SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD
It is time (no pun intended!) to say "hello" to 2008 and "so long" to 2007. It has been a good year, don't you think? Some days were better than others, but most of us accept this as a way of life. Chicken today, feathers tomorrow. For those who lost loved ones, 2007 can not be expected to provide a highlight of the year. Quite the opposite. It becomes a day, a point in time, which you continue to look at, remember, touch and wonder. I continue to remind myself that pain is essential. It serves a purpose, too, much as I do also. I just don't always know what THE purpose Now, if you feel confused I apologize. Direct your best wishes my way. I hope to grow up some day and have all the answers to all of life's questions! I wish that for you, too!

Thanks to all of you who were kind and sent greetings to all of us who do our best to bring each week's issue your way! Without you, we would have no reason to be! This photo was a special blessing. The three lovely little girls are the daughters of Johnny Glen and Ashlie Patterson. His parents are Johnny and Mary Ann. Long story short, this family has been off and on with us through numerous years of our journey in Rusk. Of their four sons, we were fortunate to enjoy the association of three: Johnny Glen, Dale and Stephen. Of course, their mom launched their career with us, birthing several of them while she was employed here, too! It is a big family that we are privileged to share life with! And this includes all of YOU!

In the picture from left are Alexa, Claire and Emma. After four sons, their Rusk grandparents rejoice in the lives of three Grand Girls!

The sense of belonging to "family" was reflected in a note from Jeannette Kirk last week. She wrote, "Please renew my subscription to the paper for another year. After calling Rusk home for 48 years, I recently moved to Athens to be near my son, Frank and his family. Just last week, my daughter, Cindy Kirk Harrison, moved here! So, it has been a good move for me, but I still want to keep up with Rusk news." And with the help of our Creator, (and the Postal Service!) we will do our best to make it happen--every week!

Here's a special memorymaker for some of our special friends! Harrison Polk Penn joined the family of his parents, Eric and Amber Penn Dec. 20. He only weighed eight and one half pounds! I asked if he arrived with a football under his arm? He is welcomed to this world by maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bradshaw of Bedford; paternal grandparents, Cathy and Ray Penn of Alto; great grandparents include Genelle Richards and the late James Polk Richards of Rusk for whom the new baby was partially named; more great grandparents are Floyd and Dorothy Bradshaw; Turner and Mary Broughton and Betty Pitttman Broughton. Best wishes to this fine little boy and all of his family! Don't you think that SOGP Ray Penn managed to sneak a football under the Çhristmas tree?

In closing we suggest that you do your best to drive past the beautifully decorated home of Albert Munsinger and several of his neighbors near the old rodeo arena off Crockett Street! They have presented a city scene in our country town! Magnificent! Artistic! How much is the light bill? And the joy goes on...special thanks to Earl Ross who called to tell us about this place of beauty! We hope to pursue a photo before it comes down. And Bobby Tosh has another, equally beautiful, tribute to the Season with a huge, lighted Cross on top of the mountain which is part of his farm land. This site is wedged between Rider Road and the Mount Hope Road southwest of Rusk.

OK, that's it for this issue... unless some of it falls out on the way!

Our wish for you and yours is this: "Be safe, be well, be happy!" Shall we try to keep smiling? Absolutely! Just do it! Happy New Year! herald@mediactr.com