What Really Matters, According to Me

Since 2003, when I moved away from Harwood, Texas, I've been back to visit family only a few times each year. The reasons for my leaving my childhood hometown were sound and I have no regrets, and though six years away have brought me back only a dozen times or so, I have visited Harwood more times in the passed two weeks than I have in the passed two years. The road between my house and Grandma's house is long, winding and rough. It passes through two small Texas towns with miles of two-lane old Texas roadway in between. Over hills, around curves, passed cattle, horses and chicken farms; it takes about an hour to get to Grandma's house. It is such a chore to get all of the kids ready to go; snacks, diapers and wipes, a movie to watch on the way, a bottle for the baby, and don't forget the football and air-soft guns... it is a long road between here and Grandma's house, and when we get there, we all need something to do after the first few minutes of visiting in the...

How I Love Her by SRW As the tired sun falls down Long shadows lace the ground And I wander to a time long passed away... Dim evenings years since passed Since my youth, long gone alas! ‘Twas a time my mother kissed all fear away. Do I still see her dear face there In the shadows near the chair Where she held me close to sing me fast asleep? Her quiet melody; A special song she sang for me In a tone so low, and slow and ever sweet... Now time has long since flown. Here am I alone Only pondering the joy of long ago When shadows held no fear For me, with Mother near. How I loved her, and I wonder... did she know? October 22, 1987 revised 11 October 1999 I sang to my mother as she lay upon her death bed. It was a tender, sweet and spiritual experience for me. How grateful I am for those moments beside her bed to say good-bye. Many of my written works, through the years have been inspired by my mother. Mom's great work in this life was family history. Keys to the Gate by srw 30 Dec 19...

Aurale (Lee) Huff 21 October 1927 – 9 January 2010 Aurale (Lee) Huff of Harwood, TX, passed away early Saturday morning at Seton Medical Center-Hays, in Kyle. Services were held at the Harwood Cemetery, Sunday, January 10, 2010. She was born in Harwood to Walter and Iva Huff and was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Walter Huff, Jr. and Wayne Huff; her sister, Martha Lewis; a son, John Holbrook; a daughter, Melinda Antuna, two granddaughters, Heather Windham and Carrie Antuna, and great-granddaughter, Kindra Albert. Being mechanically inclined, at the age of 25, Lee rebuilt a Hillman-Minx automobile engine with no help other than instruction from her father, who had built airplanes in Harwood while she was a small child. Lee learned her trade in the family newspaper business and, known as a “tramp printer,” travelled across the United States working in newspapers in Houston TX, San Francisco CA, Cincinnati OH, Detroit MI, Modesto CA, and San Antonio TX, where...

When I was young, I liked to write. When I feel brave enough, I plan to post some of my stuff, from time to time. Here's something from somewhere in the 1980's or early 90's. Her Blanket by srw She sat up all night long sewing her blanket. It was worn, for the years had been cruel. It had been red and purple, blue and gold--all of the colors one might find in a meadow on a sunny day in springtime. But now it was nearly all gray. The excitement of life almost all lived out of it. When long ago she first sat down to piece it together, she was young and extraordinarily fair. Every boy in her small country town hoped that blanket would eventually be his. But she could see nothing in any of them...nothing to inspire the creation of such a magnificent blanket. No, she was crafting it, saving it for Him... the only boy who could draw from it every last drop of love and warmth...the only boy who could wrap himself up in it, head to toe... it was going to be His blanket. And h...

Dearest daughter, Charity, I'm thinking, now, that you are sleeping, about how I missed an important opportunity tonight. I missed your last eleven year old prayer. I was (am still) feeling poorly and didn't even remember to get your last eleven year old hug and kiss :( I did, just now, go into your room and wake you up a little bit to kiss you and hug you. You might not remember, though. I feel so sorry I let that moment pass tonight-- to hear your prayers and to hug and kiss you while you were awake. You are so important to me and I love you so dearly, I feel sad I let a moment get away that can never be recaptured. It's like what we were talking about tonight-- how you never know how much time you have with someone, so you should cherish each moment. Time passes so quickly, and too soon you will be grown and married with your own children... believe it or not :) I want you to know how much I love you, and how grateful I am that Heavenly Father sent you to me to be my dau...

Disclaimer: No offense is intended. Every circumstance in life requires unique measures to meet it's need. The writer, in no way, presumes to know the best course of action for every family situation. Only through careful prayer and consideration should any and all major family decisions be made. Having said that: I was talking with a sweet friend of mine tonight. I was reminded of something I read in a book once that all people need a strong relationship with a woman. For a man, this relationship is fulfilled with his mother, until he marries, then the fulfillment comes through his relationship with his wife... as it should be. A man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife, right? Not only does a man need a healthy relationship with a woman, but women, too, need each other. Lucky women find enrichment and contentment in their mother-daughter bond shared with their own mothers. Some women have a best friend. Some are content in the relationships they share wi...