Another Goodbye

I have some sad news. I have known the day to report this was coming for several weeks now, but that doesn't make it any easier. Mrs. Sue Freeland has passed away. All last year she has been the picture of health, then, on Christmas Eve, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I'm glad her family had four months with her, but still, it's a bit of a shock.

I have written about our neighbors, the Freelands, on many occasions here. They have figured prominently in my life and are dear friends. Mr. James Earl and Mrs. Sue were our next door neighbors when I was growing up until Kenny's parents built their house between us. The Freelands have three sons—Brian, Steve, and Brent—all a year apart. Brent and I are the same age. They were my best friends growing up. My earliest memories of them are playing with them in the church nursery. We all enjoyed a very idyllic country childhood, went to school together, and all wound up attending MTSU after high school. Steve and I were neighbors in the same dorm for two years and Brent and I were roommates on two occasions.

I don't see Brian, Steve, and Brent nearly as much as I would like, but I still count them as good friends. And their parents have always been special to me, people I look up to. I've played at their house about as much as their boys played at my house. They've been constants at church for as long as I can remember. So, Mrs. Sue's passing hurts.

I got to visit Mrs. Sue two weeks ago. We had a good time reminiscing and just catching up since I had last seen her before Christmas. I am so grateful I got to hug her and tell her I love her; something I never got the chance to do with my mom the last 11 weeks of her life. So, I am hurting for my neighbors and friends who are dealing with a loss they didn't see coming before Christmas.

On another note, Nate has just ten days of school left, so he is most definitely coming down the home stretch. Seniors get out a bit earlier than the rest of the students, so my school year will continue a couple of weeks beyond his. Graduation is on the 21st.

Davidson Academy went forward with their prom this weekend, as many schools in the area are doing. Nate and six of his friends decided they didn't want to go to the prom, but they wanted to have fun night. So, they all dressed up, met at a local park for pictures, went out to eat, and then went bowling. Basically, they did everything they cared to do on prom night except attend the prom itself.

Joe