For the Sake of Posterity

For the Sake of Posterity

                            

So far in my life, I've learned that there are many ups and downs. We aren't always happy, and we aren't always sad. Maybe this is why I love a roller coaster ride so much, there are high's and low's, and places in the middle. That is how life is supposed to be, I think. We wouldn't appreciate the highlights if there weren't some low places as well. Also, in the low places we tend to look up. I look up to God and see how He brought me through the other low places, and know for a fact, that he will bring me through another one as well.

While posting last night, I realized that I hadn't posted much at all throughout 2017. As I was looking through pictures to post, I saw so many other's that I should have posted. This show's me how that even through the darkest times of our life, there are spots of joy and light. They give us a reason to go on, and do the best we can.

So here are a few pictures that wrap up 2017 for our family.

January 2017


In January we had a baby shower for Brianna Morgan. We were all eagerly awaiting the birth of Miss Paisley LeAnn Morgan.

Randy and I went to visit Aunt Alzetta with Daddy and Jeannette. She is a precious lady, who is greatly loved by all. I could listen to her talk for days.   

February 2017

February brought my birthday, 55, it's just a number folks! Stephanie made this beautiful chocolate cake for her chocaholic mother! Daddy came to see me, of course. It got to where every time he would sit for very long, he would nod off. That's ok, I was quite happy just to watch him sleep!

And then Miss Paisley was born!! My sister wanted a girl, and now her first grandchild is a girl! What rejoicing!

March 2017

We had a weird snowstorm in March, which made my beautiful forsythia bush look sad and frozen!

We went with Daddy and Jeannette to the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, to see a bluegrass gospel concert. We had fun with them, but almost got struck by lightening trying to get back to our car. Freezing and snowing one day of the month, lightning storms and tornadoes on another day of month. They say if you don't like the weather in Arkansas, just stick around a bit longer, because it could change the very next day! I think that's true!

Our first grandchild, Brittney, turned 18 on March 16th. How in the world can 18 years fly by so fast?! She has grown in to a beautifully talented and gifted young lady, who loves the  Lord with all heart.

Paisley made her first trip to Grandpa and Grandma Rush's house. She was hit!

April 2017

In April the garden started coming up, and everything was so pretty and green. Look at Sugar standing guard. She can go into the garden area and make sure that no pesky critter's bother our garden! She's such a good watch dog.

 I finished this pretty little shawl for Jeannette. She was allergic to so many things, so I made this from bamboo, so it didn't irritate her skin at all.

We took Jeff and Sandra to the Arkansas Grand Canyon up around Jasper Arkansas. It's some of the most beautiful country you will ever see.

May 2017

May was a busy month. We had a lot of new calves born on the farm.

Colton was granted his wish from the Make A Wish Foundation. They sent him, his parents, and brother Dillon on an all expenses paid trip to Scotland. They had fun and made many lifelong memories. I'm so happy they did that for him. Thanks Make A Wish!!

That smile is priceless!!

My daughter Stephanie had a birthday as well on the 12th. I made her this purse.

The Morgan's came to preach on Mother's Day for the church in town. I will always make room for them!

Then toward the end of the month, Austin and Hope came and spent several days with us. Jason, Rebecca and Corbin went on vacation, and they didn't want to go, so they stayed with us. Oh Joy!!
We had fun with them, and would have kept them forever, but mean Dad and Mom made us give them back!  LOL

June 2017

June brought lots of harvesting. We had veggies and eggs practically coming out of our ears! Yuck, what an awful saying! Where in the world did that saying come from?

Paisley was growing like a weed, and just so precious!! In June I also got to start seeing her and the rest of the Morgan's a lot more often. They were voted in as Pastor at the church here, and they moved here! Sandra and I haven't lived in the same city since Devin was a toddler! I'm so excited!

 We went to Walnut Ridge to be with Daddy in church on Father's Day. We took them out to eat afterward, and he said he was cold, so he started being silly and trying to cover himself up with some napkins.

July 2017
We had a wonderful 4th of July. The house was very full, and pretty much stayed that way, because it was a dreary, rainy day. But we had fun all being inside together anyway. We took a lot of pictures, here are just a few. How were we to know it would be the last 4th of July we would spend with our Daddy and Jeannette?

On July 8th, Randy and I travelled to Walnut Ridge again and picked up Daddy. We went to the Egypt High School Reunion with him. I'm so happy we did, wish we would have stayed there with longer though. I was able to meet many of his friends from school, and even and old girlfriend of his. 

Also, before I ever left that morning to be with Daddy, this was happening in my incubator. I just can't hardly stand to have a Spring without some new chicks!

Ok, sorry folks, but this is where our year started going bad. If you don't like to read sad things, you might want to scroll on through. 

