Brian's Big Day

Hello Friends,

Here is Trudy, age 28, ready to head to Willis-Knighton Hospital to give birth for the second time in her life. It's 7:30 Saturday morning, January 26, 1980. We sure hoped the doctors and nurses would be on duty in those magical moments of anticipation...and nervousness. I couldn't help but notice that the furnishings visible in this picture remain fixtures in our bedroom now...31 years later (I guess it pays to buy good stuff)!

Trudy was totally ready for this day. At Trudy's funeral, son-in-law, Kirk spoke of her as being perpetually "giddy." Meaning that she found excitement in every good thing she experienced...and giving birth was a phenomenally, magnificently great thing! She was feeling "on top of the world" as she hustled around getting things together, reminding me of calls I needed to make, and getting three-year old big sister ready to spend the day at Aunt Jo's house. I mean, you'd a thought we were going Disney World for all the fun we were having. Labor? No problem! We had both completed a course in "Natural Child Birth" and she knew what to do...and she had her "coach" right by her side. That's right, Coach Husband was going to be with her in the delivery room. I was already practicing: "shallow breath, shallow breath, deep breath...PUSH...PUSH! I had a nice rhythm and cadence thing that I just knew she'd be pleased with. Not sure why she told me to "can it," but I complied.

We drove up Pines Road till we got to Aunt Jo and Uncle Luke's house on Medallion Circle. Aunt Jo is the most uplifting person I've ever known. She was so glad for us and so glad to help with Wendy. She reminded me to call her as soon as the baby was born and asked if I had some dimes for the pay phone! I assured her that I had a pocket full of coins and her number would be the first call I made...so I could tell Wendy!

At Willis-Knighton, we knew the ropes, and headed to the second floor maternity ward to get Trudy settled in. We were pleased to see Nurse Adkins! She was the very same nurse who helped in Wendy's birth, three years earlier. We were in the ward just after 8:00 am. We had our natural child birth certifications and affirmed that Trudy desired to give birth naturally and receive no pain meds (don't ask me...I can't remember why that was so important to us). The labor went slow for a good long time, but about 1:00pm, the pains got pretty intense and Coach Robert was warming up to step in to really participate. As the moment of birth neared, I quickly realized that Trudy was undergoing unspeakable pain and that she was fully concentrating on my every word and instruction. She looked only and intently into my eyes as she concentrated fully on keeping that pain under control. Trudy was amazing and she did her job perfectly. At 3:13pm, the final push produced the birth of Brian Thomas Daniel...all nine pounds, five and a half ounces, and 22 inches...of all boy! He was perfect and healthy and his parents were happy, tired, and relieved all at the same time. There was a few minutes when child and mother were being cleaned up that I could go make some calls. I called Aunt Jo's number and believe it or not, Wendy knew it was me and she answered the phone. I told her she had a brother! She squealed with delight. We had his name picked out: "Brian" was a name that we liked that no one in our families had used, and "Thomas" was a commonly used name within my family, including my granddad James Thomas Daniel. What a great day for our burgeoning little family.

Mrs. Benoit, or Granny, as she was now known; came to our house for a week or so to help out with taking care of baby and mommy. My mother-in-law is the greatest. She simply handled everything with ease. I am blessed.

As the slide show to the right illustrates, Brian soon met all the family and enjoyed a wide range of experiences. One picture not in this group shows Brian's unique talent in crawling. He would not use his arms but would put his head down on the floor and crawl "on his head." I think it was the first evidence of a kid with a great sense of humor...always looking to get a laugh out of people.

Next time, the crazy move to Oklahoma City.

Blessings,
Robert

Brian, my only begotten son, your mother has loved you (in the best and purest possible sense) as only a mother could. There was NEVER a time when she lost sight of her unconditional, uncompromising motherly love for her son. She was so proud of the man, the husband, the father that you have become. You have seen the twinkle in her eyes as she doted on Meredith...I saw those same eyes,..sparkling and clear at those same stages of your life. My son, you and I have been blessed among men...by the love of our moms and our wives.

Trudy and Robert prayed for a son, inspired by the biblical story of Hannah and Samuel: So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him” (1 Samuel 1:20)

Anniversary Week Ironies

Hello Friends,

Just bloggin...'bout some experiences over the past week that have my attention. Saturday, November 6, our anniversary...okay, okay: I get that. Memories and emotions at high levels were expected. I was so glad that Brian, Jessica, Meredith, and Brodie were here with me.

I always gave Trudy a dozen roses on our Anniversary, so I thought I would continue that practice as Brian, Jessica, and Meredith accompanied me to the cemetery to place an additional arrangement of a dozen roses at her headstone. My mom always took some cleaning supplies to my dad's grave and would make sure she left the marker clean and polished. I have adopted her model and I swept and polished Trudy's marker before we left.

This week our local Baptist churches have worked to provide uplifting school assemblies and special evening services for the entire area. We have brought a special "muscle" team (Mega Force) to nearly 40 schools; with a message of positive attitudes and strong principles of good self-esteem to the students through high energy performances utilizing amazing feats of strength. At the evening services, attendees were challenged to adopt and live a life of faith in Jesus Christ.

Check this out: the first Mega Force performance I attended was Cherokee Elementary in the subdivision were Trudy and I lived most of our first two years of marriage. Next was Tioga High School, where Trudy taught Chemistry and Physics for twenty-one years. Next was Rapides High School were Trudy graduated in 1969. Next up was LSU-A, where we first met. Then, I conducted a service at Riverview Baptist Church, where her parents held their membership and we would frequently visit during our early married years. Today, I went to a service in the Sanctuary in which we were married, at Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church. And tomorrow, I will attend a special Mega Force service at Louisiana College...where Trudy graduated from in 1973. I mean...wow! Memories flooded my being as an unstoppable Tsunami.

I drove past our old house at 1720 Clover Lane, I walked the halls at RHS and wondered if my feet were touching some of the very places were Trudy's feet had touched. I went to the spot where I first saw her on the campus of LSU-A and then the spot where we first met. At Riverview Baptist Church, I related some of the profound life lessons that I had learned from our recent journeys through unthinkable struggles. At Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church, I assumed the position I had taken 39 years ago, and once again, I was transported to that knee-buckling moment when the organ sounded the approach of the bride and those doors opened...and I gazed wide-eyed and open mouthed at the astonishingly beautiful creature coming down the aisle to marry...me!

But I think the most incredible moment this week occurred at Tioga High School. You see, I have been reluctant to go back to the school...as though there were some invisible barrier keeping me away. Oh, I have driven by the school many times. I even went in the "back" side of the school to vote at election time. But to go in and talk to her peers, to go and see her room, to risk being disappointed that her memory might have faded all too quickly...that is something that I frankly dreaded. On this past Tuesday, I walked into that school...her domain...her place of unique identity. Her peers greeted me warmly and compassionately. Principal Bennett treated me as an honored dignitary. And I watched as the auditorium began to fill, row by row, section by section with students. Seven to eight hundred students eventually filled those seats as Principal Bennett strode to the microphone. She would speak to the students and bring me up to the microphone where I would then introduce the Mega Force Team as the featured guest performers. As she brought me up, she spoke of Mrs. Daniel and her legacy as a great THS teacher...the students broke out into spontaneous applause. As the applause continued, I was as moved as I have ever been. They Got It! They recognized the true value of this one who had taught them. This was indeed Trudy's domain...an educator par excellence...a dedicated professional...a friend to students indeed! Man, I tell you, I wouldn't take a bazillion dollars for that moment.

I'm grateful for the flood of memories this week...this week for gracious sake! But, Tioga High School students and faculty; thank you, thank you, thank you...for refusing to forget Mrs. Daniel. I can't tell you how much that meant to me.

I do expect that the next blog will be dedicated to the birth and early years of our son, Brian. Brian, hang in there, your BIG DAY was wonderfully significant to your mom and me...and I look forward to telling that story...

Blessings,
Robert

Memory Time

Hello Friends,

In closing the last entry, I alluded to coming stories of Brian's "Big Day." However, I just haven't assembled the pictorial accompaniment to that story as yet...so please allow me this interim entry.

