Billie Hundley (Linnane-Miller)

Marianna it was nice to read your most recent post.... it sure hit home for many of us!  

I don't post on the forum often, however I do check-in frequently and enjoy catching-up with classmates. I know Peggy and Marianna have been working on the Vegas Party non-stop for the past several months, it promises to be an awesome weekend for all.  Many thanks Peggy and Marianna, we appreciate all your efforts.

My youngest daughter Becky, moved to Connecticut with her husband and my two precious granddaughters, Riley and Katie.  It's been a difficult adjustment for me, I miss my little granddaughters terribly.  Although we have many visits and outings planned for the coming months, it's just not the same without the children close to home.  Life is all about making changes and learning to adjust accordingly, err, uh, that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

I hope all of you are doing well these days, and that life is good to you!  Have a wonderful summer, stay happy and healthy.

Billie

Marcia Kraft (Barringer)

Lynne --- You're right.  Mother's Day is going to be very difficult for you this year.  In fact,  all of the "first" holidays throughout the coming year without your mom are going to be tough.  Not to say you will ever stop missing her, because you won't, but as time goes on you will be able to think back on all the great memories and begin to enjoy the various holidays again and even laugh when you think of a fun time you shared with your sweet mom.  I'll be thinking about you...

Sandra Harris (Lint)

Lynne,....My Dad died when I was 36.  One day he was fine..the next he was dead from a massive heart attack.  We were in shock and I thought I did'nt have a chance to say anything to him and tell him goodbye.  We moved to Arizona and my Mom's sister and husband moved here as well from Texas.  They had lived in Calif when I was a kid and my Uncle was like another Dad to me.  After my Dad had died he was the strength in our family ( other than my Don who is wonderful ).  In May of 98 Uncle Floyd was told he had liver cancer.  We were all ill with concern and shocked.  Six weeks later on June 23rd he finally deceided he couldn't stand the pain any longer and went "home."  In that six weeks time I cried every morning in the shower so my kids wouldn't hear me.  I thought well at least I can tell him goodbye unlike with my father.  It was horrible (like with your Mom).  Every day wondering what might happen.  Hi s sisters and brothers came for a goodbye weekend and that tore me up.  His sister sat on the floor with her head on his lap and cried so hard the chair wobbled.  How sad to know you're dying and these family members are crying all over you.  He actually consoled them!  My point is, I think...Dad died suddenly and I thought how unfair, I'd of liked to say goodbye,  then Uncle Floyd went slowly and the goodbye was so painful I could hardly bear it.  You know what..I've learned it's horrid either way.  I guess we need to celebrate their life! We miss them and a part of us will never be the same but with time it gets a little easier...I think. ......Love to you and all others...Sandi

Pat Kuester (Bowen)

My husband and I both lost our dad's while we were in our teens.  My husband's dad died suddenly; my dad was sick for two years.  He used to say it's worse to lose someone suddenly, that at least you had the time to spend with them knowing what was to come.  I disagreed saying it was terrible to have to watch someone suffer and struggle to stay alive because they didn't want to leave their young family.  Sandy, you are correct either way is "horrid".  Losing a loved one is difficult whether expected or unexpected.  We need to realize (which at this stage of our lives I'm sure we all do) (maybe not so much when we were 16) that death is inevitable. 

There was a time in my life that I was attending a funeral of a loved one every other year.  I've lost loved ones from the age of 4 to 84.  I've lost cousins in their 30s and best friends in their 20s.  In my life death has become very mundane.  I'm not saying that I don't feel sadness or a sense of loss and emptiness, but even when it's an unexpected death I have a feeling of acceptance and complacency.  It sounds and seems very callous, but I've had so many loved one die that I've accepted this as just a part of our short existence on this earth.  We have joys and we have sorrows. 

I think what we need to do is remember and cherish our loved ones, meaning the ones still with us and the ones who've moved on.  We also need to remember that one day it will be our turn.  I think that that truthiness is exceptionally hard to accept.  I hope that when that time comes for all of us that we are ready.   

Now all I have to do is remember these words when Mom wakes me up at 5am after 4 hours sleep or when she won't take her pain medication until she is in severe pain or asks what time it is 2 minutes after asking the same question or won't eat anything then thinks she's going to get stronger....  You know what, it's just not going to happen.   I'm going to keep irritating her and she's going to keep irritating me.  But so long as we know we love each other and care about each other that's just okay.

Sandra Harris (Lint)

My dear friend Pat,  I do think you are in the wrong profession.  You need to be a therapist.  I can accept my Mom going and the aging aunts I have left.  The one person I can't bear to think of losing is my Don.  And god help me if something happens to one of my kids.  It's been bad enough that they both are bi-polar.  But if that happened,....you might just find me at your doorstep wanting a session or two!  Love ya......Sandi

Marianna Brown (Schechter)

Pat and Sandy...

