Bill writes in his journal prior to leaving for the CMA Festival with his family.
Saturday, June 2, 2007, 10:13 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~
Dear Journal~
Bill here. I am sorry I haven't written in here for a while, but with the burgeoning family I have, plus working at Wal*Mart, I don't have much in the way of free time. Still, all in all, I don't have a bad life: I have a wife who cherishes me (I hope), and we are the proud parents of sixty beautiful children who are all growing up like weeds before our very eyes.
It seems like only yesterday when they were little babies: now the oldest daughter has given us seven grandchildren, and Dwerlina is getting married later this year. Dianna is engaged too, and Melizza now has a boyfriend in her world, so a wedding may be in the future for her as well. Anh and Steffi (as well as Tanya) are doing very well in college; they should be arriving home in time for summer break before too long, so we will soon have a house-full (again).
Our children now range in age from twenty-five down to one-and-a-half, and every day they continue to amaze us with their courageous spirit and insatiable will to live despite incredibe odds placed upon them by cold, unfeeling doctors. They teach us how to love, and they teach us to see the beauty in bodies that are less than ideal.
We are at the CMA Music Festival (formerly called Fan Fair); we go every year. This year has proven to be one of the biggest (and fun) ones yet. Many different country stars here: Loretta Lynn, Big & Rich, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Tanya Tucker, Joe Diffie, Collin Raye, Reba, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Dolly: too, too many to mention. There are also television/movie stars here, so it's like a celebrity fan's paradise.
We have met many of the people here, and we have tons of autographs. The kids have been having fun posing with their favorites, and so have we. It's like seeing old friends when we spend time with Loretta Lynn (we've been fans of hers for years!), and we've made new ones in Carrie Underwood, Taylor Ware, Big & Rich, and Cowboy Troy, who are among the sweetest people around. They were all very nice to me, my wife, and my children, and they were more than happy to pose for pictures with the gang.
The weather has been dry here in middle Tennessee, but we may get some rain by next week. We hope so: middle Tennessee (not to mention a good part of the Southeast) has been in the grips of a terrible drought, and we need rain desperately. Meanwhile, the Southern Plains can't get a break from the severe storms: seems like every day for the past month they've been hit with tornadoes, floods, and storm damage. They are all severe'ed out! Lord knows, they could use a break from the weather as well!
In the midst of all this happy news, there's some sad news to report: Audrey Callaway has been in the hospital, fighting for her life. She had surgery last Tuesday, and suffered complications. She is now in the Neuro ICU at Nashville Memorial (the hospital where Louie works), and there's the talk of the possiblity of brain damage. Not good. We have been praying hard and long for her; if she makes it through without incident will be nothing short of a miracle! I don't know exactly the nature of why she needed surgery in the first place, but she had it, and now she may be brain damaged for the rest of her life, which would be a tragedy for her husband and kids. They are all having a very hard time of it now.
Well, Ronee' had her audtion for "America's Got Talent", and she made it to Hollywood. She will audition for the show there; she is excited beyond belief! She sang "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson, and the judges seemed to like her, even ol' Pierce, who makes fellow Britainer Simon Cowell look like a pussycat! LOL Ronee' was a little nervous at the start, but by song's end, she pulled herself together, and she nailed it perfectly. The judges were impressed with her big voice; she sounded really good at the audition! We were all very proud of her. Still are! Let's hope she makes it to the show! :)
We'll keep you posted on this. A trip to Hollywood, California, may be in order! :)
Johnny has another doctor's appointment next week, may have another MRI and EMG in a month or so, depending on what his doctor says. I hope not; those things freak me out. I am always terrified to learn that he is getting worse, and I don't think I could handle any more bad news: we've already had our share up to this point! Plus Johnny hates the MRI and the EMG with a purple passion. (I don't blame him! I am not exactly fond of the MRI myself--too confining!--, and the EMG is one of the most painful tests known to mankind!)
Let's hope for a Miracle for Johnny, too; he could use some good news as well!
Will keep you posted on the Johnny saga, too. Stay tuned~
Well, the kids and wife are rarin' to go, so I guess I'll close for now. Let's see who we can meet (or get autographs of) this time! Take care, dear Journal, and God bless!
Great write. Held my atention. Thank you for sharing. Liz
Reviewed by d. k
6/3/2007
Love hearing from Bill, he is so caring about his family. The journal sure must be big by now.......lololol! Glad the family is having a great time at the Festival!! Wow, how do they keep track of them all!! Great write my friend!
Another great story, Karen, and as I read about characters I've read in other writings, I'm beginning to recognize them. It's amazing how you keep up with everyone.
Wow Ronee is going to hollywood!;-)I can't say that I can grasp what a family this size would be like, but you have made them in a variety that runs the gamut of traits and they are all lovelable!Very fine work Karen!
With all its many ups and downs, this larger than life family of larger than life people still are blessed with fun, laughter and many happy opportunites to both give and receive of life's magic moments. Certainly never, ever a dull moment, that's for sure! And eeek... MRI... Johnny has my fullest sympathies... along with the dreaded mammogram, it has got to be the worst... but at least he should never be subjected to one of those! :)) Keep journaling, dear Bill! LOL K xx
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