During the three years, three months and 16 days between Wendy's birthday and Brian's birthday; there were lots of interesting events. Perhaps I can recount just a few things for you to be reminded of this incredible woman.

Shortly after Wendy was born, Trudy returned to her job as a billingclerk at the Atlas Refinery. Before returning to work, Trudy had been determinedly seeking out a child-care provider that would be suitable. Someone had recommended an elderly lady, Mrs. Palmer, as a person of impeccable character that only kept one or two children at a time. Trudy called her and she was available and would meet with us. Trudy was a little hesitant after she got off the phone, for she discovered that Mrs. Palmer was 89 years old, and she had some concerns about her being able to stand up to the physical demands of caring for our baby girl. But, she decided to go ahead with the meeting. I was unable to make the meeting but fully expected that I would find that the search for Wendy's care-giver would have to continue. However, Trudy came away from their meeting fully confident in Mrs. Palmer...a wiry and energetic near ninety year old dynamo. Indeed, Mrs. Palmer took care of Wendy for several years and then added Brian into the mix as a 92 year old child care-giver! Mrs. Palmer was a heaven-sent miracle for our family.

In my last entry, I mentioned Trudy's godly submissiveness. No "door mat" mind you, just a woman who was willing to take God at His word...in all matters. In short order after Wendy was born, I graduated from LSU-Shreveport, and worked for almost a year with KCOZ Radio before taking a great position with American Air Filter Company. During the time with the Radio station, I called on a business that did repair work on boats. The owner was a friend of ours from our church that had recently taken on this business. I discovered that he was working on a very interesting project...a 120 hp I/O ski boat. He had been going through that boat from stem to stern with a complete refurbishing job and was about to complete the job and put the boat up for sale. I showed interest and so he made me a great proposition to consider. Well, I liked the boat and I liked the deal...and I figured out how Trudy and I could work our budget around to make the purchase. All I had to do was convince Trudy! She listened to my plan and seemed modestly open to the idea, so I arranged a trial run at Cross Lake in Shreveport. We met the owner there and got in the boat and ran it through the paces. It was perfect! I was so eager I almost missed something...I needed to come aside with Trudy and have one final meeting of the minds. But, the owner picked up on that matter and suggested that Trudy and I take one more spin, stop somewhere on the lake to talk and make sure we were ready to make this purchase. I was already visualizing my ownership of the boat...where I would park her, how often we would take her out, etc. But when I looked Trudy in the eyes (yeah, those eyes again) I could tell something wasn't settled deep in there. I urged her to tell me what she was thinking. Here's something close to what she said: "Robert, I'm trusting God to lead me through you. So if you know that God wants us to have this boat, then by all means, let's get it." Well now, of all things...she had to go and get spiritual about buying me...I mean "US" a new toy!? I hadn't asked God about the boat...I just worried about convincing Trudy that we could afford the silly thing! I have to admit...we returned to the dock and I handed the key to my friend and reported that we were not buying the boat after all. Trudy never said no, was never argumentative, and if purchased she would have been supportive and all about making the best of having a great boat. She was...well...gracefully submissive. And we did amazingly fine without a boat in our garage! Husbands, if I could give you a tip...before you make a purchase or take off on any major decision...be willing to look deeply into the eyes of your wife and find a perspective you may otherwise miss.

A little over two years ago, we went on a cruise. It was our first and only cruise and we had a great time! Trudy felt well, went on four excursions (including snorkeling!), and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Here's one of those Trudy "moments" that is imprinted in my memory. The last night of the cruise, we went all over the ship taking pictures at all the memorable spots. We were walking by the front area where they had a mermaid. Trudy wanted me to take a picture of her by the mermaid. I was perplexed, because the mermaid wasn't all that memorable and the silly thing was topless...not exactly Trudy's style. Well I got the camera out and prepared to take the shot and saw that Trudy had taken her jacket and draped it modestly around the mermaid and then she gave me a 1000 watt beaming smile! Cost of the cruise: a couple thousand dollars. Great time with Trudy and memories galore: priceless!!

