Bob - Thank you sir for your service to your country. No doubt your family is proud, but so is an entire grateful nation! Your family is very fortunate to have you share your wisdom and experiences. I know a lot of what my grandmother told me when I was young, although falling on mostly deaf ears at the time, came to ignite my soul later when I could understand and appreciate her great wisdom more. To this day, I live with those echoes in my heart every day! I hope you share much with your grandkids. Those gifts are life's greatest blessings. Love outlasts a lifetime! Robert Armstrong wrote: > Dear Armstrong List members, >   > In my computer there are several versions of a book that I started. I started it several times. I call it, "My Life, So Far." A couple versions are even in print, and a few were sent to my brother and sister and even some of my grandchildren. >   > Today is Monday, June 8th, 2008 and I have come to the realization that my life is probably changing as I write this. I must realize that recently I was diagnosed as having a condition known as Alzheimer's Disease. I don't like it, and sometimes I even admit to denying it. But...I know it's true. So, what do I do? I take the damned pills, and try not to think about it. But... it's hard not to think about. >   >                                                            ~~~ >   >      A woman who once rented a small house from my parents, while observing my brother and sister and I at play, remarked that she didn't think we came for hardy stock. My only comment on her observation is that there are two words in the English language which originate from our Scottish ancestors. These members of the large Scottish "Clan Armstrong" were known by Scottish term as "reavers" as they "raided" the lands and the livestock of other clans. They were also accomplished horsemen and wore chain mail armor blackened with candle smoke so as to ride undetected at night. Thus, from them, we get these two English words, "bereave" and "blackmail." >   >      I have lived a fantastic life. I have a priceless wife and four smart and very independent children. I have nine healthy grandchildren. I've been almost everywhere, visited forty eight of the fifty states, looked down at Niagara Falls, and down into the Grand Canyon, and up into Mr. Lincoln's face at Mt. Rushmore. I've crossed both oceans several times, seen the Temple Mount in Jerualem, and the statue of David in Athens, and been to Lenin's tomb. I've  vaccinated water buffalo in northern Thailand, shopped for cameras in Japan, and eaten mussels in Brussels. >   >      I've researched my ancestors as far as I can, and found that I descend from ruthless Scottish cattle rustlers. One of my great grandfathers, John Brown, was aboard the ship, William and Mary, which went down just off the southwest point of Great Abaco in the Bahamas. He and his family survived the wreck and he lived to fight for the Union at the Siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Mobile Bay. Another great grandfather, Philemon D. Armstrong also served in the Union Army and later fought Red Cloud on the Bozeman Trail. >   >      But, I still have important things I want to do.  I want to be important in the lives of my grandchildren. I want to tell them all of the mistakes I have made, so that they will not make the same ones. I want them all to go to college, visit places I have never been, and to make something of themselves. It shouldn't be too difficult for them, as they really do come from hardy stock. >   > Sincerely, > Bob Armstrong > currently in Houston, TX  >   >   >   >   >   > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ARMSTRONG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >