Family and Friends

Sorry, no names.

I would first like to educate you on how my family and friends fit into this story.

Without their support, I would not have been able to stay sane. Some were there to help physically, and some were miles away to help mentally.

Remember, I was raised in Woodstock, so many were neighbors, childhood friends, and high school classmates.

Let’s start with my relationship to Mary Grace. My Grandmother Beulah on my dad’s side and Mary Grace’s mother – my Aunt Daisy – were sisters. That makes me a second cousin to Mary Grace and a third cousin to John B.

Mary Grace has two first cousins: one lives in Alabama and one lives in California. I know many questioned why I became the guardian of Mary Grace. Well, the cousin in Alabama had her hands full.  She has a special-needs child and her husband is in bad health, taking dialysis at home four times a week. Because of the distance, it was not feasible for the cousin in California to handle this responsibility.

Even though Mary Grace’s first cousins were not able to become her guardian, I worked closely with them and continue to communicate with them today. They were aware of daily activities and gave written permission to conduct a lot of necessary business. This family makes a good TEAM.

I have two double first cousins who live in Texas. Double first cousins mean sisters married brothers. Neat, right? So my mom’s sister married my dad’s brother. We are really more like sisters than cousins. When I worked in Jacksonville, I had some ladies come in my office one day and ask me, “Reta, you’re from Alabama. What does double first cousins mean?” I replied, “Well, not only do I know what it means, I am one!”  (I know the jokes about people in Alabama marrying cousins, but this has nothing to do with that.)

I also have a first cousin who lives in Orlando. He is actually on my mom’s side. He is not a double first cousin but is more like a brother. He was my rock and, of course, still is.

I have several special childhood friends, and, boy, did they step up to the task at hand.  One took Mary Grace into her home when she had no place to go. She also called me about John’s death and kept me updated on Mary Grace’s condition until I got there.

Another childhood friend also made a great sacrifice. It just so happened  she had recently sold her home and was looking for a place to move. She agreed to leave Alabama and move to Florida and live with us to help take care of my father-in-law. It could not have worked out any better since we had to visit Woodstock quite a lot.

There are new friends, too. Some have found me via private messages on Facebook, one I met at John’s grave, and others were John’s friends who I now consider my friends.

I will talk later about the Lawrences.

I really can’t name them all – just want to say thanks for all the help and support.

OK,— let’s keep talking.

Reta