About one year ago, we were driving home from a Sunday morning service, a day after a big storm had blown through. We happened to pass by the Forest Lawn Cemetery (now the place of her interment) when she noticed that a huge tree had fallen across the exit road of the cemetery. She exclaimed: "Oh, look! Now they're never going to get out of there!" Then she started laughing at her funny sense of humor and I started laughing, too. In fact, I thought I was going to have to stop the car because we were laughing so hard I could scarcely see through the tears. There is no more fun memory for me than Trudy getting tickled at herself. Nothing more certain in my heart and soul than the reality that Trudy is not trapped in a cemetery...or a cancer-stricken body...or in an ol' hospital. She is "Alive, Alive, Alive forever more!"

I need to be focused on that today. Six months ago today, I had, I suppose, my last conversation with Trudy. It was her birthday. She stayed awake a goodly time that day and responded to questions...she even tried her hand at writing a message to me on a marker-board. She was surrounded by our love in those precious wakeful moments. Many of you were there...in prayers and compassionate love...in the dozens upon dozens of birthday cards, emails, and guest book entries...and in gifts of platelets, plasma, and white blood cells. I can tell you that we, her family, appreciate your prayers. In fact, I think the effect of your prayers is as needful as ever right now.

Well, thanks for caring and thanks for praying. Next time: Brian's Big Day.

Blessings,
Robert

Wendy...a new era for Trudy and Robert

Hello Again Dear Friends,

It's been a month since my last post. I suppose going that long hasn't been the best decision...as I have found my grieving to be more intense over the last few weeks. Writing our Love Story helps, perhaps, in counting the many blessings that have been experienced in our life together. And, man-o-man, what a great life God gave us...what a great woman He gave me in Trudy!

Let me digress for just a moment to illustrate the point. You see, there was a time some years back, before I transitioned to the ministry, that the ladies in the church we were attending were discussing the topic of biblical submission...a subject of varying opinions for sure...and someone had the brainstorm of suggesting that they ask Trudy to teach the lesson, because she modeled that biblical trait so beautifully. Now, let me relate something to focus on Trudy, so don't get ahead of me...some time later, I was told that one of the group had said something like: "well if I was married to Robert, I'd be submissive too!" I laughed out loud when I heard that comment...for Trudy wasn't submissive because of me!!!! She was a model of godliness and gentleness because of her deep and personal relationship with the Lord. Friend, she influenced me to be more of the godly man that I was supposed to be...not the other way around. Trudy Ann Benoit Daniel is the best illustration of godliness I have ever witnessed...I am thankful that in God's providence, I was privileged to be her one and only husband.

Back in those early "pre-children" days, we truly enjoyed our busy life. Constantly having friends over, going on weekend trips (like the one pictured to Six Flags in Arlington, TX), church activities, and being with family at every opportunity. During those days we had a nice boat that we used for Bass fishing and for water skiing. When we decided that it was time for Robert to go back to school to get his college degree, we made three significant adjustments economically. We sold the bass boat, moved to a smaller house, and Robert had to take a couple of years sabbatical from the Ditch Witch Trencher Company that he loved. During the first couple of years back in school at LSU-Shreveport, Robert had a variety of jobs...Sporting Goods sales at Montgomery Wards, Life Insurance, and believe it or not...armed Security Guard! You can't imagine the agonized look on Trudy's face every night when I'd become "Dirty Harry" as I'd strap on my "Magnum Force" sidearm and head off to the steel refinery to protect life, limb, and property with my menacing presence. Thankfully, nobody took my gun away from me and put hurtin' on my head.

