SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD
The question is, when will it rain again? Hay cutters pay close attention to rainfall. With just a few more rainless days, we may see grass cut and baled for next season's feeding. This is strange, considering last year's prolonged drought. We should practice gratitude for what is.

One of the big blessings in life is called "faith." And everyone's has been tested this past week. Our community suffered a great shock in the death of one of our finest. Collin Carroll, the son of Jeff and Sandy Carroll, drowned off the coast of Africa. He was a recent graduate from Texas A&M and a graduate of Rusk High School. A handsome and talented, special child of God, he was on a mission in service to his God. All of the known words have been used: shock, tragedy. But his family and friends, through his death, have been drawn closer together than ever. It is hard to comfort parents in the loss of a child. Life is not supposed to do that to us. We are supposed to proceed in an orderly fashion with the older generation going first. Until it has been experienced, it is difficult for anyone to feel the pain of another. We can only guess at what they're going through. It is the prayer of this community of family and friends that Collin's premature departure will be slowly understood and accepted. It is said that there is good in all things. This kind of an event begs human explanation, but it is not the human's to give, much less understand immediately. Hopefully, the flood of prayers in their behalf will help staunch the flood of tears. His memory and his love will live on in the lives of those who love him.

DEBORAH CARY

There are several health issues we are pleased to pass on. Charles Davis, the beneficiary of a liver transplant, returned home last week. His dear wife Joni has returned to her duties at Birmingham Health Care. They will remember their month in Dallas where the young band director for Lon Morris got a new lease on life. They are deeply appreciative of the many kindnesses and prayers.

Another precious life is that of Cooper Stanaland, the young son of Jason and Adrienn, and brother of Marilyn. He remains in the preemie unit at Shreveport where he has continued a slow, but steady, weight gain. Grandparents are Lester and Fay Hughes who visit regularly. They return home from each visit with hope in their hearts and good news of his prognosis.

Recently, we enjoyed fond memories with Leatha Jo Parsons when she came by our office. She wanted to share with our readers the news of her daughter's recent promotion. She is Deborah Parsons Cary and has been promoted to principal for Memorial Primary School at New Braunfels. She had been serving the school as its instructional specialist. Deborah is a graduate of Rusk High School and the daughter of Letha and Thomas Parsons. I remember well her grandparents, George and Morgree Monroe. She began her new duties July 1 as principal of the 700-student campus. This news would have brought a smile to the face of the Better Half. He remembered with pride and affection his days in New Braunfels. His dad was that city's chamber manager and led in the creation of Landa Park back in the 30s.

Letha also brought an announcement to the Scott & White Hospital Training School for Nurses commencement exercises. It was May 9, 1929. These are the students who graduated: Thelma Allen, Lyndell Bruner, Vera Fay Brown, Bertha Cull, Floyd Davis, Alice Griswold, Kate Gullett, Delia Hamilton, Floy Hamlin, Rosalie Lomica, Irene McClure, Pearl Mc- Whorter, Ona Marie Miller, Pearl E. Simmons, Quinby Terry, Pearl Ed Woody, Minnie Wolman and Opal Woods. If you recognize any of the names let me hear from you. There must have been a connection to Rusk.

Here's a parting thought from a book given me by my late friend, Della Kinney: "Your suffering may make an angel weep into her wings, but it will never make her walk away." Keep an eye out for the angel that watches over you, and keep smiling.