In My Own Write

I fly to help me accept where “Kary” has gone…… Several years ago, my beautiful niece Kary (a 35-year old wife and mother of three children ages 2, 4 and 5) unexpectedly died one morning at home. Her baby girl was sleeping, her two boys at school, and her husband was working at the hospital in Flagstaff, AZ. My distraught daughter, attending school at the local university there, contacted me. I only knew one thing to do. I needed to get there from Texas to be with my family and do so as quickly as possible. I began calling the airlines, thinking it would be easy to get an immediate flight. I called several (including American) but began to realize I would likely need to drive to AZ. The fares were more than I could afford. Something caused me to dial the American Airlines number one more time. The American agent (angel) sensed something gravely wrong within my voice. I began to cry. Shortly thereafter, I was on a flight within a couple of hours; I never felt the financial pinch. I boarded my flight, took a window seat, and became absorbed in thought. I never heard the voices of the pilot, the flight attendants, nor the passengers. Deep within, I wondered if I was just dreaming and that Kary had not died. I tried within my thoughts to comprehend the “whys” of her shortened life. I had wondered where she was. I stared out the small window of the plane as it entered a beautiful cloud bank. Suddenly, in the distance, I saw a figure in white, gently waving and smiling as she always did with those perfect teeth. Her shiny, long blonde hair blew gently against the clouds. I put my hand against the tiny window and waved back as I saw her ascend upwards and disappear. I blinked and wiped away my tears, then closed my eyes and thought, “No one would ever believe this, so it’ll just remain my special secret.” I offered up a silent prayer of thanksgiving. For it was at that very moment, I was able to accept where “Kary” had gone. Perhaps this may seem a silly or ridiculous story to tell, but it happened exactly this way. The encounter left an imprint on my soul. Without trying to commercialize this personal event, I can honestly say I have formed a kinship with American. And, I suppose I will continue to somehow believe, if I sit by that very window….I will see her again. M.Clary September 17, 2004

Happy Holidays From Texas, Y’all !! We both realize this greeting may be one of many “too-lazy-to-write-inside-each-Christmas-card” letters you’ll receive this holiday season. However, there is the option of not reading it. We will never know. Should you decide to do so, we’ll try to not to bore you with glitter. Let’s see…..what has been happening in the lives of two mature adults living on Farmstead Road in Fairview, Texas? How ‘bout eight (8) “At-A-Glance” line items? 1. Ron still is employed by our Town of Fairview, in the capacity of Director of Economic Development. Seems to enjoy “small town politics.” 2. Maureen, working for EDS the last 10 years (a PM in Workforce Planning & Management), will likely take the early retirement package offered employees, effective December 31, 2004. Her departure appears to be related to simply, “it’s just time.” 3. Ron and Maureen became grandparents for the first time in April of 2003, when daughter Marisa and husband Rand, gave birth to Rand “Kolton” Green!!! Soon, Little Kolt will become a “big brother” when a new baby boy enters their lives in January of 2005. Maureen will travel to San Diego for several weeks to “pretend she still knows how to care for a tiny infant.” The distance away from her family has been rough. 4. Maureen’s son, Marc, is now back in San Diego working for a travel insurance protection provider. He’s their web site designer & editor. He became tired of the cold weather in Boulder, CO…..said he “missed the sun and the ocean.” He’s still single and really likes being “Uncle Marty.” 5. Ron’s and Maureen’s health has had its ups and downs the past couple of years. Ron’s had two back surgeries, a tennis ball-sized tumor removed from his leg, and kidney stone surgery. It wasn’t pretty. Maureen has had so many ailments, they are not worth addressing in a holiday letter. We do know she DOES NOT have St. Vitus Dance, so that’s a blessing. One thing that has surfaced from these challenges has been her ability to correctly spell/pronounce every ailment plus relate the clinical specifics. OK, enough said. 6. Yes, Bob-The-Dog is still alive. He’s almost 13 years; snores a lot. Yet, he truly has been our “Texas Prairie Home Companion.” Thee best canine – and everyone knows and loves Bob. Our wonderful neighbors down the road (The Hinton’s) are his adoptive parents. Often, he goes to their home for comfort when we are cross with him. The sympathy he receives there……oh please! 7. Maureen continues to write and hopes during her temporary retirement to document a life’s worth of stories and poems. Son Marc already has designed a website for her creations entitled, “In My Own Write.” She also hopes to go through 10 boxes of photographs and organize them; then, plans to spend more time with her two wonderful sisters and best friend out west. 8. This past August, Ron lost his dad after a courageous battle with a severe infection from a prior hip surgery. It was a most sad time for the entire Clary family. Amazingly, his mother still runs the family business that has been part of their lives for more than 52 years. His dad was 81. Brother Neal and family still live in Selma, AL and sister Keven and husband live in Nashville, TN. That’s about it, folks. Here’s Wishing ALL OF YOU A Very Happy 2005 New Year !!!! THE CLARYS OF FAIRVIEW, TEXAS