LEADING UP TO MY DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION (FOR TREATMENT OF PD SYMPTOMS)

Leading up to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)--a peace for my mind and in my soul!
 October 2013:  

I have been kind of overwhelmed by life and it's menagerie of situations.  here's a brief summary:    i sit here very anxious, but not worried,  excited yet trying to keep it together, in a hotel before checking in later today for pre-op for DBS* deep brain stimulation* at wake forest.

SOME BACKGROUND TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED.....i WAS DIAGNOSED WITH pARKINSON'S DISEASE IN noV 2002.  i HAD TO LEAVE A JOB i LOVED AS AN ANALYTICAL CHEMIST For 17 YEARS IN mAY 2007.  By 2012 i WAS HAVING TO TAKE MORE PILLS AT  A HIGHER CONCENTRATION AND MORE FREQUENTLY TO CONTROL MY PD SYMPTOMS THAT INCLUDED RIGIDITY, SLOWNESS OR AT TIMES no MOVEMENT, AND WITH MY MEDS i WAS EXPERIENCING on/OFF PERIODS AND HAD TRIED MOST OTHER MEDICAL/DRUGS TYPICALLY used for therapies FOR pd. i HAD MADE IT THROUGH THE LOSS OF MY MOM IN 2010 AND MY DAUGHTER WHO DIED AT AGE 19 IN EARLY 2013.  bUT EACH TIME, AFTER MY BODY RECOVERED THE PARKINSON'S WAS A BEAR TO DEAL WITH.

my neurologist back home had told me for 2 years now "you are a good candidate for dbs" and i would always tell him "i'm just not too ready to have someone poke around in my head.  plus i said, i'm busy trying to raise and keep up with my daughter who was a junior in high school at that time.  our daughter graduated with honors may 2012 and was planning on moving out soon to go to college.  well as life would have it, her boyfriend of 3 years said "i'd like to marry your daughter" he told us this 2 months after she graduated high school.  we said "ok, when?"  thinking the next summer or spring.  he said "august 18  ...this year."  talk about makin' a momma with pd shake ...that did it. but with the help of amazing family and friends they were joyfully wed aug 18.  they went on a honeymoon cruise, came home, moved their stuff 2 hours down the way, started their own business, and our daughter started college at a local community college in the area in which they lived.  we would venture down there way about once ever month and a half to see them....they were so happy and doing well.  they even had a new family member...a puppy..of course.  so i had a a grand -dogger...and wasn't able to take it out by myself since pd was on a tear and changing fast.   don't guess any of those significant life changes had an effect there, huh?  lol

my husband and i were slowly getting used to the 'empty nest' and we got the call every parent dreads.  now i  was spoiled by having a healthy child.  she rarely had ear infections as a young child, she played sports most of her life from age 5-18 and never had a broken bone or other significant health issue.  but on the morning of feb. 27, 2013 around 9 am. i was sitting in my living room floor trying to wait for an "on" time with meds and got a call from my daughter's phone.  a guy friend who we had just recently met said, "carol's had an accident and fell in glass and there is lots of blood...we ARE waitinG for cOOPER TO GET HERE...and then they may air lift her to the hospital."  he had to go ..he said he or her husband would call us back. 

i of course immediately went into full shaking mode.  i could not hit the right buttons on the phone to call my husband.   i looked outside and our neighbors were just leaving and i screamed at them for help.  we got my husband on the phone and tried to tell him the best we could of what we knew from that one call. HE came home as fast as he could, a friend drove us two hours to the town where she was injured.  it was the most awful time in my life.i was able to talk briefly to her husband who had been directed to a hospital 45 minutes away only to find out she had not been transferred there. i prayed for my new son-IN-LAW's safety as we all were trying to find out how and what happened and how long it would be before she would be better.  cooper, carol's husband of only 6 months, got to the hospital about 20 minutes before us.  we entered the emergency room area and the receptionist directed us to where he was...and the look on her face was the first time my heart screamed "oh nooooooo"  'we found cooper sobbing and he told us he was sorry.  our daughter had died before any of us got there from a fall into a glass display case at a business beside theirs after she unexpectedly passed out.