July 11, 2017 was a beautiful, hot, sunshiny day. I believe I talked to Daddy that morning, and he told me he was going to Aunt Alzetta's birthday party. She turned 93 that day. Daddy never missed an opportunity to get together with family, if he could keep from it, anyway. Family has always been very important to him. 

 The Morgan's and Randy and I got together at our house, and had supper, then played Skip Bo and just enjoyed visiting for the rest of the night. I don't know how, but we went to bed without a care in the world.

The next morning while fixing my hair, I got the call from Uncle Kenneth that changed our world forever. Daddy and Jeannette had been hit by a train while on their way home from Aunt Zet's the night before. 

I'll just tell you, the next few day's were a blur, and a flurry of activity. But all I wanted to do was get under the covers and hide until it was all over. But hey, I'm the oldest sibling, I have to step up to the plate and be strong. Thank God my strong husband was there with me to help me!

We had two funerals to attend, one right after another. 

We got through it, and I have to say that I am proud of my family, we stuck together like glue, just the way Daddy taught us. 

Daddy's Hands - I could really tell some stories here...

Through all this grieving process, Aunt Zet was starting fail. She didn't know Daddy was gone, and it was hard to keep it from her. We all visited with her as often as we could, but before July ended, she went to join Daddy and the rest of her family. She was a precious lady, who will be forever missed.

August 2017
 Now, before the long road to healing for us, we had Daddy's estate to settle. I don't know how many trips we made to Walnut Ridge, just lost count. Through it all, my trustee little sidekick Ginger stayed right with me most of the time. It's like she knew mommy was sad, and wanted to make me feel better. :-) And Miss Paisley was a ray of sunshine for everyone. Who couldn't smile when you see this little face?

 Dad's birthday would have been August 6th, then Randy's birthday was the 8th, and our anniversary was the 11th. He brought me home a beautiful card and gifts in the morning, and then carried me away to Mountain View, to the Ozark Folk Center. They have a little village there that you can tour, that has lots of crafts. Like broom making, sewing, blacksmithing, copper works, an apothecary, weaving, basketry and a lot of other places. Too many to mention. If you live close by you just need to go there, but when you do let me know, because I want to go back as well. It's so large we couldn't get to every place in a day.

There were lot's more birthday's in there as well. August is a busy month for our family.

September 2017

September brought my oldest brother, Randy, up here to Mountain Home as well. Now if we could just get Kenny and Chris here, we would be set.

It also brought two dear sisters from Homestead Heritage for a visit. We always love to spend as much time with them as possible when they here. Sister Theresa on left, and Sister Billie on the right. Grammy always brings some of her world famous Grammy B's Granola with her too. Yummy!!

 I finally finished this pair of socks for Colton. Seems like it took forever, because during all this time we are still making trips back and forth to Walnut Ridge getting Daddy's house ready to sell.

While going through some things that had been stored in a shed at Dad's house, I found a dish that had been wrapped in this old Dillard's bag. I'm sure it was brought home from one of Mama's shopping trips. Dillard's was one of her favorite places to shop!

I both loved and hated going through all these things of Mama's. The finality of it all hurt, but it also brought some good memories as well. 

Found this picture of Dad and Jeannette 

I don't know where this was taken, but they looked happy.

October 2017

Isn't it nice how looking through random pictures jog your memory? I have always loved looking through picture albums. I knew what was in them, but they just brought such a great feeling of belonging to a wonderful family.

It was time to start weaning the calves. Oh you wouldn't want to stay around our house during this time of the year, I feel sorry for our neighbors. You never heard such "bellering" going on in your life! You would think we were out there torturing them. Randy has them set up where they can still visit with each other, they just can't nurse. He is so good with the cattle. My cowboy!

 We were about finished getting Daddy's house ready to sell, and even had a potential buyer at this point. This is Prissy's grave that Daddy and Jeannette built. I'll never forget the day he called me and told me that Prissy had gotten under his tires and he had run over her. He was so sad - he really loved that little dog.

While in Walnut Ridge we decided to go get flowers and decorate the headstone. We thought it looked so pretty. We stood around and talked and sang some songs that Dad and Mom used to sing together. We just heard the other night that there isn't a single flower on there now. Why would someone steal flowers from a headstone?

This year was the first year I had ever gotten to be with Colton on his birthday. This guy is a trooper. He has been through so much in the last couple of years, with the tumor, and then with scar tissue, it's crazy. He has such spirit though, and loves the Lord and family tremendously.

Found Mama's last wallet and driver's license. She was even beautiful in her drivers license photo. Miss you Mom!

A bunch of the ladies from the church went to see one of my favorite comedians, Chonda Pierce!

Sisters

That's her, way down there!

