God is in CONTROL

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Marshall's Father's Day Tribute to His Pappa

Four years ago on Father's Day Papa Artie Bell fell in the the care center and broke his hip --by week's end he had gone to be with Jesus -- this time of year we remember him tenderly.



Artie Bell (My Grandpa)

His skin was browned by the Texas sun. His hands were calloused from endless hours of manual labor. Though he was not a particularly tall or muscular man, he possessed a calm strength that came from somewhere deep inside him. He knew he was stronger than others.  Even as his body and mind deteriorated his strength was palpable.

Perhaps his strength was the result of being raised in utter poverty, his childhood deformity or being the youngest of nine surviving children.  Whatever the reason, it led him out of poverty into a prestigious university and then around the world. It carried him through the depression, the Second World War and the loss of many that he loved.

Routine demonstrations of his strength could be observed at most family gatherings. As a child I remember waking early in the mornings listening to him do his calisthenics. I remember his outrageously painful diets. It was not uncommon to find him with a saw in a tree or working in his garden during the height of summer. In his mid 80’s he decided to spend his vacation with us trimming the trees at our home. He would not accept our help because it would have been unsafe for us. There was nothing he felt he was owed and asked nothing of others.

His strength transformed him into a fighter. He had an innate sense of morality that he defended. He would go up against anyone, whether it was his college roommate, commanding officer or the physician that had taken his driver license, there was no scrap he would stray from or problem that couldn’t easily be solve by a whoopin’. The slightest injustice was never overlooked. As a child growing up in South Caroline my father spent his Sunday mornings at African American services because church segregation was something that would not be tolerated.

He fought for those he loved. After seeing my grandmother one day from the back of a truck he started fighting for her. He relentlessly loved and persued her. When he received word on his air force base that she had been hospitalized from polio he left AWOL to see her. He was there by her side fighting with her through her attacks and eventual paralysis. He fought for his children, grandchildren, friends and the country he loved with the same relentlessness. He even fought for himself. He spent his last days on this earth planning his escape from the hospital. The last words he said were “well Terry recon’ I otta shake loose of this.”

 His strength was also the root of his kindness and love. He believed others needed his strength. He was perhaps the greatest caregiver I have ever seen. Whether you were visiting family member, friend or stray animal there was always place to stay and a meal prepared. Even though the occasional sexist remark was common, he modeled the proper treatment of women with kindness and respect. He woke early and stayed up late to tending to his wife’s needs. When she passed, he transformed the entire grounds of her cemetery for her.  He taught my father how to treat my mother and my father taught me.

Though he was an avid hunter he had a reverence for nature that would make your average "tree hugger: blush. The mountains gave him peace. He would wake up earlier and hike further to experience untouched nature. As a young child I spent time with him in the mountains. Every day was long and adventurous, we had to go further and explore more. He taught me how to shoot a gun, set up a camp, build a fire and most importantly respect nature.

As I grow into manhood and start a family of my own, I think of him frequently. I remember long rides in his old green truck and the hours of instruction on what in meant to be a man.  I wish I could talk to him again, hear his stories and listen to his instruction. He was the epitome of masculinity. He was part of a generation whose values have been replaced by a breakdown of gender roles, entitlement and excess. I wonder what battles that scrapper from south Texas would fight if were alive. Who would he defend and care for?   What would he think of all of the fatherless children that have become a staple for our generation?

As father’s day approaches, cheesy gifts will be given and jokes made at fathers’ expenses. These, however, do not do justice in thanking our strong masculine role model.  I’m thankful for the lessons he taught my father and my father taught me. From him we learned that there is right and wrong and when in the presence of the latter one should fight and fight like hell. However, he also taught us that a man’s strength is meaningless if not coupled with kindness and love.  
 Thank you, Papa.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Happy 3rd Birthday, Campbell Hope!