our lives have forever been changed since that day.  she called me one day after she was married and said "mom, are you going to do the dbs (DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION--A SURGICAL PROCEDURE THAT HAS BEEN FOUND TO IMPROVE SOME pARKINSON DISEASE SYMPTOMS IN SOME PEOPLE)?"  and i replied "yes, i had my first evaluation appointment in decEMBER 2012, and hope to have it done by summer 2013" 

 it has taken a little longer to get here but i am ready to rock n roll with SOME electrodeS AND holes in my head.  I am not sure I can explain it but from the first appointment at Wake Forest I had a peace about it all.  This in part may have been because I had prayed and told God that he had to take the worry from  me and he did!  

aS  PART OF THE SCREENING THAT WAKE FOREST DOES FOR POTENTIAL DBS PATIENTS, YOU MUST SEE 4 DOCS ( A NEURO AND AN EVALUATION OFF MEDS FOR 12 HOURS--TORTURE TO SAY THE LEAST FOR ME AT THIS place IN THE GAME; A NEUROSURGEON; A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST; AND A PSYCHIATRIST)  AND IT JUST TAKES AWHILE. i WAS ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD THINk ABOUT MY mental and emotional state since carol had died.  AFter seeing all these doctors they meet to decide if i was a good candidate for dbs.  

Finally in late summer of 2013 I was really struggling with symptoms and down to taking PD meds about every 2.5 hours to be able to move And received word that I would be having the first stage of dbs surgery in October 2013.   I would have the right side brain placement for the worst side of my symptoms (body left side) and then most likely the second side done around 4-6 months later.  i WAS HOPING TO HAVE BOTH SIDES OF MY BRAIN HAVE AN ELECTRODE INSERTED IN THE SAME SURGERY BUT THEY THOUGHT DIFFERENT (AND ARE PROBABLY RIGHT). 

fOR MORE ABOUT MY ACTUAL SURGERY SEE ONE OF MY OTHER BLOG POSTS.  I have written and self published a book about my daughter entitled "Carol's smile- the life and legacy of Carol hensley singletary"

stay tuned, i aint' finished with this life yet.

judy

Hanging with the Young at Heart

I am on a trip to the Amish country in Ohio as I type this.  Our fearless leader, Pete Tackett, the pastor at Antioch Baptist, Johnson City, told me when I got on the bus "Once you go on a trip with the Young at Heart (aka Senior Citizens) you'll never want to go on any trip with church youth again."  And I am thinking he is so, so very right!  I am having a great time.   

As I went to bed last night I thought about the differences between the Young at Heart and the Youth and how trips have been in the past and now that I have been a part of one with the YAH..  Here are several things:

1.  The YAH know how to be ON time for activities and the use of a shared  bus.  Youth ...well, just add about 30 minutes to the requested meeting time and you might have them all there.  Actually the YAH will be on the bus ready to roll 5 minutes ahead of the requested meeting time'.

2.  Youth ....especially more than 2 together will have 'drama'.   Whereas YAH don't have drama with each other.  They think 'drama' is something you watch on a stage  or TV.

3.  One of the reasons the YAH don't have drama is that you hardly ever hear them complain about the foot, the accommodations, the agenda, etc.  Oh my, Youth they can quickly get to complaining about something.  

4.  Youth take pictures and put on Facebook of them and their girlfriend or boyfriend.  YAH take pictures of the great food they are having and  post on Facebook.  Now that gives tells you a lot about priorities right there.

5.  Youth drink energy drinks in cans and YAH drink coffee in cups.

6.  You ask a YAH how old they are and they will avoid telling you their exact age or something like "I am old enough to be your parent!"; whereas Youth will say "I am 17 and a half".  Those half years really count when you are young, I guess.

7.  YAH men use belting or suspenders to help keep their pants up.  Youmg men have no idea what to do with a belt.  And they think it is OK to wear the waistline of their pants/shorts anywhere above their ankles and below their hips.