I too have lost many, many in my life. The hardest was my oldest son who would have been 40 this year. I often wonder what kind of man he would have become...would he have married? Had children? What kind of father would he have been? I think the biggest question that I have is WHY?

Pat Kuester (Bowen)

I almost deleted my last posting, thinking that I had gone a little too far with the doom and gloom.  When there weren't any postings, I figured everyone was out getting their wills and living trusts updated, maybe even making their final arrangements. 

It's very therapeutic to put down our feelings about loss and love.  Gosh maybe that could be a good topic of conversation---love lost.  We could talk about those that broke our hearts and those hearts we broke.  Personally I only know of one person whose heart I broke.  It tickled me to death when I found out about it.  I never thought I'd ever broken anyone's heart, though my heart had been broken many times.  Crap I was going to try to lighten up this forum, now I'll have everyone remembering all the times their hearts were broken.

Let me try again,  I went to a Red Hat event on Saturday and won a hat and it's cute.  Mind you, I rarely (I mean RARELY) ever win anything and if I do win anything it's something either I have no use for or no one would possibly want.  Now that's a better topic, things we've won in the past.

Marcia Kraft (Barringer)

Well, I do have to add my opinion on losing a loved one.  The day my dad passed away was amazing.  Of course we were terribly sad knowing he was going to die but we spent 12 hours with him talking, laughing, crying and telling him how much we loved him.  I asked him if he wanted me to sing to him and he wrinkled up his nose and smartly said "NO!"  Thank God my sister Betty and nephew were able to drive to Havasu and got to spend several hours with dad before he passed.  He had a ruptured aneurysm so it was a miracle he lasted as long as he did.  We think he was waiting for all his girls to be here.   He was so strong and comforted all of us.  He was in minimal discomfort.  If we had to lose him, I'm so thankful it happened the way it did. 

Peggy Steiner (Miller)

Pat,

I don't think you brought any gloom - it really brings back alot of thoughts about the ones you've loved and lost.  Whether it be a parent, child or that crazy relative (I know we all have one or two of those, in my case I have a couple of dozen of them) or that special love of your life.  Lost my Dad is '72 & Mom in '99 2 wonderful brothers one in '97 and one in '98 those were a tough few years. 

Congrats on your new hat.

Take care,

Peggy

Sandra Harris (Lint)

Funny you should mention lost loves.  I've been thinking of an old boyfriend for the past couple of weeks.  I even found out he lives in Huntington Beach.  No surprise since he was an avid surfer.  Beth says I should call him.  I think I should leave well enough alone.  And I did break a heart, but did'nt know until years later.  A girl I worked with and I became real close friends.  It was her younger brother...like seventeen and I was twenty.  He was just a good friend I thought.  He is now a producer at Disney Animation and has been with the Disney people since he got out of college.  And then there was the guy that.........Sandi

Lynne Scales (Thurman)

Sandy, your story reminded me of our 40th class reunion in Las Vegas.  I never knew I had ever broken anyones heart, until I met up with Johnny Maxwell and his wife.  Or maybe it was at Lorene's mini reunion, when he told me I broke his heart in High School, I had NO idea, boy Johnny what was I thinking?  :-)

Another little tid bit to lighten up the forum, I am one of those weird ladies that wears one of those cute little eye cover mask over my eyes at night so that it's nice and dark to go to sleep. Last night, I got up to use the rest room and forgot to take the thing off.  All of a sudden POW CRASH BOOM, I had run into the wall, knocked down a large flower arrangements and the flowers went flying. My husband popped up and looked at me and said, "honey what in the world are you doing re-arranging flowers in the middle of the night?"  Needless to say it was a really good wake up call.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Neta Johnson (Anderson)

Sadly, I have learned of the loss of another alumni of 1968.  I just read a posting from Gary Goltra via Classmates.com that Karen Goltra passed away on April 24 .  She had battled cancer for the past five years and died at her home in Mira Loma, Ca. .  I had know Karen since I was very young.  She and her brothers went through school with my older siblings.  I hadn't seen Karen in several years but will always remember her beautiful smile.  May she rest in peace.  

Pat Kuester (Bowen)

Neta, Thanks for letting us know about Karen.  She was a very nice gal.  She sold real estate in the Lakewood area in the 80's and had an advertisement on a bus bench on Lakewood Blvd.  I worked for a bank in Paramount for 10 years, Gary was one of our customers.  I really enjoyed working for that bank.  I would run into old teachers and classmates every so often.

