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| Curt and Jenny |
As we conclude a month at Wyndham Fairfield Glade in Tennessee, I am reminded of both the beauty of autumn and the fragility of life. Some blogs are difficult to pen but must be written none the less. Thus it is with this edition.
The Cumberland Plateau was ablaze with the changing optics of fall. The canvas, with random patches of yellows, greens, reds, and oranges, blended wonderfully against the backdrop of deep blue skies, flowing white clouds, and distant mountains.
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| Scott and Autumn |
Our spacious two bedroom Kensington Woods condo was filled several days with the blessing of family and friends. Picture puzzles were pieced together, table games were hotly contested, and hours were spent in front of a flickering natural wood fireplace. Drives into Crossville for lunches at Fortes, shoe shopping at French's, and the Military Museum, provided opportunities to enjoy each others company. An outing to the Cumberland Playhouse to see Scrooge, The Musical was a perfect night out with Curt and Jenny, Sherry's brother and sister in law. Our daughter's family from Indiana joined us for a few days too.
Here's where it gets really difficult.
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 The Durnils had joined us before on our WYNDHAM adventures. We had explored the beaches of South Carolina together at Myrtle Beach and Edisto Island. Now they were joining us to enjoy the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau as it transitioned from summer to fall. Doretta and Sherry had attended High School together so each visit contained several trips down memory lane. They were again good days until the day before they were suppose to leave. Doretta complained of a headache and within a couple of hours was having difficulty communicating. Jimmie took her to the hospital in Crossville where she lost consciousness and was air flighted to a trauma center in Murphysboro, Tennessee. She never regained consciousness and sixteen days after walking out the door of our condo she was gone. From prayers, hugs, and kisses to eternity in two weeks. Her diagnosis was viral meningitis. She will be missed by many. REFLECTIONS Doretta was a Christ follower. Like so many, she believed that for the believer "the best is yet to come". Our hearts are broken but our hope is in Him. I look out over the Tennessee woods beyond our deck. Once vibrant with fall colors, the trees stand naked and stark. Their colorful leaves lay in wind blown piles on the ground. Life, in every regard, is a cycle and can change quickly. Once again I am reminded that we should treasure every day....every moment. Tell those you love often that you do.  |
