For A Devoted Reader......

To be honest, I realize the delay in my posts.....and again, to be honest, there has been one post which I have been neglecting to write. It's not that I didn't think the subject was worthy, because she is more than worthy of her own post....I suppose it's just that I haven't wanted to confront the subject (and that's being truthful).

This Winter we lost a grandmother, mother, wife, sister, aunt, reader (occasional poster) and friend. My aunt Lola Clatt passed away after a long battle with cancer, which had it's ups and downs. Sadly she had been struggling for the past few months and ultimately cancer claimed her life.

To put it simply: Lola was an amazing woman. She was caring, honest and always willing to lend a hand when needed. I'll always remember one of the first times I walked into the office she worked at in Indianola and she asked me if I'd seen her "brown ass" yet. I was a bit taken aback and surprised and then of course she showed me the picture of her new donkey (she had it framed on her desk).....this is one of my favorite memories.

I will also always remember her for her kindness. For two years she would pick me up after high school soccer practice in Indianola and then drive me the 20 minutes home to Lacona (passing her own house 10 minutes into the drive). She did this every Monday-Thursday for two years. Her only request was that I would come and mow her lawn....just once.

Now those of you that know me, know that I tend to procrastinate. I always said, "Sure, yeah, no problem. I'll be there!" And I wasn't. : ) I even tried to get my father to pay my debt for me, but he was paying off his own debt (she let him stay in the guest room when he would come visit and in exchange he would mow and help around the house).

Finally, about two years ago, I made good on my debt. I helped her and Butch bale hay one afternoon. To be honest, it was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. My arms felt like jello and I didn't think I'd be able to lift anything for a week.

I came back for the funeral during the winter and I'll be honest....it was cold (way too cold for me). However, it's not the cold that stood out to me, but instead, my uncle Butch (Lola's husband). Butch was the epitome of strength during that trip. Without a doubt, he had just lost one of the most precious people in his life and he was nothing but humble, gracious and accommodating. He welcomed folks into his home, shared stories, recounted Lola's last moments, all when it could have been much easier to just hole-oneself up and want to be alone. I couldn't believe the strength I saw in him during those days and it will be one of the memories that sticks with me through the years.

I'll be honest, I miss Lola already. Sure, we didn't talk daily, weekly, or even monthly, but I miss her comments on here (telling me to hurry up and post something or sharing her thoughts). I'll miss chatting with her at the family reunions (I actually got the call for my job here in Kentucky at her house on the 5th of July last year). She was always supportive. I hope that the next time I head back to Iowa, Butch won't mind if I stop by and chat for a bit. I also hope he'll let me help with the hay.

God Bless