> > ALREADY KNOW HER NAME > > The aroma of homemade gravy filled the air. > More food was laid out on the long brown school tables than I had ever > seen in one setting. The school cafeteria was filled with a mass of > people. They stood in close, intimate groups laughing and talking. > I turned to him. "I thought I was meeting your family," I said. > "You are," he replied. "This is my family." > I stared at the crowd of people as they came toward me, welcoming me. > They already knew my name. > My husband said he fell in love with me the night he saw my brown hair > flying in the wind. He was the first farmer I had ever met, and I was the > first city girl he had dated. He was a third-generation dairy farmer. Of > course, I knew where milk came from -- you picked it up at the grocery > store. > Now I was in a room with 150 people that looked and talked just like > him. > In the school cafeteria, an elderly man and woman sat on a piano > bench. She was large-boned and pretty in spite of her years. She had soft > blue eyes and a tentative smile. The old man tapped his feet in rhythm > with the music that played on the school piano. His skin was dark, worn > and smooth. He wore a white shirt and overalls. They were the parents of > 11 children -- 6 girls and 5 boys. The room contained the children, > grandchildren and great-grandchildren of this couple. > I watched in amazement as more food came through the door. In > addition to steaming mashed potatoes, ham and turkey, there were 50+ bowls > of vegetables, salads and side dishes. The highlight was the desserts -- > lemon meringue, chocolate pies and chocolate cakes, apple pie and cobbler, > cherry, blueberry, pineapple, coconut cream, strawberry and pecan pies. No > store bought crusts for this crowd. > Around us, kids played ball, roller skated, and generally hollered > wildly. But the noise from the kids didn't come close to the noise > generated by the adults. These people laughed, danced and played at the > dinner table. > One pretty young woman captivated her audience. She laughed wildly, > gesturing with her manicured hands. The older women around her collapsed > into laughter. One leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face, > "Quit girl, you're killing me," she cried. Another squeezed her legs > together, running to the bathroom, which only caused further hilarity. > Cowboy jeans and overalls with white, starched shirts held the day. > Every man wore boots. The men were tall and carried their wives' good > cooking around their middle. > One tall dark-haired man held court. A toothpick dangled from the > corner of his mouth, bouncing as he told a story. The men laughed with > this man -- my father-in-law-to-be. As the light caught his features, I > gasped, seeing a younger face of the elderly grandfather and, for a brief > moment, my love's face as well. > So many generations in one room. > How would I ever fit into all of this? > > This Thanksgiving, I have been an Eller for 22 years. A group of over > 200 meets in the same small rural cafeteria. Grandma and Grandpa are gone. > One of the laughing aunts has joined them. There are more kids than ever, > generally making noise and laughing. > The best part? > Being a part of these people. There have been good times and hard > times. I made mistakes adjusting to a large family, but worked through > them. > I learned that if I wanted something I had to open my mouth and say > it. If I waited until someone passed it, I might miss it. But I also > learned what it was like to have a family surround you when you find out > you have cancer at 32 years old, and to dance with you when you beat it. > > As I set my brownies from a box on the table, I glance up and see my > college-aged son leading a young woman through the door. I am captivated > as I recognize the look on her face. She looks stricken, and I hear her > say, "I thought you were bringing me to meet your family." > "This is my family," he replies, squeezing her hand in reassurance. > I quickly walk toward her, and the rest of the family follows. > We already know her name. > > -- T. Suzanne Eller O * O *O * O O * * O <º)(((((~((((((>>>< * <º)((((~((((>< missi

I would vote for equal shares (even if I were the one making the least amount per year). pat :@) [email protected] wrote: > A man has 3 children. Each child is an adult and has chosen their lifestyle accordingly, to suite their tastes. Each child had the same opportunity to have education, manners, social skills, and the like. Each child had the capability to work hard, broaden horizons, stay fit, have religious and moral mores. All three children are married, and have 2 children. The first child makes $125,00.00 a year. The second child makes $50,00.00 a year. The third child makes $30,000.00 a year. It is time for the father to make out his will, and he has a vast amont of assetts. He is considering dividing his assetts up using a theory of need. He has deduced that the third child should get a bigger third, since he/she has the smallest income, and would need it the most. The general consensus of the mother of these children, feels that each child should get an equal third, as it is not the fault of the first and second child, that the third child has not tried to reach his/her full potential, and is a slacker. She feels it would be another reinforcement of the childs lifelong position of "someone will take care of me, because I am the most needy." This is not Folklore or Homespun info., but it is about Folks and it is a Home life situation. Given the above information, how do you think the monies should be dispursed? I give my solemn vow--- this is NOT my family !!!!! Cece ==== FOLKLORE Mailing List ==== For questions about this list, contact the list administrator at [email protected] »§«:*Ž`³€³ŽŽ`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³Ž`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³ŽŽ`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³Ž`*:»§«

> Richiele Sloan (missi) > 2973 Ridgeway Dr > National City > California 91950 > > Erick Karcher > 109 Forest Lake Ln > West Jefferson > NC 28694 > > Fred Butts > 2176 Spencer Road > Rock Stream > New York 14878 > > Judy Nisbet > 23141 - 72 Ave RR8 > Langley, BC > Canada > V2Y 2R9 > > > > > JEAN PAYTON > 4951 ANCHOR WAY > Bill Covey 10809 Edgewater Road Fort Smith, AR 72903 Sharon Weber 4011 Butternut Hill Troy, Mi 48098 Pat Salisbury (Hoosiermom48) P O Box 1152 New Albany, IN 47151-1152 Angela Hallman 553 Red Dawn Estates Trail Vale, NC 28168 Linda Brousseau 6313 Bent Branch Court Temple Terrace, FL  33617

A man has 3 children. Each child is an adult and has chosen their lifestyle accordingly, to suite their tastes. Each child had the same opportunity to have education, manners, social skills, and the like. Each child had the capability to work hard, broaden horizons, stay fit, have religious and moral mores. All three children are married, and have 2 children. The first child makes $125,00.00 a year. The second child makes $50,00.00 a year. The third child makes $30,000.00 a year. It is time for the father to make out his will, and he has a vast amont of assetts. He is considering dividing his assetts up using a theory of need. He has deduced that the third child should get a bigger third, since he/she has the smallest income, and would need it the most. The general consensus of the mother of these children, feels that each child should get an equal third, as it is not the fault of the first and second child, that the third child has not tried to reach his/her full potential, and is a slacker. She feels it would be another reinforcement of the childs lifelong position of "someone will take care of me, because I am the most needy." This is not Folklore or Homespun info., but it is about Folks and it is a Home life situation. Given the above information, how do you think the monies should be dispursed? I give my solemn vow--- this is NOT my family !!!!! Cece

Happy belated Birthdays to you both love you missi > Both have already celebrated, but late cards are alright. > Pat White November 12 > 6083 Lean Avenue > San Jose, CA 95123 > > Fred Butts 18 Nov > 2671 Spencer Road >

So far we have one lady born in December, in fact she came as a special present to her parents on Christmas Day. So let's don't forget in the hustle and bustle of the season to drop her a note, send a card, or email her a card from Hallmark. Elsie Davis Dec. 25th 1713 Woolston Way Modesto, CA 95355 We have no other folks signed up on December list. Sorry. Send us your name,address and birthdate and well add you to the Birthday list. God Bless Fred Please Visit our Family Genealogy Site at: http://ampsupport.com/Buttsgen

thanks! pat :@) Happy belated Birthdays to you both love you missi > Both have already celebrated > Pat White November 12

Richiele Sloan (missi) 2973 Ridgeway Dr National City California 91950 Erick Karcher 109 Forest Lake Ln West Jefferson NC 28694 Pat White November 12 6083 Lean Avenue San Jose, CA 95123 Fred Butts 2176 Spencer Road Rock Stream New York 14878 Judy Nisbet 23141 - 72 Ave RR8 Langley, BC Canada V2Y 2R9 JEAN PAYTON 4951 ANCHOR WAY NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 Sharon Weber 4011 Butternut Hill Troy, Mi 48098 Linda Brousseau 6313 Bent Branch Court Temple Terrace, FL 33617

Tess was a precocious eight year old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn't have the money for the doctor's bills and the house. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother with whispered desperation, "Only a miracle can save him now." Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at the moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! "And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages, "he said without waiting for a reply to his question. "Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy a miracle." "I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?" Softening his tone a little, the pharmacist said, "We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you." "Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough,I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs." The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?" "I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money". "How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago. "One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to. "Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents-the exact price of a miracle for little brothers." He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need." That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. "That surgery," her Mom whispered, "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?" Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents...... plus the faith of a little child. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law...... (A TRUE STORY) I know you'll keep the ball moving! Here it goes. Throw it back to someone else who means something to you! The Friendship Ball A ball is a circle, No beginning, no end. It keeps us together Like our Circle of Friends But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship You've granted to me. Today I pass the friendship ball to you. Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you. MY OATH TO YOU... When you are sad.....I will dry your tears. When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears. When you are worried.....I will give you hope. When you are confused.....I will help you cope. and when you are lost.....And can't see the light. I shall be your beacon.....Shining ever so bright This is my oath.....I pledge till the end. Why you may ask?.....Because you're my friend. »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«§:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*: »§« My friends tell me that I refuse to grow up, but I know they're just jealous because they don't have pajamas with feet. Richiele 'Marie <*}}>< MSN [email protected] »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«§:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

Angela Hallman 553 Red Dawn Estates Trail Vale, NC 28168

it is that time again...copy and paste your name and addy Richiele Sloan (missi) 2973 Ridgeway Dr National City California 91950 Erick Karcher 109 Forest Lake Ln West Jefferson NC 28694 Pat Salisbury (Hoosiermom48) P O Box 1152 New Albany, IN 47151-1152

This was sent to the Candyman List. Wonderful way to make yourself feel good. I wish I lived close enough to help too. Linda Bee In a message dated 11/19/01 5:03:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] net writes: I wish I were close enough to help with this, but unfortunately I'm not. Thought perhaps someone on the list might like to help. Feel free to forward it on anywhere you feel might be helpful. Catherine The Angel Project Needs YOU!! We are overwhelmed. Our request for hand-made angels (to show support for September 11th victims' families, New York firemen and policemen) has clearly touched the hearts of many, many Americans and kind-hearted people all over the world. Two months ago when Clapper Publishing began The Angel Project, we hoped we would receive one angel for each person who had died on that day - 5 to 6 thousand. To date we have received over fifteen thousand angels - and every day's angel delivery is larger than the day before. On November 15 alone we received 3,843 angels! We are desperately in need of volunteers to help come to our office, open the angel boxes, count them, and log the names and towns of the donors. (We're in Des Plaines, Illinois - very close to O'Hare airport. 2400 Devon, just west of River Road, Suite 375.) Organizing an angel group of 3-10 people to open the angels for 2 hours is the ideal but individuals who can donate as little as 1 hour is helpful, too. We will accomodate the hours you choose, and day, any time. We will be collecting angels and preparing to bring them to New York through mid-December - and we need help every single day until then. Opening a box of angels is like no other experience. Reading the notes, prayers, and wishes of those who have made each angel is very touching. Some are real works of art. All are works of heart. Please be an angel. Help with The Angel Project as we reach out to help others heal. This could be the perfect service project for your group! Please contact us with the available date(s) and time(s) you can come to open angels, the number of people in your group, and name and number for your group's contact person. We'll sign you up! Complete instructions will be available when you arrive. Heather Fox, email [email protected] (Tel) 847-635-5800 x272 "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." http://www.theangelproject.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Download Angel Patterns - dozens to pick from... http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?craftideas+YLxxYh+chrisan.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Angel Crafts Magazine - LIMITED SUPPLY... http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?craftideas+YLxxYh+ancraf19.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FREE PROJECT: Mayflower Bread Centerpiece Looking for a last-minute centerpiece you can make with the kids? This one's easy and fun, and you'll probably already have most of the supplies on hand. http://www.craftideas.com/ccci/articleDetail/0,1009,1354,00.html

> Richiele Sloan (missi) > 2973 Ridgeway Dr >  National City > California 91950 > > Erick Karcher > 109 Forest Lake Ln > West Jefferson > NC 28694 > > Fred Butts > 2176 Spencer Road > Rock Stream > New York 14878 > > Judy Nisbet > 23141 - 72 Ave RR8 > Langley, BC > Canada > V2Y 2R9 > > JEAN PAYTON 4951 ANCHOR WAY NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 Sharon Weber 4011 Butternut Hill Troy, Mi 48098 When friends meet, hearts warm...proverb

Love this stuff Erick Sharon When friends meet, hearts warm...proverb

JEAN PAYTON 4951 ANCHOR WAY NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Nisbet" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 5:20 PM Subject: [FOLKLORE FAMILY] Christmas Card list > Richiele Sloan (missi) > 2973 Ridgeway Dr > National City > California 91950 > > Erick Karcher > 109 Forest Lake Ln > West Jefferson > NC 28694 > > Fred Butts > 2176 Spencer Road > Rock Stream > New York 14878 > > Judy Nisbet > 23141 - 72 Ave RR8 > Langley, BC > Canada > V2Y 2R9 > > > > > ==== FOLKLORE Mailing List ==== > Listresses > Missi [email protected] & Kath [email protected] > »§«:*´`³¤³´´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« > >

Bill Covey 10809 Edgewater Road Fort Smith, AR 72903 Previously From: Route 1 Pea Ridge Watson, AR Bill Covey Fort Smith Little Theatre Site: www.fslt.20fr.com Author of: Watson Is Where It Wuz Personal Site: www.billcovey.itgo.com

Both have already celebrated, but late cards are alright. Pat White November 12 6083 Lean Avenue San Jose, CA 95123 Fred Butts 18 Nov 2671 Spencer Road Rock Stream,NY 14878 God Bless Fred

Fred Butts 2176 Spencer Road Rock Stream New York 14878 ----- Original Message ----- From: "ErickJ Karcher" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 4:59 PM Subject: [FOLKLORE FAMILY] Christmas card list chooo choo > it is that time again...copy and paste your name and addy > > Richiele Sloan (missi) > 2973 Ridgeway Dr > National City > California 91950 > > > Erick Karcher > 109 Forest Lake Ln > West Jefferson NC 28694 > > > ==== FOLKLORE Mailing List ==== > Listresses > Missi [email protected] & Kath [email protected] > »§«:*´`³¤³´´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« >

it is that time again...copy and paste your name and addy Richiele Sloan (missi) 2973 Ridgeway Dr National City California 91950 Erick Karcher 109 Forest Lake Ln West Jefferson NC 28694

FOLKLORE FAMILY!!!!! angie happy dancing!!!! I sure missed you all. How is everyone? angie