 The church had a Fall Fest. It turned out to be cold, so the fire was greatly appreciated.

Even Ginger had to be bundled up before going out!

November 2017

Got my coffee bar all set up. The green electric coffee pot on the shelf was used by our mother. I remember when everyone did their kitchen's in avocado green!

 Made this hat for little Miss Paisley. Looks better on her than on my tea bag container! Lol

November 2017

We had ksgiving Dinner at Sandra's this year. We had a great turnout, everybody came. Our parent's would have been proud. Daddy always hoped that we would keep the family together after they were gone, and we will. We did a slideshow of in memory of them.

We sold the house 

Randy has been selling wood like crazy. It's cold out here baby!!

 I started a new project for Paisley. Hope to have it finished for her birthday.

Michael Horton made new end tables for me. I didn't know he could he do that!! I love them.

December 2017

Finally to the last month of this year. It has really been a busy one.

Aunt Tricia got to give Paisley her first sucker! I love her so much!

Ginger says, " What happened to my nice warm carpet?'

Found these old picture of Randy and I in one of Daddy's old wallets

Brittney got a 10 point!!

Met up with an old friend from childhood!

Love my new floor! Thank you Elmer and helpers!!

We had our Ladies Winter Wonderland Party at church. The ladies who decorated did a wonderful job! It was beautiful. We had great food, fellowship, and found out who our Secret Sister's were. Boy was I surprised to find out mine was Sandra!

Then to top off  December, Sandra's birthday was the 29th, and I had her to myself for a few hours that day.

We sure miss Brianna and Paisley though. They are in California soaking up some sun at the beach!!

When I was a teenager, there was a song that said, "Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin, into the future". That is one true song. 

How can you lose someone so important in your life, and just keep on living? But we do. God gives us the strength, and you catch moments of joy that keep you going. 2017 was a life changing year for us. How was your year?

New Year’s Day 2018

Oh My! It really does seem like this year flew by. This was one of the hardest years I have ever had to go through.

I’m sitting in my recliner right now, looking at this pretty pair of socks that I knitted for my Daddy for Father’s Day a few years back.

Happy New Year to all my friends and family. Take advantage of every day. Don't take people for granted. Love extravagantly while you have them.

Great Loss

I have not written about this sooner, because it's been so devastating to my family and me.

July 11, 2017 the greatest father in the world (according to my siblings and I) was taken out of this world in a horrific way. While coming back from a birthday party for his 93 year old sister, a train that failed to blow a whistle until the point of impact crashed into my father's and stepmother's car.

They had been over this track I know, hundreds if not thousands of times. The track has no lights or gates, nor even a simple stop sign, and there is a blind curve not far from it, that is covered by trees. The time was 7:26 p.m. and the sun was directly in front of them. A witness who had just crossed the tracks in the opposite direction, turned to look and saw them both with their hands up, trying to shield the blinding sun.

My siblings and I didn't find out until the next morning, due to the sheriff department in Craighead County not calling the chaplain of Baxter County where we live.

My Uncle Kenneth called me the next morning, and asked if I had talked to my Dad lately, and I said I had the previous morning. He said" Well, I hope I'm
not jumping the gun, but there was a car vs. train crash in Bono last night with two people killed. Sis, I'm hearing it was your Dad and Jeannette".

I don't know if I even remember a lot of what happened after that. I was sure it couldn't have been them, so I got off the phone, and tried to call them on every number they had. No contact.
I then called the Jonesboro Police Dept., who told me I had to call the Sheriff's Dept., who I immediately called. I asked them about the train crash, that I had heard that it was my Dad and Stepmother, and she told me she would try to find out, and call me back. A few minutes later I had confirmation that the victims were Billy David Rush, and Mary Jeannette Rush.

Daddy and Jeannette

Devastation. Period.

I was just devastated, we all were. Our Mother had died almost 15 years earlier, and Dad was all we had left. Now we had to say goodbye, and not one of us wanted to do that.

Mama at her piano

Mama and Daddy in Dinuba, CA

It's been a long hard road the past few months. We've had to take everything out of Daddy's house, and try to find new homes for them. Clean up the house and get it ready to sell. Even though it's just a shell now, because the people who made it home for us are gone, it's still very hard to say goodbye.

                    

 

  

I haven't gone into detail. I can't. It still hurts too much. 

I'm very thankful for my husband, Siblings, and all the people who have given us so much support. I'm very thankful that God helped us all through this. 

Saying Goodbye To Home

The funeral is over, the house is sold, and now we have to learn how to live without the man who has always been there for us. He taught us to love family, be strong, be honest, keep your word, and turn the light off when you leave the room! He taught it all by example. 

I don't think any of us would have been ready to ever see him leave this world, but until we meet you on the other side... 

Goodbye Daddy