Worst Kids Gifts

B and H do not have college funds of the usual variety. Instead, they own cattle. They have their own little partnership where they feed some cattle in the west. They picked out the checks, but of course Daddy does all the management and the girls really don't know much else about it.

Yesterday, Nana, delivers two big boxes from the company the girls feed cattle with. The girls are beyond excited. This close to Christmas and a big box with just their names on it has arrived. "Can we open it?" They are pushing to see who will carry it in. H takes it to her room. We have to call repeatedly to get it brought back downstairs. Finally, Daddy gets it open. Hello 6 pound smoked beef brisket. Not the first choice of my almost vegetarian children. Welcome to the beef industry baby girls!

Legacy

In the spring of 1996, I was fresh out of college and more concerned with planning my upcoming wedding than the new job I had just begun as the Monroe County 4-H agent. Don't get me wrong, I had lots of ideas and excitement, but most of them were colored by the limited world of Extension I had seen in my home county. But, there I was thrust into the middle of a lively program with plenty of opinionated people. Even "my office" was filled with the history that was Monroe County 4-H. Front and center was Kela Lyons. Not her personally, but her many accomplishments. Lots of Kentucky 4-Hers hosted Japanese exchange students, but Kela went to Japan. Pick any project or event and Kela had some how done it bigger and better. Not only had she done all these things, but somehow managed to include everyone with her. She brought back gifts and art work, she shared her stories, and seemed to have made every one she knew feel as if they had a personal part in her achievements. Everything we did was compared to Kela. I heard about her wedding, her job, her life. Some days I wondered if her essence walked around the building at night. As a new face trying to make a name for myself and my kids, I sometimes felt discouraged that the bar was so high.

When Kela opened her practice in Bowling Green, it was almost a mad dash to beat down her office door. Subjects that are never discussed in polite company seemed to be overheard at every extension function as people bragged on the wonders of Kela Fee. Shortly there after, I moved on from Extension to deal full time with the infertility battle we were fighting and eventually on to adoption. My gyn at that the time was not as ready to give up the infertility fight and felt the need to discuss additional options with me at every appointment. My raw nerves could not handle this and so in desperation, I made an appointment with the famed Dr. Fee.

Past experiences made me a little leery. Most great people eventually read and believe enough of their own press that they make me crazy. Not Kela. She was everything everyone had said and then more. She talked with patients while they were still dressed. She remembered names and details and would ask to see pictures of my now growing family. She welcomed newborn babies into the world with a kiss and made even the most yucky exams more bearable with discussions of cute shoes and "mom" jewelry. She kept up with it all. As some of you all will remember, I began a bought with serious illness about the same time she was diagnosed with much worse than I had going on. Despite that, she apologized when she saw me in the mall. She was worried that my case had to be transferred and that something would fall through the cracks. She had so much to deal with and yet still worried about my little details. I have never been happy with a doctor since her. Plain and simply, no one will ever be able to live up to that amazing standard she set.

What a legacy. What an impact she has had on everyone around her from childhood until her last breath. No one is perfect. No one can do it all, but to leave the world better than we found it is truly the legacy we should all strive for. Without a doubt, Kela left everyone in her world, better for knowing her.

Recently Heard Around Our House

Brian: (laughing while L made funny faces) " What did we do before we had L to adore"

B: "When are we going to adopt another baby?"
Me: "Do you want another baby?"
B: "Yes, J would make a good big brother."

On a worksheet about communities by H
Question: What fun things can you do in your community?
Answer: In my community, I can climb on my cow's hay.

Question: Name two things that make your community a good place to live.
Answer: From my house you can see a good sunset and you can see cows.

While studying for B's upcoming social studies test
Question: What are two responsibilities of every American citizen?
B: " To pay taxes and ..... I can't remember the other one.
Me: " Yes , you can. We got to East Allen to do this."
B: "CAKEWALK"

Okay, perhaps one of our basic responsibilities is not to cakewalk for the fire department,and few people would probably list their community strengths as being able to see cows, but it sure makes me love the world I live in.

Advent Conspiracy

CPC Dinners

• 2 nights
• 325 people
• 100 children's gift bags
• 12 pounds of cream cheese
• 10 pounds of sugar
• 3 trips to the grocery
• 5 dozen eggs
• 1 cake thrown down the basement stairs
• ??? the number of times Kassie went out of her way to help me
• 1 child sick
• 1 1/2 days that Dawn could come to help. Of course this was also that day poinsettias came in!
• 5 daily Cokes to provide the sugar caffeine rush needed to get it all done

Huge thanks to all those who did all the table set up, potatoes, bread and salad, and endless other jobs I can never name. Especially my fabulous brother in law who spent two nights standing in the cold, grilling steaks to perfection. Whew, I am exhausted.