CLAY AND WATTLES

Our Forty-First Anniversary

Forty-one years ago Paul and I married in Iuka Baptist Church. It was a Monday night - I'm not sure why Monday, except he was out of school for Christmas break. It was a small wedding and afterward we drove to Memphis where we stayed at Holiday Inn. I remember we had to call housekeeping because the light bulb in the bathroom was burned out. For supper, we drove over to West Memphis and got hamburgers - maybe at Shoney's because that was the place to eat then. The next day we had a really good dinner compliments of a friend who gave us money as a wedding gift. That day, Christmas Eve, we arrived in Wynne and began settling into the little house on what was then State Street, now Falls Boulevard. State was a two-lane highway then. Our little rental house had a living room, kitchen-dining, bedroom and bath. And a clothesline. But in the winter we did our laundry at the laundromat just down the street. I really hated going there... I was 20. By the next summer we did have a washer, which we paid to have plumbed. Then I used the clothesline. Imagine now having your laundry hung out on the main highway through town where everyone could see! Well, it was very energy-saving and no one gave it a thought then.

A lot has happened in 41 years. God has blessed us so much. We had Amy 5 years later and were busy with school, piano lessons, dance lessons, church activities, pajama parties, knocked-out front teeth. Amy's - she fell twice, and the second time there was no hope they would firm back up. At 4 she was toofless about 2 years longer than most preschool and kindergartners. Dogs, kites, Christmas programs, snow and sleds, skating parties - and her birthday in December, too.

Paul had a career as teacher for 30 1/2 years in the school system, and is in his second work endeavor - as mayor - this being his third term. He has met so many people in these capacities and always has a friendly hello for anyone he meets. He enjoys the challenges of what a day may bring, and impacted many young lives when he taught.

We've had so many good friends over the years and lost some way too early. I think in later years when we have time to slow down a little, or actually physically we have to, we realize more and more the true blessings of life. I'm so thankful for Paul - for his care, his good-nature, his patience, his love.

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart.