HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY ANN AND MY LITTLE BROTHER BOB

Today, July 7th, is a pretty important birth date for me. My daughter in law, Emily, celebrates her 35th birthday today. I am awfully glad she was born…she makes my son extremely happy, is a joy to be around and has presented me with two wonderful grandchildren, including my only grandson, who happens to share my middle name! (Tough thing to do for a little guy.)

It has made us all very happy for Emily to be in our family and I have been impressed with her zeal to do the right thing. She works hard at being a good mama, wife and partner, while maintaining her sense of humor and making us all feel loved. I thank God she and Jacob found one another and this has been a blessing in all our lives.

Today would also have been the 64th birthday of my little brother Bob. He was killed in December 1967 in a bicycle accident, when he was only 14. It is hard to imagine him being 64 and I continually wonder what kind of man he would have been. What career would he have pursued, would he have had a wife and children? Most likely…he adored ladies and many pretty girls wept at his funeral. He tried real hard to fit in and get along. Like all of us, he wanted to be accepted and met life head on, with a doggedness that accepted anything, except caution. Which is what took his life.

My cousins waiting for Mama Kenner's fried okra. From left: Bob, Becky, Me, John, Cheryl, and David

I miss Bob on a daily basis and wonder how he would have adjusted to life…his wife, kids, career and faith. I do know he is in heaven, now with our mother and dad. He has the run of the place and is entertaining others who knew me and have now introduced themselves to my little brother.

Bob's Boy Scout Adventure - he is on the top left. Summer 1967 at Philmont Scout Ranch

So, July 7th is a big day. I celebrate the birth of Emily Ann Sappenfield and all the gifts she has brought to our lives. I also celebrate the birth and short life of my little brother, Bob. Bob’s life is a reminder that life is brief and we should be grateful for the time and blessings we enjoy, by simply being together.

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