A Giant Tree Has Fallen in the Forest

                                        

William C. "Bill" Owen

1942 - 2012

Bill Owen was a strong, honest, loyal, dedicated man.  He was loved by family, friends, associates and will be sorely missed.  Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, he attended Leon High School and the University of Florida, where he earned his law degree.  He practiced law here in Tallahassee and was also on the Board of Directors of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.  For several years he had been serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and only retired from that position in February of this year.  He led the company with integrity and by example.  We shall miss his presence at local, state and national functions, but his memory and leadership will be a lasting tribute.

The Florida Gators and the game of Golf were his passion...only next in line from his wife, Carolyn and his children, grandchildren and friends...and his law practice.  On Wednesday morning the auditorium at Faith Presbyterian Church was full of those wishing to pay their respects to Bill's family and memory.  That speaks volumes, to have people at a service from all over the country.  Bill was that type of man and his family should be proud of his legacy.

Though our Woodmen "rituals" have been changed over the years, I want to share some of the words from the older funeral passage practiced for many years...I believe they are fitting for such a dedicated Woodmen Fraternalist...

     "...we are reminded this day perhaps more forciably than ever of the uncertainty

      of human life, and while we have witnessed the removal of another stately tree

     from the forest of Woodcraft, may we all be mindful of the lesson it may teach us.

     Today we share the sorrow of those who mourn, realizing that on any tomorrow

     it may be one of us who may receive the call to exit this earthly forest.

    

      Our hearts are sad today and every impulse of our soul is that of sympathy for

     those who loved our faithful Sovereign best.  His absence from our forest will be

     keenly felt.  The kind expressions of his voice will be replaced with an unbroken

     silence.   And yet, my friends, he should not be forgotten.  His kind acts and his

     pleasant words should be treasured as priceless gems upon which your mind

     will love to dwell in the fondest of recollections.  He has fulfilled his earthly

     destiny.  The battles along life's pathway have been bravely fought.  The race has

     been completed, and the prize awaits the victor at the closing of the day.  The

     influence of his life, however, shall not soon pass from us.  He has left a worthy

     heritage in the hands of the true and trusted Sovereigns who gather here today

    to do his memory reverence..."

To those of you who are not associated with Woodmen of the World these words may sound strange.  But to those of us who are  a part of this wonderful fraternal organization, it is comforting to be part of this great "family fraternity" which is "with you through life"...and in death...

And closing, the words written in the funeral program...

     "May the road rise up to meet you,

       May the wind be always at your back.

          May the sun shine warm upon your face.

             and the rains fall soft upon your fields,

                 and until we meet again,

                     May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Rest at peace old friend...

                            

Babies and Weddings and Deaths, O My!

Once again, the first quarter of 2012 has brought so much joy, excitement and grief!  I've blogged before of the many losses our church family has experienced, but just since that post, we have had more serious illnesses among us, and this morning I learned of the passing of a great man - within the Tallahassee community and our Woodmen family.  More to come on this most recent loss once it has been shared more publically.

Now, to the more upbeat news on babies: since the fall of last year , we have celebrated at least six new babies and I know of at least two more due in the coming months.  Seems like I've become one of the "last to know", so there may be more coming up!  What a blessing for these little families!

After a lull in weddings, we now have two out-of-town weddings two weekends in a row in May!  That's Carl's busiest time of year at work, but we're going to work hard to try to make them both (or I may have to hitch a ride to one by myself...we'll see).  Blessings and best wishes to the love birds!

Spring Break will officially end this weekend, so Preschool will be back in session, as will our public schools.  More traffic back on the roads, and excitement filling the air for the end of the school year!  At church we have nine seniors graduating in a few months.  The circle of life keeps moving - this is the largest class of my recollection we've had since the class of 2000, when there were eleven.  We pray we will have more little ones moving into our Faith Lane, more 5th graders moving up to Faith Quest, then more 8th graders who will move into Faith Way.  But, with all the new babies and the way time flies, it will be no time before Faith Lane will be hopping big-time.

Blessings to you all!

I'm Positive It's Hard to Stay Positive

This cute picture was posted by a friend and I just had to share it.  But the sentiments numbered above are most certainly true and will move us into a better frame of mind if we allow them to.

As the week winds down, I'm happy to share that...I learned how to edit the website at church (believe me when I say, it is definitely still a work in progress, but at least I'm getting there), I've enjoyed the beautiful weather we're having in Tally (though the temperatures are average for late May/early June), sitting with friends during a loved-one's surgery is the right thing to do, dinner with friends is also the right thing to do now and then (even if you think you "can't afford it"),  showers for and celebrating with soon-to-be newlyweds is fun, praying for and visiting the sick is necessary (and does us just as much good as it does the ones you are visiting and/or praying for), we should grieve with those who lose a beloved pet just as we do when there's a human loss, the telephone is a blessing when your loved one(s) are hundreds of miles away, we can't control what those in leadership do/say (but God is in control and others will have to answer for what they say and do), and reading/practicing these "10 Rules" everyday will help keep you walking more closely toward a positive attitude!

Have a blessed weekend!

