October

Autumn is my favorite season (and my favorite granddaughter :))

The trees are especially beautiful this year. They have really turned this past week. I was looking for spots to take some Fall pictures last week and they were few and far between. Now they are very plentiful. Tomorrow is supposed to be 61 and sunny - maybe I can get out and take some pictures. Today it is only 42 and gloomy.

Last night I attended the visitation of a friend of mine. She died much too young of breast cancer. It was heartbreaking to see the grief of her parents, brother, sister, nieces and friends. I am grateful to have known Kelly and I will miss reading her blog and facebook posts. She was such a positive, wonderful person and I sooo wish she had not had to endure all the pain and suffering the cancer caused. Last night was the mourning but tonight there is going to be a celebration of her life. I plan on attending that as well. I know she will be 'mourned' by many for years to come - but tonight she wanted us all to gather and celebrate her.

Realizing how short life can be - I want to mention birthdays. We have lots of family and friends with birthdays this month. Happy Birthday and many more to all of them!
10/11 - Hunter turned 19
10/13 - my daddy turned 73
10/17 - Brad's Mammaw turned 95
10/26 - Autumn will turn 8!
I also had 3 friends celebrate another year - Lucia (10/12), Kathy Q (10/13) and Jennifer W (10/23)

I think that's all I want to write for now. I will leave you with a couple of quotes......

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ~Abraham Lincoln

"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars." -Og Mandino

Enjoy this gorgeous Autumn!

Kelly A. Martin, 44, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 after a 10 year battle with breast cancer. A Celebration in honor of her life will be Friday, Oct. 23rd, 7:00 pm at Lenexa Conference Center - Thompson Barn, 13420 Oak, Lenexa, KS (913) 541-0209. The visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 6:00-8:00pm at McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. Kelly was born December 15th, 1964 in Sanford, Florida. She attended Fairview Elementary School and graduated from West Plains High School in 1982. Kelly received her B.S. in Education from Missouri State University in 1987. She was a loyal employee of American Academy of Family Physicians for 20+ years. Kelly was preceded in death by her grandparents, William & Adele Kori (Jacksonville, FL) and Al & Juanita Martin and her Aunt Alverna Martin (all of West Plains, MO). Kelly is survived by her dad and mom, Jerry & Terri Martin (Raymore, MO); her sister Tracy (Tony) Rider (Shawnee, KS); her brother Kori (Becky) Martin (Raymore, MO), her nieces Jordan, Ashton, Hayden & Izabella; her aunts, uncles and cousins; and a enormous group of loving and devoted friends. Kelly will be remembered for her love of life, strength, selflessness, graciousness, love, devotion to her family and friends, and her love of music and dancing. Kelly had a special ability to make everyone feel safe and comfortable in her presence and was able to make friends with anyone. In accordance to Kelly’s wishes her body was donated for medical research and her beautiful eyes were given to the Eye Bank. All of those who love Kelly will miss her shining eyes, wonderful smile, warm and comforting presence and amazing laugh. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."-Ralph Waldo Emerson The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, you make a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn. Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 Arrangements: McGilley & Hoge Chapel (913)-642-3565