This is where I talk about the purpose of the newsletter, and how important it is for folk to see it as a forum for the discussion of how we are living our lives. Frank discussion and sharing of the challenges we face and the lessons learned may be just the thing that's needed by someone you love.

I am convinced that we must tell our own stories. We must share information and ideas that lift us in the direction of our goals. Our children and our children's children need to know their history. If we won't tell the stories who will?

As an opening discussion, let me share the following observation:

Growing up in Mama Channie's house was a wonderful childhood experience for me. I didn't think so at the time. But as I grew older and heard the horror stories of childhood from friends and associates, I realized that I grew up in "heaven" without really knowing it.

God has been blessing us all for a long time. We've had our share of tragedy and sorrow. And through it all the fact that it's just life happening keeps shining through. God is good!

Here's something you can all help me with. As a child I can remember the women in the McDaniel family craving "red clay dirt" from Oklahoma during pregnancy. I've often wondered, why?

Aunt Vieva made the search for just the right pieces of "dirt" an art form. She didn't just scoop up any old piece of dirt she came across as she straddled a garden row. She had strict standards, and as a young lad I was simply intrigued by it all.

Let me know what you think.

Love & Light