|
Although this segment is entitled 'More Vivian' it isn't all about me. It really shows that life goes
on and we don't have much control over what happens. We can try to prepare for emergencies and hope and pray
that we can cope with God's plan. If we just have faith, He will help us survive and be with us always.
In 1993 Fred and I took a trip by train from our home in Phoenix, Arizona, to
the New England States. We took the northern route going, and returned by the southern route. We stopped in Dallas for
a few days and rented a car. We toured the countryside, especially around Cooper and Lake Creek, where I went to
Elementary and High School. "So many changes."
We visited the Grove Hill Memoral Park Cemetery, 4118 Samuell Blvd., in Dallas
,Texas, and saw the grave of my mother, Mary Viola Edgar. Mary Viola was a daughter of Eddie and Sarah Johnson
Fred and I visited Cooper High School in 1993. I went to school here my
senior year and graduated in 1935.
Fred standing by the old cotton gin in Lake Creek.
Fred and I also visited Harvena 'Aunt Red' Johnson in Dallas.
Fred, C.L., Susie (Aunt Red's daughter), Tammy (Susie's daughter) and Aunt
Red,
Susie, C.L., Vivian, and Aunt Red.
Aunt Red and Vivian
Vivian, Aunt Red, C.L., Susie and Tammy
On this trip in 1993 we had a really enjoyable vacation. Fred had never been to that part of Texas and
was surprised that it was green and beautiful. Even with the bumpy train ride, Fred did quite well. His chronic
back ache seemed to be better.
In 1994 we went on a Princess Cruise to Alaska. We went with two couples that I had taught with and another couple:
the sister and brother-in-law of my team teacher, Alice Lane. We had a wonderful vacation. We were supposed to
have a wheel chair for Fred at the air ports but sometimes one was not available. Then Freddy had some trouble
keeping up but two of the fellows with us were big and strong and they looked after him to make sure he wasn't left behind.
In l995 we only took some short trips to the mountains in Arizona. In 1996 Freddy was having more
trouble with his back. His doctor put him on a diet and prescribed some pain medication.
This is a picture of the group who went on the Alaska Tour and Cruise in 1994. The two men on the left are Ken
and Bob, then Vivian (me), Fred in the red jacket, Angie, Ken's wife, Alice, Bob's wife and Jimmy. Jimmy looks very
stern in this picture. He is a retired U.S.A. Brigadier General. I guess he had to look stern some time. Later
you will see some pictures where he looks happy and I think he is as happy as I am. When I lost Fred I didn't think
I would ever be happy again. But I am grateful for my life and I am happy. Thank you, Lord!
It is 1996 now. The pain medication prescribed did not help Freddy very much. We continued to see our family
members but it was difficult. We were invited to my nephew's home for Thanksgiving dinner. It was an excellent
dinner, one that Fred usually enjoyed. But on the way home he said, "That was the worst meal I have ever had."
Nothing tasted good to him.
Our children and grandchildren were here in December and so Fred refused to go to the doctor until after the holidays.
I made an appointment with his physician for January 2, 1997. His physician was concerned about his condition and ordered
a series of tests. The tests revealed massive cancer of the liver and pancrease. The cancer was inoperable.
It was devastating news. He went into the hospital on January 7. He was there for tests for a week,
then in hospice for two weeks. He passed away on January 27, 1997. Super Bowl Sunday was January 26. We
watched and listened to the game. Fred was semi-conscious but I think he knew that his beloved Green Bay Packers won
over the New England Patriots.
What do you do when you lose your companion, soulmate and best friend of fifty five years? Well, you go through
the motions of living but I don't think you are really alive. My children and friends were wonderful about getting me
out of the house to dinner, lunch, or a movie. I had been a volunteer for my church and several other institutions.
I had a lot of business to take care of, too, which was a blessing. My friends invited me on some 'dates' but
nothing, or no one, was interesting.
Three years passed actually very quickly. On February 29, 2000, two of my teacher friends were retiring from
teaching and a dinner party was planned. My friend, Alice, suggested that her brother-in-law, James Stallings, come
by for me and take me to the dinner. There is a story here but I won't tell it at this time.
This 'date' was nice, and so another date was planned, which was nice, also. Jimmy's wife, Eleanor, had passed
away a few months after Fred. I guess he was a little lonesome, too.
Edgar-Price Summary
|