8.  Young girls dye their hair to stand out in a crowd.  YAH women  dye their hair to blend in the crowd.

9.  YAG appreciate help with their technology.  Youth expect the YAH to 

get it the first time.  Youth would rather not say they 'don't get it'  than to ask a YAH to help them with just about anything.

These are just a few things i came up with concerning differences in Youth and Young at Heart.

Would You Regret Not Having a Better Relationship with a Team Mate?

Several years ago, I attended the basketball or volleyball regionals (I don't remember the specific occasions) for Carol's team in the Tennessee  Athletic Association of Christian Schools.  As part of their participation in a tournament they had to attend chapel at least once during the multi-day event.  So for chapel at a this organization, the girls have to wear a skirt or dress and the guys have to wear a tie and button up shirt.  As you can imagine this is not one of their most favorite thing to do.

At this one tournament chapel time, I was there and had to wear my skirt and attend as well (I was a chaperon or assisting in volleyball).   I remember we were all together at first to sing some songs and then they took the girls and me, to another room.  There  a young lady spoke to us about her former team mates on a championship team out of Chattanooga.   She most spoke about where they were at the time some 10 years later  and the activities in which they  were involved.  What I remember was her joy in describing many of her team mates were  now mothers of children, happily married and involved in their churches.  But what struck me is she told about one girl on their team who was kind of stand-offish, and she was the only one from their team mates that they could not find out where she was and what her current status was.  And you could sense that it really bothered that young woman.  She said several of the other girls on  the team tried to find this one particular young lady's-a-where a bouts, but to no avail.

So many things could have happened to the loner on the team, and the young woman telling us this said she was most concerned because she didn't know if that one young lady was a Christian or not.  She regretted not keeping in touch and being a part of that girls's life.  She questioned whether the young woman could have been involved with drugs or in a bad relationship.  Perhaps she dealt with a serious depression over a life situation.  Or maybe she just wanted someone to come and be concerned about her, and what would she have done if no one around her reached out to her.

I think there is a good lesson here.  How hard is it to talk to someone who may be sitting at a  lunch table by themselves; or why is it so easy to  judge them ....at all?  Why can't we let them know they are valued and loved?   Will our other friends be so shallow as to  ridicule us for speaking or being kind to someone who they deem unfit to  be in their social circle?

It is time to step out and just be Jesus to these who seem to want to avoid all contact.  If it is not meant to be that you can reach them through some sort of common ground, God will let you know and He will take it from there.  But if you will recall,  Jesus often interacted with the down and out of humanity in His time here on earth.  He invited them to eat with Him, to be healed by Him, but mostly He wanted them to feel like a special person because they met  HIM!

Just think about how it could be if you wasted an opportunity to plant a seed of curiosity about Jesus....maybe one day you might be standing in front of a group of young people telling them about the great team you had and how so many have gone on to do great things for Jesus, but that one person--who no one really got to know...you heard they got pretty depressed  and committed suicide.  I hope you don't have to regret not keeping tabs on your team  even after you play ball together.  And maybe you can say something like "It took us a while to find out where the young lady who seemed kind of distant was at because she gave her life to Jesus and is now a missionary in a remote part of Africa.  We know from a few  letters from her that she would like to join her old team mates for a little reunion, but we know she would so appreciate your prayers for the people she is attempting to be Jesus to in that country."

Will you step out of your comfort zone?  Will you share the love of Jesus with another person?  Will you build and keep a relationship with someone who might be trying to find their purpose in life?  This challenge is for me, too!  I can do better, and I want to do better.  Please God point me to those who I can be kind to and let me realize when the right opportunity comes about to share your love with them!

Judy
Oct. 19, 2015

Does the Online World Give us the Liberty to be Mean?

I have been thinking about the title that  I have given this blog/thought/insight-of-how-judy's-mind-works and was wondering "does anyone else think people can be so very mean online"?  I mean, it doesn't matter if you are a Christian, so-called-Christian, a person who does not believe in any god or supreme being, karma, or else....wouldn't it be nice, civil or almost pleasant to agree to disagree with some semblance of respect to one another.

