The other day while going through some books and papers I ran across an old phone book with numbers from about 20 years ago. As I looked through the pages, I was saddened when I discovered that the book contained the numbers of several people who have passed away—brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and lots of friends.

So many memories flashed through my mind. I was reminded of couples who have since divorced and died, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and aunts and uncles who are no longer with us, and some of my cousins who were like my own siblings. How we all had such good times together and also got in trouble together. I can’t believe we climbed trees, swung on vines and repelled on bluffs without the aid of ropes.

I had an uncle and aunt who had an old hound dog. He would come and visit us alone. We would write notes and pin them to his collar. Most of that family is gone now, only one brother and one sister are left. As for my own siblings, I only have one brother and two sisters left out of seven siblings. They become more special as we get older.

Recently, the descendents of my grandfather Otto Drinkard met at Lawrence Cove to celebrate birthdays of our only surviving aunts. Their birthdays are separate but my Aunt Retha Morris is 95 years old this month. Her mind is a little foggy and she says she’s 100. Aunt Elnora Randall is 90 and can’t walk very well. We all had a great time and some of us cousins had the opportunity to see and visit with each other for the first time in years.

Life is so hectic we should visit more often. There were 38 relatives present and we all enjoyed lots of good food and fellowship.

Along with wishing happy birthday to my aunts, I want to wish happy birthdays to my sweet daughter, Rosemary Bartram on Dec. 3 and my son, Daniel Simmons on Nov. 28. Happy late birthday wishes also to Tyson Archer on Nov. 28 and Christina Drinkard on Nov. 25. Happy birthday also to Katrina Stark and Peyton Douthit, both on Dec. 15 and Tyler Drinkard on Dec.19.

I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as our family did.

Mary Alice Nelson’s family had a great time at their home on Friday. Enjoying dinner and fellowship were Sandy and Caleb Fields, June Nelson, Scarlett Graham and Rex Slate, a nephew from Birmingham.

Please put Dorothy Hoover on your prayer list. She is my blind lady friend. She had back surgery on Monday. Also remember in prayer my little aunts, my daughter Leisha and all of our servicemen and women.

Teresa Kinney had surgery on her foot recently. She is doing great. Her cast will come off in two weeks.

Journey Church is having a Christmas program on Dec. 17 and 18. Everyone is welcome.

Hubert Oden is going to celebrate his 94th birthday on Dec. 13. We all are hoping he has a great day. We’ll let everyone know is a party is planned.