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 The
View From Here
By Katherine Veno
Some special people...
There were more than 100 special people visiting the ranch this past
weekend. I just loved meeting all of them for the very first time, and
so did everyone helping out.
They came from Fort Hood in Killeen. Amazement is a good word for my
feelings. All of them had a story of loss, and they were looking for
solace and some relief from the pain.
Animals are special in so many ways, but to watch these children respond
to the horses, dogs, cats and other critters was so delightful. Kids
were running every which way, and loving every single minute of it.
Grandparents and counselors told me how wonderful it was to open the
ranch to this group of families who have lost someone in Iraq. It was
easy to do. I just said, “yes.”
We need to say yes to helping other people and not worry about ourselves
so much. The world would benefit from more giving and less taking.
My husband Russ and I want to thank everyone who helped us put this
event together, and all the sponsors who donated goods and services.
Kelly Holt put on quite a horse show for the children, so next time I
want him to do some trick riding like he used to do in the old days.
Nicole Harrison was the first one here with a little girl on her horse.
She was barely off the bus before this teen had her by the hand guiding
her to the hitching post.
Natasha Dare helped kids up and down all day. She saddled and unsaddled
and helped in so many ways. Her barrel racing and pole bending
exhibition was perfect.
Charles Gunderson brought several kid horses and led two at a time. He
helped adults and kids forget the loss of their somebody special for a
few minutes.
Cheyenne and Leland Kirschmeir did all they could from leading horses to
helping hand out goody bags.
Jennifer and Elisa Graham put together tables and helped with
photographs. They were invaluable as assistants.
Darlene Baumgartner brought over the cutest paint pony you ever saw and
visited with everybody. She loaned me a table when I really needed one.
Shelia and Donnie Rowan gave me pennants and posters for the arena so it
would look festive for the kids.
Sharon McGaney and Brisha Ward brought and served lunch. They brought
tables, napkins, drinks and cleaned it all up. Not a scrap was left on
the ground.
Tim and Pam Johnson sent their gentle gelding Skip. Scott and Keri Jones
loaned me their wonderful mare, Honey. They trusted me to take care of
their horses, and I knew the kids would love them, and they did.
Jean Moore has only been in Mabank for two weeks. She called me and
volunteered. She has the right spirit. She made everybody’s day a bit
brighter.
Tim Toole and Greg Jackson of Albuquerque, NM, are professional
photographers. They drove 10 hours to get here and 10 hours home. They
gave me all the photographs for free for use anywhere I please.
Other unpaid volunteers from the area were a great help in entertaining
and almost keeping control of the chaos.
Inviting the families of fallen heroes was an opportunity I could not
pass up. Putting it all together took lots of my friends saying yes.
They said yes to helping and yes to life.
HUGSS, along with CampLife, brought us so many special people. There was
a mother here with five sons without a father now, lost to war. There
were daughters and sons without fathers and mothers.
The soldiers who came along were so much fun. I was so glad to meet them
and shake their hands. Most had already done one tour of duty, but
expect to go back to Iraq.
I think I could make it even bigger, and get the whole community
involved, so don’t be surprised if I call you.
 Escapades
of Emily
By Emily Gail Lundy
A tribute to mothers...
What has been the most surprising, wonderful experience
of my entire life has been the achievement of Grandmother. I sometimes
cannot hold in the joy. And my favorite is the one I’m with.
Yesterday, because it had to be done, two of these older special people
and I went to a college below Austin to retrieve the oldest one of them,
and all of her belongings.
She has been living on the third floor of a dorm, which was emptying by
noon (and we were late.)
We took two carloads of her “things” to an uncle’s house in Kyle. Then
we returned to her dorm for another load, filling both cars again. We
arrived home, here, at 10 p.m.
Saturday, she returns with her “things” and moves into an apartment. I
am not available.
Another delight with our grandchildren was their instant love of their
grandparents, especially their grandmothers who adored them right back
and lived long enough to see great-grandchildren.
Tributes have come in for the grandmothers from our grown children, even
the ones they married. For this Mother’s Day, May 11, I copy one of
these tributes hoping it can be to you and you and you.
A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
A beautiful lady
Full of flair and grace.
We first met in 1975.
With her and Poppa I became alive
Never an unkind word spoken
or promise broken.
A Woman of Substance
she is.
Always helping those in need,
Often forgetting her own.
Such vigor and zeal for life,
Running circles around someone of 25.
A woman of Substance
Indeed.
The endless love for her only man,
Countless years she’s remained true.
They had something very special
That will forever be pure.
A Woman of Substance
for sure.
Felines and canines are her passion,
rescuing most from certain disaster.
They remain loyal friends
until the very end.
A Woman of Substance
a loyal friend.
Even though she’s in her eighties and
Concerns of health become weighty,
She will never be old in my eyes,
And her spirit shall never die.
Great-Mama to us all she’ll be,
a greatest role model to me.
A Woman of Substance
that’s she.
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