We wonder where the time went --all  those months of waiting and praying for your safe arrival --


We were remembering this week about that birth day three years ago when you popped your head out and checked us all out with a steady stare --- you still to this day carefully check things out with that same glance.

Oh little lady, you've come to bless and bring such joy ---


We're your "Nana" and "Papa" and hearing you say those words is music to our ears!


You show us the world through your eyes and

that deepens our sense of wonder. . .




WE LOVE

 . . . Hearing you giggle,

          . . . Watching you dance your heart out . . .

                       . . . . Listening to the songs you make up,

                             . . . Answering your endless questions... 
"What's that?" 
    "What's that ________doing?(a question about EVERY thing we encounter")
        "Where's God?" and  most recently, 
              "Can I Help?"

                                          

Early birthday morning -- look what C found!!!
The bike helmet was one of C's favorites!






AND we love praying for you daily, sweet girl!

Monday, June 3, 2013


Marshall calls it the 2013 Wedding Circuit --it's been a season of special ceremonies.

Our only regret is having had to miss my neice Angela's wedding to her fiance, Kevin's Knartzer Friday, May 10th in Peoria, IL. 
(School has black-outs times when we can't be gone and having been gone 4 days the week before for Marshall's wedding -- I had to stay in Tulsa.)  We are enjoying her wedding vicariously through the pictures we're seeing on FB.  I have to admit -- I have twinges of jealousy every time I see her pics.



Marshall and Katie kicked off the wedding season in late April






Deepak Chetty  and Annie Gerbig followed 
exactly four weeks later . . . .



and Michael Mitchell and Jessica Dobbs were the very next day near Washington DC

We have known Deepak Chetty and his mother, Geeta for 20+ years. A few years ago, he introduced us to Annie .  Both graduated from Pratt in Brooklyn and wanted to return there for their wedding.  So many of Geeta's family came from India and Australia and we had enjoyed many visits with her parents on several occasions, so it was great to spend time with them.
Erica truly enjoyed herself the entire week -- getting to be with all her cousins and devoted grandparents


















We counted 22 days post surgery  for Terry - (he talked the PA into getting him out of the cast early for this trip) and loaded up the heel brace and scooter and scheduled assistance at every gate - we couldn't have asked for more -- even security was a breeze.  

Saturday the weather was cold, windy and misty --
Terry rested, elevated and iced at the hotel while I took off adventuring in downtown Brooklyn- never mind that I have a few years on Bethany, she gave me lots of safety warnings- her favorite "don't carry your big purse, Mom."



Our hotel was right at the Brooklyn Bridge


hmm orange cones?  Are we in OK????




Most of what Terry saw was from a taxi window since his walking was limited- and he had to elevate it to keep swelling down and pain under control.
We found a great taxi driver who took us several places and told us of his 9/11 experiences

 There was lots of history right outside our hotel --we taxied to the Freedom Tower (formerly Tower 1 of the World Trade Center). We didn't have tickets to the Memorial or Museum so just a drive-by was all we could manage.

 I found the Brooklyn Tabernacle 3 blocks away and Geeta and her brother's families and I got to attend their morning service.  It was AWESOMEWONDERFUL!!!



On Monday afternoon we headed southeast towards Yorktown, VA. to visit with Terry's brother Dave and his family.  Because they were military for so many years - we never got to spend much time with Dave, Dolly, Chelsae and Collin. It was a wonderful time of catching up and embelishing -- I mean telling-- family stories.  We always leave our visits with them wishing we lived closer.
Dinner by the bay in Yorktown





T & I enjoyed spending time with our nephew and neice.
Both are such talented young people and we laughed talked and tried to catch up the past 8 years since we'd seen them


Retired Lt. Col. David Bell and Sgt. Collin Bell 

Sightseeing and lunch in Williamsburg









I shared with a friend many years ago that trips to family  link us to who we really are.  Regardless of how long you've been apart -- with family you can pick up where you left off the last you were together. 

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