“The Lord Bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.) Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

When I begin to read the verse above, I immediately begin to sing or hum the melody associated with that blessing.

This has been a lovely week, with more sunshine, a little more rain, and the ending of school activities - which can be bittersweet when we watch our little ones and teens growing up. It is interesting to watch and listen to them excited about being in the next grade, and anticipating their last yearend days and the trip to out-of-town places. Some of them are anticipating summer ball games and swim lessons, while others are talking about 4-H projects or camps and trips they will take.

For many years, maybe about 20-30 years, I have observed the Eads educator Charlene Gifford. I don’t remember her name when she first taught in Haswell, but I have observed her and her lively and precious little third grade students for many years as they visited the residents in Weisbrod Nursing Home. She and they are remarkable! This week, her students were so full of exuberance playing on the patio. She could just wave a finger and they came to attention. We, who live in the Weisbrod Extended Care Unit, really enjoyed their visit. Jaton Wallace, our Activity Director, arranged for us “adopted grandparents” to have a sack lunch with our “adopted grandchildren.” Then we watched them as they colored pretty roses for our bulletin board, and then played a game with a Velcro ball and circular “plate" on the patio. Later, they came in out of the hot sun and sipped root beer ice cream floats as they colored little may baskets with flowers on message stems. Two times during their stay I asked them to sing their class song from the “Beatles” concert, “Give me Love.”

During the first three days of Hospital Week we have had fun activities at Weisbrod. We are looking forward to the barbecue Friday, and to learn who the highest bids are on the 26 baskets or containers in the hallway and waiting room. This is a fundraiser with a dual purpose. Some money will be given to two of our employees who are dear to us, Marla Gwinn Darnell and Shae Cordova Johnson, both who are living through chemotherapy treatments. Another part of the money will be used as seed money to generate funds for other needs. We are eager to watch the duck races and other activities.

It was impressive to see all of Ethel Ferris’ four children, Stephanie, Annette, Brandon, and Lorene, come to visit their mother last week, bringing gifts and cupcakes to celebrate Mother’s Day and their father, Ronald’s, birthday. He came over from Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community where he lives. He has come to visit several times.

Bernice Criswell-Carlock called me at noon last week to say how much she enjoyed the cover photo that Chris Sorensen had taken for the Kiowa County Press last week. It was an aerial view of the Eads Golf course and club house. She said, “Immediately I could remember myself as a first grader in that building.” I replied “Oh, you must have gone to the Galetea School.” I told her that it had been moved over to the Eads school premises when we had so many students in the early 1960s. I used to team teach out there. The students called it “The Alamo.”

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The family of Don Pfingston hosted their annual “Don Pfingston Memorial” in his honor. Men came from several communities to rope in the event. The family uses the money for prizes and benefits for cowboys or families in need.

We enjoyed watching the Eads Eagle baseball team’s regional game on the new wide screen television. Eads won the first game but lost the second in the finals. Our young boys had a great season. We discovered this week when the team took off for Denver that more track team members were able to make the trip to the state meet because they had previously qualified.

There were more people than I ever seen attend the Eads senior citizens’ monthly noon lunch - partly because people heard Gail Voss was serving fried steaks, but mostly it was because people heard that CEO Beth (Stavely) Bell was introducing the new doctor. He is Erick Riche, who grew up in the southeastern United States. He and his wife have lived in Colorado Springs since 2017 and wanted to move to a small community. We are glad to have them. They are, of course, looking for housing, and are living in the new duplex near the hospital for a while. Beth introduced the much liked and respected Dr. Lori Thorndike, who is the full time Chief of Staff. In addition, Mrs. Bell introduced Rachel (Brown) Bletzacker, FNP, and Morgan King, PA-C. There will be other specialists who may come or will serve us in more efficient ways than we have experienced before. Local citizen Diane O’Brian told us that she had had this way of telecommunicating with a specialist right here in Eads. She really liked it, and it saved her time and a trip to the city.