Late in 1975, Trudy and I felt the time was right for us to begin the parenting stage of our married life. It didn't take long when, just barely into 1976, Trudy excitedly reported that she was pregnant. We were so excited and we began to plan how we would break the news...first to her parents...then to mine and then to the rest of the waiting world! We would drive down to her parent's house on Tiger Lake Road between Alexandria and Lecompte, Louisiana, and burst in the front door with our exciting news. Another case of "best laid plans" going up in smoke. We had driven for a couple of hours with none of that pesky morning sickness and were just about to the driveway, when Trudy said, "Robert! Pull over...NOW!!!" Well I drove through the shallow ditch in front of her parents house...I mean we were right there...slammed on the brakes as she opened the door, leaned over, and...well you get the picture! Apparently we made quite a commotion and drew her mother's curiosity as she looked out and saw us. She came running out and started squealing: "You're Pregnant! You're Pregnant! Yee Haw, you're pregnant!" Between gags, Trudy said in a throaty and quite disgusted voice: "Yes, and this wasn't how I wanted to tell you!" What can I say, we always did know how to make an entrance. It was so hilarious, it took better part of an hour to get our composure back and stop laughing. As you can imagine, her dad had to hear the story when he got there from the dairy barn, too.

Well the months of pregnancy went quite well. Trudy was radiantly beautiful and she got past the morning sickness and really felt great. She took some natural child birth classes and felt really prepared. The "due date" was to be October 3. 1976, but things weren't progressing as the date arrived...so we decided to help it along. On the night of the 3rd, we went to a loud movie: "Midway" a WWII film in "Sensurround" sound! We thought maybe the sound wave vibrations might get things going...alas...no luck. That lead to the next step...the old wives tale of taking, yuk, castor oil! Can't believe Trudy did that, but she gagged down some of that nasty stuff and waited. Can I just tell you that the effect was not the desired effect! Never again would we see that substance in our house!

In due time, she simply followed nature's course and on October 10, 1976, after 12 hours of labor, Wendy was born. There was plenty of time for the cavalry to arrive, too! While I was in the old fashioned "Father's Waiting Room," I thought it might be about time for Trudy's mom, sister, and sister-in-law, to get there. I don't know why they didn't just call my cell...but anyway, I headed to the staircase to stroll down to wait on them and show them to the waiting area. I opened the door to the staircase and heard the most excited bunch of giggling I'd ever heard. Vickie, Katy, and Mama pretty much ran right over my chest, danced on my head, and ran down my back before they even noticed I was who they were looking for! They were sooooo excited to get there and so glad they were in time. Me and Mama (or I should say from now on...Granny) were standing right outside the door to the delivery room when we heard the sweet sound of our Wendy's first cry's. In a jiffy, Nurse Adkins came out of the door holding this beautiful miracle...our precious Wendy. My heart just melted...right there in front of Nurse Adkins, Granny, and God Himself! I could not believe my eyes...this was our baby...the one we had been waiting those nine months (and a week) for. I was beside myself with thankfulness. Wendy was simply perfect and Trudy, though tired and sore, was beaming at the fulfillment of this awesome journey of childbirth. Once again, my love for Trudy grew.

We loved being Wendy's parents. Trudy did everything so naturally and perfectly as the ideal mother. It's an amazing thing, this thing called love. We gave our love fully to Wendy...yet our love for each other...instead of diminishing...grew to even greater realms.

Wendy, my wonderful daughter; you were amazingly loved by you amazing mother. At every moment of your life, no mother could have lavished more love upon you. She worked hard to make sure that she taught you and modeled for you the virtues of godly womanhood. With patience, poise, and a steady touch she was simply the perfect mom. Play, work, nurture, and learning were always in just the right balance.

Next time, could our love story grow enough to embrace a boy child?

Blessings,
Robert

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. (1 Samuel 1:27)

A Fender-Bender !

Hello Friends,

Ever have an encounter with angels? Well, we didn't actually see them, but I'm pretty sure that on December 18, 1973, guardian angels swept down and surrounded us with their protective wings. Permit this Excursus, prior to continuing with the subject that was promised in the last post.

Our friends, Lynn and Kat Todd had moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and were living in some apartments near our house. They were teaching at Stonewall High School, about ten or so miles south of Shreveport. Lynn had landed the Head Basketball Coach, position at the school and Kat was teaching Home Economics there as well. Lynn and Robert were incurable basketball fanatics that had long enjoyed a shared interest in that great sport. Stonewall H.S., didn't have the size or funding to supply Lynn with an assistant, but it just happened that Robert was a "wannabe" basketball coach that also happened to be available for service. So, it happened that Robert and Trudy were frequent attendees of the basketball games involving Stonewall High School. Robert would sit on the bench with Coach Todd and Trudy would sit in the bleachers with Coach's wife, Kat.