Case in point: Miss Colorado Talent for Miss USA 2015  if you go and look at the link you can see and hear a very nice monologue by Miss Colorado in the talent part of this year's Miss America contest.  She talks about being a nurse and an Alzheimer's patient who changed her view of why she became a nurse. If you scroll down past the adds and other links to other videos,  you can read a ton of vehement 'going-ons' (or the more commonly used term:  COMMENTS).  Yes, people claiming that 'nursing is not a gift --it is a skill',  and remarks by those who line up and support a young nurse who claims she does not believe in 'god-given gifts'  and others who line up and comment leading to a rather unneeded escalation of emotions.

It is almost sickening.  So would these people say the same thing if they were standing  in front of each other?  I doubt it.  But on the internet, we don't know those 'other people' who for some reason  just don't agree with our opinion or anyone else's opinion, and it seems that people just won't let silly things be just that.  And somewhere, whether it was intentional or not, the topic of the comments has nothing to do with the object first viewed or read.  Come on people.  Can we not even be civil?

And believe me...I am asking myself the same question.   Why do I let these people get my blood pressure up?  I don't know them.  I should  not even care what they say.  But  OH! I tell myself, how good it would feel to let someone know their comment was idiotic...or made no logical sense.  If I were standing in a group discussing their discontentment, I would not say a word.

Why is it we let that  feel of internet anonymity to allows us to 'spit words of hate' at others?  Rise above it, people.  Yes, that means me too..even my thoughts.  I want to live my life in such a way that it will speak volumes to others about loving our neighbors, being  tolerant, and even showing tough love sometimes. I will just admit this:  it is a daily struggle..... to try and be nice to un-nice people.   It is hard some days to think that you can even make a difference...when you read such mean comments people say to one another...or even you.  But just believe this:  God isn't worried about your worries, He just wants your all to be for HIM.  He wants to team-up with you ..... to overcome all the worries you may have!

And when when life gets you worn-out, maybe this little quote I saw this week will help  you out:  "WORRY brings STRESS,.  GOD brings REST." (guidepost reader Wanda McDaniel)  So when those comments leave you wanting to 'get em back'....just pray for them instead.  They may say they don't want you to..but do it anyway.  They may thank you when they get to know you in heaven!

Blessings,

Judy 9/15/2015

My Parkinson's Journey by Judy Hensley

               My name is Judy and I live in Northeast Tennessee. I am a mom, a daughter, a                    sister, a wife, a friend, a neighbor, and a woman determined to win in a fight with a                chronic, degenerative illness …Parkinson’s disease!

   I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in Nov 2002, after having soreness in my left thumb, shoulder and foot for about a year. I remember being so tired that summer. Just two years before that I may have had the first signs of something wrong when after taking Taekwondo for 3 years I was losing steam in class; it was harder to do those pushups; and my left hand would tremor when I held it out from my body. After going to an orthopedic doctor for 6 months and trying arthritis medicine, physical therapy, and a steroid shot in shoulder, he decided I should see a neurologist when I told him that people were asking me why I was limping on my left foot. Talk about getting scared really fast, that will do it to you.

  You know how they say turning 40 is the pits. I can relate. I had just turned 40 when a couple of months later I would have a CAT scan to see if anything was unusual inside my head. Everything in my brain “looked normal” so the neurologist said “I want you to try this little yellow pill”. Thanks to the services of internet searching, I had already read up on what illness I might be diagnosed with based on my symptoms. From reading about Sinemet, ‘that little yellow pill’, I knew if my symptoms were improved by that little pill that I had a problem …..and it’s name in capital letters was PD.

  Sure enough on my follow-up one week after taking Sinemet, my husband and I were told that I had young onset Parkinson’s disease. The doctor put the best possible spin on the diagnosis, but I’m not too sure I heard much after those words: Parkinson’s disease. My mind was racing, thinking “my life is over…I’ll be an invalid soon” and all I wanted to do was not cry in front of the doctor. I made it to the car and wept like I never had all the way home and for several hours later.

