to hear the angel's harps and voices when they get to heaven. But, Father, do you have something for those of us who long to hear the sweet sound of a hammered dulcimer or the sharp twang of a banjo? I'd hate to go through eternity without the sound of a fiddle playing or the mandolin's voice. I would appreciate a few members in the heavenly choir whose voices knew the woeful sound of folk ballads brought from the old country long ago. Hymns of praise sung by the best of the country and bluegrass saints would be appreciated by those of us raised on them who have it in our blood. When the day is done in heaven, I sure would like to hear a few sweet, familiar chords carried across the hills by a gentle breeze.

Excerpt from "Margaret" by Brenda Miller:
Margaret was my mother's name and, although you might consider it disrespectful, is the name of our pet pig. Margaret is very special, as was my mother.
One afternoon, a frightened, battle-scarred, and malnourished pot-belly pig made her appearance at my childhood home where my son and I were remodeling. Shocked, giggling, and amazed, I spied this curious, seemingly unafraid, small pig standing not six feet away from the front porch where we were standing. Her curious demeanor seemed to question: "What are you doing here?" Even though she was the stranger, I felt I was on her turf.

Excerpt from "Pinky" by Anita Foley Moore:
PINKY
There once was a man named Red
There once was a woman named White
They went out together (out on a date!)
And laughed and danced all night.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Then one day a baby was born---
A dear little one, a "bundle of joy"
He had a sweet smile and a bright shock of hair
The color of which, was strange for a boy!
It stood straight up on top
Not a curl, not a kink
But the color it was that made you blink
The color? Why, you would have to say: Pink!!
So they named him Pinky (there could be no other)
And soon they came home-- father, baby, and mother.

Excerpt from "Charlie and His Pond" by Sandra Carman:
Charlie was a turtle who lived in a pond. He was so happy there, but felt there might be more outside his pond. So he climbed out of the pond in a clearing, so that he would remember where he came out and not get lost.
"What a different world!" Charlie said as he started towards the left. Suddenly, he saw a strange looking creature. "What are you?" Charlie asked.
"I am Miss Spider and I spend all my time catching flies for my babies and myself to eat."
"I wanted to know what it would be like out of my pond. Wow! What a big world out here! Come to think of it, I am not sure where I am. Can you help me find my way home, Miss Spider?"