That is the background for the incredible event of December 18, 1973. Stonewall was playing a home game that night against Pleasant Hill High School, and Robert and Trudy would be there as usual...except...something extraordinary happened as they were on their way to Stonewall. We headed our 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle south, on Highway 171, to traverse the ten or so miles from our house to the school on that fateful Tuesday night. We had left in plenty of time for Robert to help with all three of the games (J.V., Girls, and Boys Varsity). After the games we would head over to Lynn and Kat's house for some refreshments and some rehashing of the games. At least that was the plan. About two or three miles before we got to Stonewall, "it" happened.

We were in a steady stream of south-bound traffic at a speed near about the posted speed limit of 60 mph, when from a side road to our left, a mid-sixties vintage Buick pulled right out across heavy traffic and picked our car out for an unavoidable collision! I remember that both Trudy and I hollered, "Watch Out!" at the same instant. The next thing I remember was the car rolling to a stop against the slight bank of the ditch on the opposite side of the highway. I tried to apply the brakes and I tried to steer away from the embankment...but nothing worked. Thud, we came to a stop! Now, my head was beginning to clear just a bit. The windshield was gone and the sheet metal of the car was all crumpled back toward us...I now remembered the Buick pulling in front of our path, and instantly, my entire thought process turned to Trudy. I looked to my right and scanned the passenger area...and I saw her...or at least I saw her blond hair. She was face down in the tiny space of the floorboard in front of her seat! She was totally motionless and initially unresponsive to my voice and my touch. I feared the worst. Thankfully, she began to rouse and I was able to help her to get back into her seat. Both of us were quite dazed, Trudy the more so as she was disoriented and groggy. It seemed only moments before help arrived and we were on our way to the hospital in an ambulance. We were treated and released with Trudy having only a few stitches needed.

Angels? Well, the next day I went to see the wreckage, and, oh my, I don't know how either of us "walked away" from that crumpled up mess! We broadsided one of the heaviest cars ever mass-produced, while driving in a...VW bug...and were barely injured and we had zero traumatic memories. The only answer I have is the divine protection of supernatural angel guardians. Trudy was spared, that I know! In retrospect, I can see that a moment could have changed everything. God granted me many great years with the "wife of my youth," gave us the the great gifts of Wendy and Brian, the special prayer answers of Wendy's Kirk, and Brian's Jessica; and the grand gifts of Daniel, Melanie, Kara, and Meredith.

It is a lesson that bears expressing to the best possible measure: Life is more precious than possessions, more substantive than fine vacations, and to be more treasured than status. Our life, Robert and Trudy's, was God's great and blessed gift. Man, nothing can top the simple assurance of knowing God's design for your life...richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to cherish and to love; till death alone shall part us.

Next time, the story continues.

Blessings,
Robert

You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with My Father in heaven? (Matt. 18:10 The Message).

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you; rejoice in the wife of your youth (Prov. 5:18 New Living Translation).

You Can Take the Girl Outta the Country...

Hello Again, Dear Friends,

This picture is on our first anniversary. Flowers, new dress, and dinning at "Herbie K's," home of the World's Worst Service! That was their slogan, but actually Herbie K's was absolutely our fav.

In the coming year, Trudy was about to find out just what she'd gotten herself into! Good times aplenty mixed with some "tie your stomach in knots" stuff thrown in. Let me start with some of the good.

Next up after our Anniversary, Christmas was just around the corner. We had lots of family and friends over and Trudy loved hosting get-togethers. She must have, I was looking over some of our calendar notations, and we seemed to have people over every weekend and some weekdays. All the busyness was a blast and served to help us grow closer in our sense of partnership in our marriage.

