May 23 – “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”

That old proverb has been around for a long time and attributed to many sources, including the Bible. However, research has found what is believed to be the earliest mention of it in an old Persian writing.

Regardless of who first said it, I think it certainly applies in the case of those poor folks in Oklahoma.

In 1999, they experienced a similar devastating tornado. I can remember how impressed I was when the follow-up news showed how the community had come together and rebuilt their community – bigger and better than ever.

And, now, they are faced with even more devastation. As I look at the scenes of total devastation – piles of debris – it is hard to realize that just a few days ago those piles of rubble were peoples homes, churches, schools, and places of business. It is hard to imagine a community being able to come back from that again. But they will because that is what we do – “we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.”

I usually listen to Radio Station WFLO FM on Sunday mornings. At 9:15 they present a program of music by the Morman Tabernacle Choir. On a recent Sunday, they opened with one of my favorite hymns, “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

At times of adversity, whether it be a devastating tornado, a mad bomber intent on killing as many innocent people as possible, a mad man killing innocent children and teachers as they were studying in their classrooms, or many more too numerous to mention, we all must dig deep within ourselves to try to find a way to deal with what is going on.

I recently quoted the old cliche, “America is great because America is Good,” and I do believe that the majority of our citizens are good and will continue to respond when the need is there-“as Christian soldiers, marching as to war”.

If you would like to help with the relief effort that will be needed in Oklahoma and other areas as they arise, you should check with your local church to see what their participation is. As of this writing (Wednesday morning) the local Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity have not yet organized anything.

Friends And Neighbors

On May 21, I attended the regular monthly meeting of the Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society. The guest speaker was James Edward Harris Jr. Harris' topic was “Growing Up in The Triangle -Kingsville, Worsham, and Hampden-Sydney.”

Mr. Harris attended the Worsham School, his father ran the gas station at Kingsville. He has written a book, Flight of a White Dinosaur. I haven't read it yet, but the pictures are very interesting. Some of you who have been in the community all your life will probably recognize some of them. Harris is 70 years old, so you might recognize him too!

The Abilene Homemakers Club will hold their regular monthly meeting Friday, May 24, at 1 p.m. at the Abilene Community Center. We will be working on our raffle quilt. Visitors are always welcome.

DON'T FORGET: On Saturday, May 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.the Abilene Community Club will hold a Spring BINGO at the Abilene Community Center. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing programs of the Community Center.

Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day – a day set aside to honor our military – past, present and future. On that day, at 11 a.m., there will be a Memorial Day Service at the Confederate Cemetery. If you plan to go, you should take along a lawn chain.

Also on the 27th, Bob Flippen will present a program on Civil War actions that took place on or near the High Bridge on April 7, 1865, particularly the death of General Smyth, the last General to be killed in the War. This will take place on the High Bridge Trail at 2 p.m.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Kendall Marston who will celebrate May 27 and to Millie Bonner, of Cullen, who will celebrate May 30.

If you have any news or announcements that you would like to share, please call me at 223-2271 or email me at kz5ro@kinex.net.