Happy Holidays December 2004

 

 It has been another busy year for us in Middleton. For country gals, Mom and I did a lot of gallivanting.

I have had a hectic schedule of clubs, church, and special events. I was elected president of our property owners association for this year; continued to serve as president of the Nifty Needle Club; had a second term as vice president of the national Navy Nurse Corps Association; and remained secretary of the Middleton Community Library board of trustees. If that wasn't enough to keep me busy, I was a member of the Middleton Women's Club; the Hardeman County Association for Preservation of TN Antiquities; and the county garden club. All groups seemed to be involved with frequent meetings and special projects. Mom attended many meetings and events with me.

In addition, Mom and I had to keep up our ballroom dancing; and I joined a Praise Choir for the new contemporary worship service started at our church in Collierville. So, we had a lot of travel back and forth to Memphis.

 Somehow, I managed to meet a wonderful man from Paragould, AR, in July. His name is Gary Lee McClure and he is my age. It didn't take us long to fall in love, and in August we became engaged. Gary asked Mom for her permission to marry me, and Mom promptly said "Yes". September 22, we took our marriage vows before the minister at my church and planned a formal wedding service for family and friends to be held on New Year's Eve day, December 31, 2004. The service will take place at 2 PM, with our grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as our attendants. You are invited to join us if you're able. (No gifts.)

Gary has four children and nine grandchildren, and he is close to all of them. We went visiting in September to meet each other's family members. All our children and grandchildren have been very supportive and positive of our plans. We will live in my house in Woodrun. Gary has already worked for two months at both my house and Mom's to clear the wooded areas and extend the grassy yard.

 My son, Skip and his family moved back to Portsmouth, VA, where Jonna is stationed at the Navy Hospital. Grandchildren Anne, Mac, and Ashley are excited to have a new granddad and cousins their own ages. 

Mom has spent time with my brother Stuart, who moved from California to St. Louis last spring. He is the sales manager at a lovely senior assisted living facility. Mom stayed there in May and September while I was traveling. She made a lot of new friends and really enjoyed herself. I don't know that she's ready yet to entirely give up her home, but, she definitely loves staying in the assisted living home. She has also just had cataract surgery on both eyes and is seeing much better now. We will celebrate her 87th birthday in January.

Three of Gary's children and their families were here for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful three days of getting to know each other better. Now we are getting ready for our own wedding. What a terrific way to end the year.

We wish you each Love, Peace and joyous Blessings during this holiday season and in the coming year.

Merry Christmas, Bonnie and Gary McClure, And Mom - Becky Harding PS: We have a new E-mail address bonnie@bgmcclure.com