Dear Friends

My Daddy used to tell us if you could count your true friends on one hand that you were a very blessed person. I am blessed to have so many true, faithful friends in my life. Today I had a wonderful visit with two of my very dear friends that have been in my life since 1981. We worked together at Comdata. Patsy (Kerr) Fulton was our boss and she was the boss that taught you work ethics to stay with you for life. She might have been rough and demanding during the day, but you knew that she was pulling out of you what she knew you had inside. Comdata was the best education I could have ever received and we were paid handsomely if we were willing to work. We partied hard when we were off work and formed bonds that have lasted all these years. We all credit Patsy for keeping the connections going. We usually try to all get together once or twice a year and she is always the one to get it all set up. She gets the word out if anyone has a need still. Now she is on Facebook so she can really keep up with everyone!

Belinda Yoder and I became friends immediately. She was loud and confident, funny and smart and I wanted to be just like her. Belinda and I have been through many life events, deaths, births, marriages, divorces,and job changes together and even if long spans of time went between our conversations, we always pick right back up from the last conversation and run with it.

Belinda, Kim, Patsy

Last week Sharon Herndon Morgan came over with lunch and for a visit. I met Sharon at Comdata and we lived together before Danny Evans and I got married. She was one of the maids of honor in my wedding. We had so much fun looking at old pictures and laughing at old memories.

If you have special people in your life, please keep the connections going. Make sure that they know you love them. Don't wait until you have time, make the time, it is so worth it!

Birthdays today....

Happy Birthday to Courtney Blair Wiseman! She turns 18 today and I can not believe it! It was only yesterday that she was at my condo at Cedarwood and she would love to play office with all my supplies. We would pull out all the craft supplies and make things, we would laugh and shop and go out to eat. I always called her Missy and she called me Kissy. I am proud to say that I take credit for her love of jewelry and nice handbags! And now, here she is getting ready to start her senior year of High School. She is so sweet and fun and kind and she is girl that everyone wants for a friend. I love being on facebook so I can see pictures of all the things she is involved in. She loves the Lord, her family and her friends with all she has and I could not be more proud of her!

Happy Birthday Sweet Courtney! I love you very much!!!!!! XXXXOOOO

This day is also our precious Ashley's birthday too!!!! Ashley has such a big heart and has always been such a blessing to our family. I hope you have a wonderful day Ashley and I can't wait to see you !

Happy Birthday I love you!!! XXXXOOOO

I'm Back!

I had planned to put an update on here for weeks but honestly, my Mother always said..."if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I am progressing as the doctor said I would just not the way I would like to. I have had good days and bad days in this recovery process and I am doing everything I can to get strong enough for what is ahead. It all became very real to me yesterday at Vanderbilt as I laid on the CT table and they made a mask of my face and measured where the radiation would be given. They took Mom and me in the room and showed us the machine where I will get the treatments and gave me a paper with appointments from August 17th until September 30th. I go to the chemo oncologist on August 6th and she will coordinate the chemo plan with the radiation and I will have that once a week while I am there getting the radiation treatment. So, on Patrick's 24th birthday, I start the journey to end this dreaded disease.

There have been many times in my life that I did not understand the reason or the plan that God had and I have to admit that this is one of those times. I will say that because of this, I have found out that I am very loved and cared for by so many people. I have found that it does help to send cards or emails or to call those in need. I have found that it is important to say I love you, I care for you, I am there for you. It does help to prepare a meal and take it to someone so they don't have to think about that. It does help to visit and most of all, the power of prayer. When I am past this, I do intend to learn from this experience and reach out to others with the love I have been shown. As I have said before, I am overwhelmed by the out pour of love that has been showered on me since this all started. To all of you that have prayed for us, brought food, sent flowers, emails, called, sent cards, cleaned the house, or came for a visit, I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me. To my family, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty for sure. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will never be able to express my appreciation.

I continue to claim this scripture :

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Jeremiah 29:11

I am so blessed and I have complete faith that I will be cured from this dreaded disease. Thank you again and please keep us in your prayers.