A Tribute to Some Very Special People

Happy Birthday, Collie/Zorro/Colliewobbles!

September is a special month in our family -- it's sweet and bittersweet.

Collie, Pat, and Dan all had birthdays in September,

and Aunt Sue went home in September.

I remember writing on the chalkboard in Granny's kitchen; when I would return many weeks later, my message would have a large "Z" chalked over it! Zorro had been there!!

Mom has told me countless stories about growing up with Collie; she idolizes him to this day! Surely my brother's love of critters and pets proves the genetic link with Collie!

It's difficult to picture our "be sweet like me" Uncle Dan

as a Marine Drill Sergeant!

To me, he was the sweetest uncle.

During one of the many fun-filled times I spent the night at Candy's and Susan's, I got homesick and started crying at bedtime. Uncle Dan rocked me until I was calmer, and Aunt Sue let Susan put a record on the record player in her room so we could listen while we went to sleep. (Susan told me later that Aunt Sue NEVER let them play music during bedtime!! You're welcome, Susan, for that nighttime musical interlude!)

Aunt Pat was such fun!

Once when I was visiting, she and Keri and I played board games and card games.

We rolled up pieces of paper, and stuck them in our mouths like we were smoking cigars!

Aunt Pat wore a visor, and looked like a Las Vegas card dealer.

Two favorite stories about Aunt Pat came to me via Mom; when Mom was growing up, Aunt Pat was driving and bought Mom a double-dipped ice cream cone. She asked Mom is she could have a bite, and Mom agreed. Then Aunt Pat promptly leaned over and took the entire top scoop!

When Mom was in high school, and Granddaddy thought she was wearing too much lipstick, he would get Aunt Pat to try to straighten Mom out. Once Aunt Pat told Mom, "I wish you'd straighten up so Daddy won't keep making me talk to you!"

I love to tell people the love story of my mom's

best friend and big brother! What a match!!

During another wonderful visit to Wichita Falls (Bill and I and Candy and Susan spent time each summer at each other's homes; WONDERFUL SUMMERS!), Aunt Sue and Uncle Dan took the four kids to Funland Amusement Park. I LOVED (past tense) the Tilt-A-Whirl, and proceeded to ride it six -- count 'em -- six times in a row! After the sixth ride, I staggered off the ride and promptly threw up. Aunt Sue, totally nonplussed, said, "Well, I guess five times is her limit."

Thanks for letting me share! And special thanks to Don and Paul for getting the pics uploaded!

Love, Di