Marsha Miller (Jaehnig)

I found this on the internet about Karen.  I always thought that she graduated with our class but she must have moved and graduated from Bellflower.  I remember her as a very nice person and very active with our class.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pe/obituary.aspx?n=karen-rudzinski&pid=142377346

Pat Kuester (Bowen)

Please keep Linda Bolton in your thoughts and prayers.  Her brother is having surgery this week.  He has a mass in his abdomen.  He is a very high risk for surgery, but due to the mass it has to be done.  Also, Linda is having eye surgery the end of this month.  Due to a complication of her diabetes she has bleeding behind her eyes.

Carol Maddex (Switzer)

Hi everyone. It has been hard for me to get in the forum....I do enjoy everyone's information and read their thoughts. Just want to thank everyone who has sent cards and emails. I wish I could say I am better but loosing my husband  just a month ago has been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through and I am sure in time it will all work out. He was my best friend and I know he is in a much better place now and pain free and I am sure he has already golfed his best game ever. I told him a couple of months ago that it was Ok if he needed to leave...I think he was just waiting for me to be OK with his passing before he left...He had sent me away for a long week-end after being home for several months taking care of him. I was gone when his time came to leave and that is the hardest part of loosing him as I was not there to say good bye. So if you even go to the store be sure to say good bye and I love you.....I cry daily...but only for myself because I miss him so, but in time all shall pass....

Lorene BuSteed (Householder)

Linda we will be thinking of you with regards to your sugery, take care ok.

I am so sorry to hear about Karen. I did not realize that she lived so close to me, just a hop, skip and a jump. Wish I would have known. Rest in peace Karen!

Here are a couple of poems that many of you will appreciate.

I AM FREE

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh,
to love, to work or play.
Tasks undone must stay that way
I've found that peace at the close of the day.

If parting has left a void, then fill it
with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times,
a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wants me now, He set me free.

If Tears Could...

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven
To bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken.
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
My heart still aches in sadness
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

Its good to see many more faces on board. Lynne you made me laugh as always, Pat you always have amazing stories, Sandy what can I say - you are amazing, Joetta it is good to hear from you on this site, Marcia good to hear from you too, Mark you are too funny, Maryanne loved you story, Peggy & Marsha good to hear from you. Hope I did not miss anyone!

Well as many of you might or might not know that Wed. May 12 is Day of the Teacher, so to many of you who are or who were teachers, my hat is off to all of you. Working with teachers on a dailey basis is very inspiring and rewarding. We here at the Corona Norco Teachers Association are planning a big celebration as we block off the whole parking lot to pay tribute to teachers. If you aren't doing anything, come on by 1189 Mountain Ave. - Norco, CA  from 2 - 7 p.m.  Lots of FREE food/drinks, fun things for kids and of course MUSIC.

Well the wedding day if fast approaching on May 15, I am getting nervous. Trying to make sure that everything is done and trying to coordinate the limo with all the girls, make up, hair styling etc. and how I am going to get from point A to point B. Making sure that I don't forget to get all the stuff that goes on the table and trying to figure out how they are going to get on the table, this too will come. Wondering whether I should wear my hair up or down. At this point I am wearing it down, this could change when I put on my dress again. I am wearing a long black chiffon gown with sheer black sleeves and sheer at the top, kinda looks like to dress is strapless but there is sheer material at the top to hold the "girls" in so they cannot come out.

Needless to say I am excited and sad at the same time, excited to see my beautiful daughter get married and yet saddened that my dad will not be there with us to celebrate. Oh how he would have loved it. I would have loved to be able to dance with my dad one more time. So at the wedding there will be tears of joy and then tears yearning for my dad's tender words.

With of all this, I wish everyone lots of love and joy!

Forever thinking of all of you & thanking you for your friendship.

Love Always,

Lorene 

Lorene BuSteed (Householder)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

                                           

God doesn't give you the people you want; He gives you the people you NEED... To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

But they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

And laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

When they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

And cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

A birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

Yet they are strong when they

Think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

Can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

To show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

Makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

Family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

And everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.  
Please pass this along to all your women friends and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are.

Lynne Scales (Thurman)

Well, folks I was going to cancel Mothers Day at my house this year, but decided that wasn't the right thing to do even though it's only been two months. I know my mom would have been pissed if I would have done that.....sorry about that but it's true.

So HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you moms out there.

We will be going to the lake house and releasing balloons for my mom, as my youngest grandson has made something for my mom and said that he can only let it go on a balloon at the lake house on the dock so it won't touch any trees and that it will get to Heaven when she can catch it. OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES.