Friday Pondering

It makes me sad to see I haven't posted since March 9, but there's been so much going on -- we've had illness in the family, illness within our church family and a form of spring fever I guess you'd call it, and then a close friend had a very close call with death in an awful car accident yesterday while working out of town.

My dad's wife Carole, was hit with a "massive" embolism (dr. words).  They did not expect her to even make it to the hospital, much less a time in the ER, then in a private room...she has been a fighter, and should even be moved to rehab this weekend (if not already today).  They live in Mississippi, so it is so difficult to go visit, much less be with them during hard times.  My older brother was able to go be with Dad last weekend and Carole's daughter and family has been there with her...

We've had several in our church family who have had surgery, been ill without a diagnosis, deaths...2012 started off hitting lots of people unexpected and with various needs...

Our kids are doing well in PA - we've talked to them and texted, and emailed, and sent cards...but just not the same. But I've gotten kinda use to it, and just keep praying for them and for our time this summer when we do hope we'll be able to go for a visit!

Mike is working all kinds of late hours at Genghis Grill...he likes being in management, but being the lowest on the pole also means he has the later shift...his nights and days are mixed up and it's funny to see him up when we're getting ready to go to work (cause he can't sleep yet), eating supper left-overs for breakfast!

But it all comes into perspective when we get a call that our good friend was in a horrific accident and is alive and "walked away" -- from the ER at least.  He was unconscious and had to be cut out of the vehicle, and his injuries, thanks be to God, were not life-threatening, though enough.  He'll have to have some oral surgery to repair a broken jaw, ribs will heal with time and we pray nothing else will be discovered.  Thank you Father for good friends and keeping your arms wrapped around them during scary times.

This next week is Spring Break in Tallahassee, so many will be hitting the roads.  Us, well, we'll be right here, doing the same routine things.  That's where the "spring fever" comes into play...I am getting depressed looking around at the work that needs to be done in the yard, in the house, and in the garage, plus think of all that has to yet be done at MawMaw's house to get it ready to sell...oh, well! In it's time, I guess.  I just know I have no energy left at the end of the day to do things around our place and weekends keep getting filled up with other things.  One day.  Or as my sweet momma use to say, "it will still be there" just do what matters.

Have a blessed weekend.

March 9th...Celebrating 35 years!

At 11:46 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 1977, a beautiful baby boy was welcomed into this world at Baptist Medical Center, Montgomery, Alabama.  Charles Eric Vinson weighed in at 6 lb. 10 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long.  Confirming he was perfect, I started praying he would grow to be strong, healthy, become a child of God....and be taller than his mother [his dad is 6'1" and I, a mere 5' 1.5"] -- which he did - 5'11"!

First professional pic at approx. 6 weeks;
first signs of loving BAMA football!

Kindergarten
  

Great Big Brother to Mike
(ages 2 & 6.5 yr.)

High School Senior '96

Through the years Charlie has been a blessing to our family.  He was the first grandchild on his dad's side, and his Big Pa & MawMaw were crazy about him...Charlie was the fourth grandchild on my side of the family, but it had been several years since a baby was in the house...Little Pa & Gran were immediately in love with this new bundle.

He has "skills" (as kids say), which is nice to have in the family - sure saves money - installing security systems, wiring for anything, construction, electrical, drawing, famous celebrity voice immitations and SO much more! 

He has enjoyed his vehicles, too, from big wheels (and boy, how many did he go through?)   "The General Lee" was his favorite with the hand brake on the side, yelling "ye ha!" as he pulled the brake and spun around!  He's had a couple of cadillacs, a couple of "regular" cars, a Blazer or two, and a few trucks & a couple of motocycles.

And, he has definitely been in his share of weddings over the years...

Leah & Charlie in Renee & David's wedding!

Western look at Jamie's

Overflow in the back of the limo at Craig's

 

 

Now our "baby boy" is all grown up and married and living 900 miles from us "up North"...a true Southern Gentleman, living a new life full of adventure with his bride.  He and Nichole have known each other since high school and have been married almost three months now.  We couldn't be happier for them both.

Wedding Day, December 24, 2011 ~ Seacrest Beach

Shower Hostesses

There's so many more pictures and memories I could share, but for now, it's Happy Birthday, Charlie! Have a great day and know that you are loved "muchly" by so many people!

With our love and best wishes,

 

Mom & Dad

Mike

Buddy & AJ

It's That Time Again!

Just caught a glimpse of this picture and realized this coming Sunday will begin Daylight Savings Time.  It seems as if the hands on the clock are just spinning out of control.  The years are flying by at break-neck speed and there is absolutely nothing we can do to slow that clock down.

That is, except to live our lives as if the moment in time we are part of is lived as if it were our last.  We are never promised the next second.

A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

This passage in Ecclesiastes 3 is often quoted and even used in the words of a song from the rock band "The Byrds" in the late 60's.  But, the words prove true and we should remember them as we rush through our lives each day...

Before you go to bed on Saturday night, March 10th, be sure to set your clock FORWARD one hour.  Then, if God allows you to open your eyes and put your feet on the floor, you'll be on time to worship! [or whatever else you might do on Sundays...but in Tallahassee, come join us at 9:15 for worship at Timberlane Church of Christ!]