Barbara Unitis -Horton

We have lived southwest of Austin on our 20acre "spread" in a home that Barbara designed and we built in 1972. The city is encroaching, but we love the space, the trees, the creek running through and the wildlife that abound. Retirement has meant -- more cedar cutting, catching up on projects, and more time for enjoying family. Allergies have put a damper on my singing, but I still yodel in the shower. I teach a weekly Bible study. Gene and I are still madly in love. What a guy! I write quite a bit. In 2009 I was diagnosed with a roaring case of CML (leukemia). My prospects did not look promising, but God had others plans for me. I have been a guinea pig for an experimental drug (Ponatinib) which has kept me going. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Life is good and very busy.

Everyone needs to feel as if they matter. I recall going into the restroom one day during class. One of our classmates who took her own life years ago was in there smoking. I greeted her and then asked, "P--, tell me why you dye your hair green, cut classes, and do the wild things that you do. Aren't you afraid of getting a really bad reputation?" She replied, "It's like this: I'd rather have a bad reputation than no reputation at all. I want to be noticed and remembered for something --anything!" I will certainly always remember her and her words and the impact it made on me to try to SEE and recognize everyone as a human being who needs to be noticed.

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