Happy 4th of July... Clawson family Reunion..

What a happy Fourth of July! Jessica and I traveled all the way from Atlanta , Georgia to Ramah, New mexico to spend the holiday with my friend Cecil Clawson and his whole family. They have a family reunion every July 4th and he has asked me to come every year. This is the first time I actually went (I know he thought I never would) but sometimes it just takes me a while to get things done. Life has a habit of getting in the way! Jessica and I had such fun on our drive out. We needed a little mother daughter bonding time and this road trip was a gift. I love my remarkable daughter she is truly the greatest gift I have ever received. wow that God should love me so much to pick me to be her mother. on the way we stopped and visited family in Arkansas. that was wonderful, family may not always like you but they do always love you.

                                                          Cecil and Me in Ramah NM

                                              

I met Cecil when he was a young man of 19 and on a mission trip. One day I opened the door and there stood my life long friend. I knew there was something special between us, we have a unique connection and it has lasted 24 years and still going. We have a very special bond and I treasure his friendship. God blessed me the day Cecil walked into my life. Him coming into my life was a God thing. He has been with me and supported me emotionally through my cancer, bad marriage and my crisis in faith. I depend on him in ways even he doesn't understand. He is the one constant in my ever changing life and I know if I was ever in trouble or needed him he would be there. He told me once that he believed I was the reason he was sent to Georgia on that mission trip and I believe that too. Knowing Cecil has made me a better person. He is the one I compare other men too. He is honest, straight forward, and loyal. His wife Liz is an angel and they are perfect for each other. You might think another woman would be jealous  but she is not she has welcomed me into their lives no questions asked. She is very secure (and so she should be) Cecil adores her!

Cecil and his Grandmother

I got to meet all of Cecil's family this time and I do mean all! I have never seen so many blue eyes in my whole life! His grandmother was so sassy at 94. I just loved her! She told me the most wonderful stories. That is the one thing I love about older people if you take the time to listen you can hear many amazing  things. She told me the story of how she met Cecil's grandfather and how they played music together(I met Cecil's grandfather in Sept. 2005).She said he asked her out many times before she would told him yes! She said she knew he was a keeper after the first date, they had 75 wonderful years together before he passed away last May.

Cecil and his Grandfather

Me and Jessica on Old Route 66

Once Jessica and I got to New Mexico she hit the ground running! We drove about 5 miles up a dirt road to the top of a mountain to camp! Jessica was a little sad not to have any cell service for the days we were up there. She did make up for it in other ways. She climbed some cliffs to see Indian ruins, then she went swimming in the lake. She jumped off the top of the four wheeler hanging onto a rope and jumped right into that lake! I was shocked to see her that adventurous. She also seemed to have more than enough boys hanging around...Hmmmm.... Not sure I like that LOL What a pleasure it was to meet all of Cecil's family. This was a trip I won't soon forget!

       

 Jessica climbing Indian Ruins!!

                                        
                                       Jessica swinging to the Lake!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                                  All the boys want to be her friend...

Good friends are like stars,you don't always see them, but you know they are always there...


Smile at a stranger today and watch what will happen...

Not all who wander are lost...
- J.R.R Tolkien