LOVE TO YOU ALL.

PS:  Ok, let me end this on some humor as a tribute to my mom.  I found this little piece of paper in her drawer the other day.

FRIENDSIP PRAYER

MAY THE FLEES OF A 100 CAMELS INFEST THE CROTCH OF THE PERSON THAT RUINS YOUR DAY, AND MAY THEIR ARMS BE TO SHORT TO REACH TO SCRATCH THEM.

LOVE YOU MOM!!!!  YOU ROCKED MY LIFE.

Mark Overstreet

"HEY!  Happy Mothers' Day To All You Mothers!" (You need to read Pat's prior message so you're not offended).  

I'm lucky to still have my mother around (although I didn't live with her).  Developing strong, lasting, healthy relationships can take a lot of thoughfullness, time and energy.  Be it with your parents, children, spouse, or friends.  And then you hope that the other people will do the same.  As I've grown older, I realize that the little things in life can matter greatly and the little things (problems, troublesome worries) can amount to a "hill of beans" (what the hell ever that means or where the hell did that saying come from? One of you will probably look it up and report back.)  

Someone mentioned "doom and gloom", and there has been a lot written about death and dying.  I've contenplated it more than I ever have, since I retired and had my heart operation.  I try to enjoy precious moment and charish memories more now.  I realize that I have a set time, so I plan to use it all wisely (if I'm wise enough). Putting your thoughts down, does help.  I don't think that the good folks on this site would think anything other than, God Bless You, and that we understand and feel what you feel.  It's all a process.  My personal thought is that, when a loved one passes away, they will be with me for my whole life. My father aunt (raised me) and passed away in 63, as did my father.  I still dream about them and think about them often. They will always be with me, and be a part of me. I don't dwell on it but I bring them into my consciousness now and them and it brings tears, but it makes me feel better.  It's a process.

May all of you Mothers have a "Happy Day"!  You make it that way.  You make it that way.

See ya'al' soon.

Dorothy Smaller (Abler)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE.  LYNNE, I'M SO GLAD YOU DECIDED NOT TO CANCEL MOTHER'S DAY AND DO THE BALLOON THING.  I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WERE GOING TO DO THAT OR NOT, BUT HAD HOPED YOU WOULD.  I WAS HOPING IT MIGHT HELP IN YOUR GRIEVING PROCESS.

I HOPE ALL THE MOTHERS HAD A GREAT DAY!

LOVE AND HUGS TO ALL,

Lynne Scales (Thurman)

I had a wonderful 1st Mothers Day without my Mom, I thought it was going to be so horrible and sad.  The day started off meeting at her gravesite, putting white roses there, and a big Happy Mothers Day, talking about her and the people around her.  When all of a sudden we were all laughing, because the guy next to her had the last name of Kickass, the lady next to him was Hussey and we just started laughing about her new neighbors. We started telling stories about how funny my mom would have thought that was.

Then we went to the lake house, we had balloons that had notes in them and my little grandson made her a bead bracelet, he tied it onto his balloon so it would go up to Heaven and his Grandma great could catch it.  Smile!!!

We threw rose petals in the water and told her how much she is loved and that the lake house will always be a part of her and she will always be with us.

My dad actually went to the Hallmark store and bought me the most beautiful Mothers Day card I've ever received in my entire life. I never knew he could do that, and signed it like he has never written before. I will cherish it forever.

I had the most wonderful mom in the entire world, the best childhood a kid could ask for and 60 years with a great woman who became my best friend and buddy, who could ask for more

We did make it a good day. WELL ALL EXCEPT, I didn't get a Yorkie puppy like I wanted.  lol

 Hope the rest of you had a good Mothers Day as well.

Lynne Scales (Thurman)

Hellllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooo anyone out there?

Sandra Harris (Lint)

Yessss!  Just checking on the news.  Not much, I see, except Lynne straining her vocal cords!  Today was my husband's 65th birthday.  He doesn't like any fuss so I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do that didn't involve the bedroom.  He wanted to go to the nursery to buy some new plants for the front yard.  What a guy!  And a cheap date.  KFC for dinner was the choice (no cooking for Sandi..Yea!)  and donuts for dessert!  I dunno know..something is probably happening this weekend .  Hope you all are fine .  Love to you all.....Sandi

Carol Maddex (Switzer)

Well a day late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sandi's husband....Looking forward to Vegas in a few weeks. Need to be in a different surrounding...paper work here to get things in order is driving me crazy. I had a nice dinner with Phyllis and Nick Saturday night...we had a nice time together and the food was great! Well anyway everyone have a GREAT WEDNESDAY!

Love ya all,

Carol