Mark Brazeel's Memorial Service

I saw on Suzy's Facebook posting that Mark's memorial service will be on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 3:00 PM, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 740 S. Edmonds, Lewisville, TX, with visitation following in the chapel.

Sad News

Dear Cousins,

Suzy Brazeel's friend Judy just called me to tell me that Suzy's and Boyd's son Mark passed away this morning.

Mom and I are about to begin placing calls to various cousins, but I thought I would go ahead and post this so hopefully everyone is notified.

Boyd and Suzy were in Graham this weekend; Valerie, Mark's wife, went to church and when she returned home, she found Mark. Her daughter Emma had spent the night with a friend, and so was not home.

The cause is an apparent overdose. Mark has been battling health and pain issues for many years.

Tentatively, they hope services may be on Wednesday at their church in Lewisville, with burial in Graham. Of course I will let you know whenever I know.

Please lift them up in your prayers; "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Love always,

Diane

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

Eden and Zach in North Dakota

Eden and Zach arrived on Sunday and we've had such fun getting to know Zach and seeing Eden after not seeing her for a year. She is beautiful as always and Zach is adorable. They are so cute together.

 I took them on a tour of downtown Williston today and bought Eden a few things. Today is her 20th(!) birthday and so she found some goodies she wanted.

We have some really neat shops downtown and we had a good time. When we got home, I started my homemade enchiladas and rice, and Eden got these from her Daddy.....

We ate way too much food and cake and then we gave her some more presents......she got a sweet card and gift from her Mimi and Aunt Bula and Uncle John, Madison wrote her a beautiful song and I typed it up for her and Eden can frame it. She wrote it when she found out Eden was engaged. Here it is in it's entirety:

Sisters Forever

Even if we can’t call our Daddy ‘mister’
I’ll be forever your baby sister
You might be everywhere
But I’ll be right here

You were there when I was born
It’s like a rose in a thorn
This is when the fun starts
Right in each other’s hearts

Chorus:
It might be a little hazy
But you were a little crazy
You always had a clue
At what to do
We were the best friends ever
And were sisters forever

We might sometimes fight
But it’s alright
I will forever remember the old days
But now you need to be on your way

Chorus:
It might be a little hazy
But you were a little crazy
You always had a clue
Of what to do
We were the best friends ever
And we are sisters forever

It’s been so long
But now your gone
I was glad
But now I’m sad
You will always give me a hand
But the memories are like pieces of sand

Bridge:
I’ve been trying and trying
But I couldn’t stop crying
And there’s no one to blame
But this will never be the same
We were the best of friends ever
And we are sisters forever

I will forever remember the old days..
But you need to be on your way…
By Madison Boda 2010

Eden reading the song

After that, she and Madison both cried and then hugged and we had a nice evening laughing and being silly. Tomorrow, we are taking them to The Powder Keg Pizza Place for supper. The BEST pizza EVER. Not kidding.

Oh, if anyone missed it, (LOL) last weekend, I woke up with a HORRIBLE abscessed tooth. HORRIBLE! I was in awful pain for two days, but my honey found a dentist who took me in and gave me some wonderful drugs. I have to share the photo Mom took of me before our trip to the dentist. Believe it or not, the swelling got much worse. I kept thinking "Eden and Zach are coming and THIS happens?"

He's a Cusenbary

Owen's last name is West. His Momma's last name was Hensley, but that boy has some definite Cusenbary traits. We were eating lunch yesterday at Qdoba (Yum). Rachel said, "Owen, show Granddad your silly face." This is what we got. Steve nearly choked.


Then, while Steve and Owen napped, I fixed Rachel a snack. Sliced fresh peaches, half and half and a spoon of sugar. Yummy! Her empty bowl was sitting on the ottoman when Owen woke up. "what's this?" Rachel told him it was peaches. She told him to ask Mimi for some for his snack. So, I fixed him some too. He sat in his chair and took a bite out of the bowl with his hands. OK, peaches are a good snack. But then he got a spoonful of sugared half and half. Katie, bar the door! We don't need no stinking peaches! We have sweet stuff to drink. He took most of the peaches out of the bowl and began to spoon the milk like soup. Then he turned the bowl up and drank it gone. Oh, and he DID eat some of the peaches. Little Cusenbary boy.
"Thanks, I'll have some sugar with my fat." Our mantra.

Isla due any day now. Rachel had contractions last night.

Love you all,
Candy

YOUNG COUNTY, TEXAS HISTORY

Hey Cousins ---- There is a wonderful site on Facebook called YOUNG COUNTY, TEXAS HISTORY. I think it's been there a while but I just found it. Dorman Holub writes it and it is so very interesting -- just ask Wade, Celeste & Marisa. There has been quite a bit about our family in it and more could be coming. I don't know how but I wish someone could make copies and send Bula & Collie the stuff that is coming up. When you get to the end, hit "older posts" and get some more. It had E.S. Cusenbary in it, it has about the schools, it mentions, Granddaddy and Munnie & Papa. I think all of you would enjoy reading it. Dorman thought the world of Moma and they talked a lot of history together. Love you guys!!!

Madeline, we missed you

Happy birthday yesterday. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Love,
Candy