In the Spring of 1973, life continued to move a breakneck speed. We were teaching Sunday School to sixth-graders, Trudy was in her last semester at Louisiana College, and I was getting more responsibility at my job with the Ditch Witch Trencher Company. Trudy loved the simple joys of life...like taking my sixth-grade boys S.S. class out crawfishing. In fact, that was so much fun, we decided to introduce my family to the joys of crawfishing! This picture shows Trudy showing my niece Jacquie, the finer points of this unique activity. You may have read the post about my first glimpse of Trudy; well this picture is a
neat reminder of that for me...for if you could adjust the picture to have her hands on her hips, this would be pretty close...it's the way she could lean back and square her shoulders, and...oh well, enough of my meandering. In May, Trudy graduated from L.C. with a 3.0 GPA (I believe it was a smidgen higher before she married...lol). Next up was a rather big change.

My boss (and uncle) Luther Shackelford summoned me to his office. Bill Durham, the manager of our Shreveport office was also there. It seems that they were planning an organizational change that would involve me. Bill was moving from Shreveport to Alexandria, to become the company Sales Manager, and I was being touted to take over the Shreveport branch office. I was thrilled at the proposition and was highly interested. Uncle Luke inquired as to how Trudy might feel about moving to Shreveport? Well, I didn't know, but I was sure she would be excited...as I was! I was urged to take some time and talk it over with Trudy before I gave them my answer. Well, Trudy seemed to be excited for me as far as I could tell, and for sure, she had the whole "Ruth" thing firmly in her heart...you know, "whither thou goest, I will go; whither thou lodgest, I will lodge." Knowing Trudy was supportive, I accepted the promotion and began the process of relocating.

As part of her final semester of college, Trudy did her student teaching at Menard High School in Alexandria. After completing her requirements for her college class, she accepted a teaching position at the same school for the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, we had done some house hunting and with my promotion and Trudy being a certified and experienced teacher, we had no problem qualifying for a home loan and we made the leap to buy our first home. It was a lovely, brand new home in the brand new Silver Pines Subdivision off Jewella Road in the southern part of Shreveport.

All was well...or so I thought. Trudy finished her last day of teaching at Menard, and headed to meet me at the duplex we were moving into while our home was being completed. When she arrived, me and the guys that worked in the shop at Ditch Witch were almost through moving our stuff into the duplex. After we finished, and Ray and Lewis went home, I began to open my eyes to some emotion on Trudy's part. Seems that moving away from her family was not so easy for her. No doubts as to the fact that she was whole-heartedly doing the move...it was just tough on her. She really didn't want me to even know that she was struggling...all she wanted me to see was her support of me and how proud she was of me! But, transparency such as Trudy consistently displayed is a virtue, not a weakness. Once again, my love for her grew.

There was another difficult time surrounding our move to Shreveport. For the Fall, she had found a teaching position at a local Junior High School. As was typical for Trudy, she was excited and fully prepared for the first day of school. She was equally excited when she left for the second day. However, that evening, she didn't have much to say and when she left the third morning, she had an ominous feeling eating at her. When I got home that evening, she told me that she could not go back. I knew in a heartbeat that she needed my support in this and she got it all. She needed some time away from teaching. She did not return to teaching for fourteen years...just about the right amount of time for her.

I can tell you, that in spite of our awkward start in Shreveport, we absolutely enjoyed living there for almost nine years. We enjoyed worshiping at Brookwood Baptist Church, cultivating some of our most enduring friendships, experiencing the brith of our children, getting Robert graduated from LSU-Shreveport, and seeing our marriage grow in love and oneness. God helped us in all the adjustments we were experiencing. We knew that and were so very thankful.

Next time, "Who's walking down the streets of the city; Smiling at everybody she meets?"

Blessings,
Robert

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Dare to be a Daniel - Year One

Hello Again Dear Friends,

Here's the happy homemaker, cooking supper for her husband in her brand new apartment. Our first home was in Pineville, Louisiana, at 110 Julia Court.

