SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
By your reading of these words, the fifth anniversary of the Better Half's death date will have passed. The approach of this significant date has been met with words of sadness and gladness in our family. We have wished many times that he had lived longer. But we have been able to pause with appreciation and gratitude for the time that he was given. It has been especially hard not to remember his service as we have plowed new ground in search of the answer to the future of the Texas State Railroad. Always, I silently ask, "What would he do." I am committed to seek this answer. Not that I expect to get it, verbally, but when the solution is reached, I will have received a silent answer. I say these things to comfort all of you who must carry on in the absence of a loved one. The key phrase here is "carry on." That must be the goal, the purpose, of all future life. And so, for these past years of learning to live with a broken wing, I can only be thankful. It is with great gratitude this day that we can thank our creator for the blessing of 206 beautiful, round bales of hay. It was a record number for us, thanks to the blessing of so much rain, and the application of fertilizer at the right time. Patience is acquired when we work while we wait. I wait for much. And try to work hard. I can never take the place of the Better Half in leadership, but I promised our God that I would do my best to serve as needed.

And to the many of you who walk in similar shoes, I pray that you will feel encouraged by my admission. You are not alone. We are many. We suffer in silence, sometimes screaming, but always growing and learning.

Last week was seven days and nights filled with such sadness and grief in the deaths of friends and neighbors. The list begins with the untimely loss of Collin Carroll. The next was our City Judge James Long, a member of a family that has played a major role in our world since we arrived in 1950. His relative, John B. Long, had served as publisher of this paper's ancestor for about 19 years, also Rusk mayor, state representative and congressman. On Monday, our devoted friend, Eva Cummins, slipped the surly bounds and took an early morning flight out, leaving her sleeping body to testify to the peace of her passing. She was a work of art in her selfless service, compassion to others. Another special friend, Martha Ray Holcomb, spouse of Emmett, departed after an extended illness. For a time we worked closely as her husband operated his building material business and she let me help with their advertising needs. As parents, we had a lot in common. The next friend to go was Mary Nell Norman, wife of her beloved "Spooks," daughter of Watters and Lela Singletary, mother of Nancy and Kay. All of us shared life in Rusk, living it to the fullest. Spooks and Mary Nell were devoted to their children's horse riding interests, as we were for ours. For about 12 weeks of Saturdays during the summer we participated in horse show competitions across East Texas. Those were gloriously happy, memorable days. And now at week's end, another of our serving souls is gone. The death of B. J. Nicholson was a shock. He had retired from many years at Rusk State Hospital and more recently had found service at the Good Samaritan. He was a regular at First United Methodist Church, bringing his fun and laughter and great singing voice to the Chancel Choir. This is a lot of pain from seven days past. We all hurt. Hearts hurt. But we share the pain, consider the gain, and take one step forward, to carry on.

Sunday's FUMC service was marked by a special moment. When it was discovered that our recuperating Charles Davis was in the congregation, it was cause for a royal welcome to the young man. This was his first appearance in church since his liver transplant last month. His wife Joni is director of nurses at Birmingham Health Center and his work is that of band director at Lon Morris College. It has been a big blessing that they kind of shopped around and chose Rusk for their home. And now, the biggest blessing of all, his successful surgery. Down Alto way, you can't pass through town on U.S. Highway 69 and not see some of the signs that read, "Pray for Hannah." These had been posted when it was learned that little Hannah was to be the recipient of a donor organ. She has had her new heart for about a week now and so far, so good. She is the granddaughter of Marion and Laura Lindsey who preside at "Lindseyville," south of Alto. That suburb of Alto began under the leadership of Marion's late father, Doyle. Over the years, Doyle and his family continued to operate and add to their cluster of numerous businesses. Today they have the original service station with a produce stand, a super good restaurant and about four or five more services in addition to their grocery store. Well, it's a small city in one. And Marion likes to laugh and tell folks, "Hey, we even have running water and indoor plumbing." Some of his service you can pay for. The laughter and jokes are free.

Former Ruskite, graduate of RHS, Kathy Clark Meng, came by the office last week. She is the daughter of the late Grace Bagley Clark Smith. She had been here to attend services for her longtime friend and neighbor, Mary Nell Norman. We shared a few, brief, memories of horse riding days when we all joined in the fun of competition through the East Texas Rodeo and Horse Show Association.

Another visitor was Betty Tosh Miller. She had a copy of this newspaper from May, 1951. Want to guess what you'll read in this space next week? Yep, some of that issue's headlines. She has been spending spare time in helping her mom, Magoleine, organize the important "stuff" which most of us manage to keep.

Well, out of space, out of time, but here's a question to ponder from Della: "Is prayer a road I regularly travel, or one that I use only when I can find no easier route?" Keep smiling.