Doris Lessenden

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.” Ephesians 4:32

This simple scripture was one of the favorites of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who were married for 77 years. I read that every night they talked to be sure they were “reconciled” from any arguments they may have had during the day. He wrote that there are three concepts for marital success: “reconciliation, communication, and devotion.” When you think about those concepts, they can apply not just to family life, but to schools, clubs, sports, and most all walks of life.

This was an exciting week for most school-age children since schools began last week or in a few days to come. We have heard that there were very interesting greetings and open houses at school that were arranged for the age groups and for the parents so that they could feel more at ease with the structure and possible rules and supplies needed. At some schools some students could receive free supplies. At Eads on the open house night there were also homemade ice cream treats for sale to build up the scholarship fund for future teachers. If you didn’t get to buy a treat, I am sure the Education Association would welcome donations for our graduating seniors, and sometimes there is enough money to help students who change their majors after they get to college.

Thank you to Sarah Seibel Ferris for organizing a benefit spaghetti supper to assist Bill and Phyllis Barlow with money to pay for their needed 24-hour medical care. The meal will be at the Community Building at the Eads fairgrounds Saturday night, August 29. Sarah is pleased with those families who have volunteered to cook or bring salads and desserts. We hope lots of people will make an effort to come to support them.

Around Eads we have been blessed with a few little showers, but some of our nurses from Lamar and Las Animas say their rain has been more abundant.

Last week our dear Activity Director, Brenda Leon, arranged for us to have a little “surprise party” to honor our Eads senior girl who has been working here for two years, first as a student and lately as a CNA. We are fond of her. Kara Wilson drives all the way to school and work from Sheridan Lake daily. Sometimes it is two times a day. This stellar young lady was valedictorian of her class and an outstanding sportswoman at Eads High School. This week she is headed to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to study to be a nurse. Brenda made a lovely presentation from the residents and Weisbrod staff to whom she has endeared herself. Plus, Brenda served us all ice cream cakes. They were so good!

One of two other seniors we have grown fond of is Lexi Shotton from south of Haswell. Last school year Lexi served in the physical therapy department, so we didn’t get to know her too well, but this summer she worked as a great CNA. She has already left for Canyon, Texas, to go to college in a health field. We look forward to her return on holiday.

The other young lady and Eads graduate we are fond of is Tailee Weeks-Johnson. She visited often because her dear mother, Darcy, is a nurse here. Tailee has been recruited to study and play on the track throwing team at Hastings College in Nebraska.

I only really know two men who are on the ambulance crew. They are Ken and Robert. I can tell you that the ambulance runs daily. At all hours! We are so blessed to have an ambulance crew of men and women in our county. Thank you to the men and women from all over the county who are taking their time to train on all this new equipment. Eads is blessed to have a new ambulance building that is nearly constructed on the north side of the Weisbrod property.

Since my siblings and I didn’t get to grow up around our grandparents because our four were deceased, I have always liked to see people who pay attention to their grandchildren. Through the years I always enjoyed watching Marty Barnett parent his own children, Kyle, Dain, Chad, and Jordan. Now I get to enjoy watching him as a grandfather. Today, his preschooler grandsons from Wray were so delighted because their grandfather took them to Lamar to get new Nike shoes. They walked over to Weisbrod with their grandmother, Betsy, to show off their new shoes to their great-grandmother, Lucy Barnett. That really warmed Lucy’s heart! I urge you, Readers, that if you have grandchildren, do take the time to give them special attention many times.

Friday afternoon some Hospital Auxiliary members came to play bingo with us. Diana Flory, our Vice President, handed out envelopes of money as they won bingo. Of course, those ladies gave us more money in those pretty envelopes than we usually get. Diana’s husband kindly called the bingo games, and Brenda Leon served lovely doughnuts and a citrus punch. We were pleased to have Mei Lan Lening’s father play bingo with us. He lives in Texas and is here to recover from a stroke since his wife is dealing with another illness in Texas. We enjoy looking at the beautiful yellow and white quilt that Mary Ellen Berger Englehardt embroidered in high school. It has bird and flower designs for each state. If there are families who would loan a quilt or display item for our dining room display rack for a month, you may call Mary Ellen or me.

One of our capable and sweet CNAs who works here is Destiny Lyon. She and her four daughters moved back to her hometown this summer. We really do like her. She is a good worker, and experienced, too.