We had leased the apartment, bought some furniture from H&H Appliance in LeCompte, Louisiana, from some neighbors on Clover Lane, and along with some borrowed pieces from Uncle Luke and Aunt Jo; we had the place all ready for our return from our honeymoon. Have I mentioned that I have episodes of clumsiness? Well, so much for the tradition of carrying the bride across the threshold of her new home! Now, to be fair, it was a physically challenging feat in that our unit was up about 18 concrete steps...but, I think I made a very shaky three steps before we collapsed in a heap. Trudy unceremoniously declined a second try as she entered the home without any further help from me! Sorry, no pictures of that moment!

However, the hill that we had to traverse also had a benefit. In addition to the Mustang, I had picked up a candy apple red, 1965 VW Beetle. It had a weak battery and being unable to afford a new battery, I simply parked on the incline...you guessed it...so I could release the parking brake, get her rolling, pop the clutch, and putter on through the neighborhood on my way to work. It was simply inspired for this couple living on minimum wage for Robert ($1.61/hr) and full-time college student, Trudy. A further economy measure that Trudy employed was to take a couple of classes from LSU-A, while she took the majority of her classes at Louisiana College. Even in those days, LC was EXPENSIVE.

Trudy had always been very punctual in getting to class on time...before she got married! Now, it seemed that she sometimes arrived right at the bell...or even a little late. For some reason, that seemed to provoke some good-natured teasing from her profs and fellow students. I can't imagine why.

My bride constantly found ways to amaze me with her transparency of heart and soul. On our first Christmas, we started our tradition of waiting until morning to open presents. We had zero mushy presents as we gave each other the things that were useful more than fun or playful. I sooo was pleased to get my red tool box...that I still employ even now! Trudy loved to sew and she used her skill to make clothes that saved her from having to buy some things...a very frugal young wife indeed. Well, youdathought I had bought her an expensive diamond when she found a brand new Brother sewing machine under the tree that Christmas morning in 1971. She was happy and cried happy tears and simply could not believe she was having such a spectacular first Christmas with her new husband!

We only occupied that apartment for six months before a nice change occurred for us. My dad had been working in Winnfield, Louisiana, for about a year before we got married. He would commute from Alexandria to Winnfield, stay a couple of nights in the old Winnfield Hotel, and so on, back and forth. Shortly after our wedding, dad, mom, and Marcia made plans to move to Winnfield. So, the timing was perfect for us to complete our lease on Julia Court, and then move into my former house at 1720 Clover Lane. We had special friends that shared in the newly wed experience at the same time...Mickey and Marlene Sawrie; and Lynn and Kat Todd. These were our really close friends in those formative early days and we were together a lot. We had them over often and did lots of fun things. One memorable excursion, was up to Monroe, Louisiana, to the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo with Mickey and Marlene. Kat was a home-ec student teacher at Alexandria Senior High School. One class, she undertook a lesson on marriage. She asked me and Trudy to join her and her husband in a panel discussion format to present our newlywed experiences to her high school students...hilarious moments...as we commanded all of our few months of experiences to sound like experts on marriage! Thankfully, that was one time I didn't stick my foot in my mouth too bad, and our marriage survived all of my bold statements of how to do this "marriage thing" up right.

Oh, and we had our first vacation during the Summer of 1972. Aunt Jo taxied us out to the old Esler Field Airport and saw us off on a flying trip to Washington D.C.. My brother Jack and his family hosted us for the week. We did everything we could pack into a week. Smithsonian Museum, Monuments, Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, and a Marine Corps Monument Evening program. We had a great time and were deeply touched by the patriotic experience.

We also bought our first new car that Summer of 1972. We loved the Mustang, but it had an annoying problem that I just could not solve...the A/C unit would build up some condensation that wouldn't drain properly. So, every so often when I would make a left turn, Trudy would get a shoe full of cold, nasty water dumped on her feet. So, when I'd had enough, I traded it in on a shiny new sky blue 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle. Cost was high for this new ride, though...about $2.600.00!! But, we were able to finance it for 36 months at $87.00 per month, so we decided to make the leap and we had our new car.

Oh, what extraordinary times for Trudy and Robert! We found married life to be a grand adventure of discovery and joy. Next time, the amazing events that would challenge our young bride in 1973.

Blessings,
Robert