  After an easy transition to taking Sinemet and feeling almost like normal again, there were all the thoughts of “how long until…????” and “who do I tell and when????” “what about work????” I knew I had to talk to someone else who had been in this situation. .. In early 2004 I met Peggy Willocks, a lady who has Parkinson’s and who lives in a neighboring city. She has become a great friend, an inspiration, and a mentor to me. She started a local young onset PD group which I joined after meeting her. I’m learning though that support groups are not for everyone, but I find it to be a help and comfort as I can meet and discuss with others who have Parkinson’s how they adjusted to the diagnosis and that helps me figure out how am I going to cope with PD. I have made numerous friends online through some PD websites and have had the great privilege to meet several of them in person. These online friends give me hope and inspire me at almost any time of the day or night!

  I will admit, Parkinson’s disease is a very scary disease—you do not know how it is going to progress, or how many pills you will be taking a year from now, or if you will consider a brain surgery called DBS where and an electrode implanted in your brain may help your tremors, or if you would decide to try a clinical trial to help further research about PD. Then there are more questions like: Will my family help/understand/support me? Will my friends abandon me? Will I be able to make a difference in this world with a chronic illness? These questions with no fixed answers can drive you crazy. But as you live with Parkinson’s disease you ‘discover it’ and realize it is different for everyone, just as the symptoms can be different for everyone you speak to about it. I find a peace in the midst of all my uncertainties by praying in faith to God - who I know knows all the answers! I find a direction and contentment for my life with Parkinson’s disease through the everlasting love of my God. I look around when I get down and notice other lives in darker turmoil or pain and I’m reminded “I have no reason to complain, but every reason to keep on loving, laughing, and living!”

  Some tidbits of advise I would offer you and your family and friends if you have just found out you have Parkinson’s are: don’t retreat from reality, look for the good in every situation, find and hold on to good moral support, take this opportunity to look and learn about yourself, don’t ‘manufacture misery’ by looking too far into the uncertain future, stay active, explore new hobbies or tasks that you may not have considered before, find a cause you can support (like a cure for this illness) and ENJOY life in spite of the shadow PD may cast on your life!

  I have taken this motto to heart: “I WILL endure for a cure!” And I intend to do just that and do my best to help others with this illness find hope and encouragement to face each day!

  I would like to thank my family and many supportive friends for their daily

encouragement and faith in me and in the possibility of a cure for this illness someday. I love you and don’t know what I would do without you!

All the best wishes for you in your journey,

       Judy Hensley

POEM The Coat that Could (part 4 about da coat)

One day in 2005, I (judy) went into a discount store

my eye was caught by colorful coats by the door

I looked at the tag and gasped at the original retail price

and then I thought "at $15, this 90% discount is really nice!"

So I shelled out the cash and took the gorgeous coat home

and planned to wear it when I deemded that the time was right.

the day Carol left for church camp that  seemed a perfect time
for the coat to appear and help break any camp grind

and on that glorious day,the bright multicolored coat had it's debute
and a remarkable journey of smiles with family and friends began

But Carol did not share in the vision of fun of thisin the 15 dollar, bright and gaudy coati had found
and she would have nothing to do with me and this new 'da coat' as I shared it with everyone around! "

She begrudgingly took the coat to camp for all of them to enjoy for the week

and planned it's demise so that there would be no more coat repeats!

One day while Carol was away, I got a call asking if da coat might stay at camp Where it could continue the ministry it had started and was deemed a camp-champ!  
the counselor assured me that Carol's request was sincere
so I gave permission allowing the coat to stay, 
but as soon as i hung up the phone i regretted it and went to buy another one that day! 

off i went to to see if i could find another one of these incredible coats,
and with luck and good fortune ....I  found one marked at half off in another  BigLots store
and i was elated with a joy mixed with mischievousness that i danced with glee, 
 all the way to the register, to purchase another 'da coat....he he heeeee!

You should have seen my girl's face the day they returned to town, 
When she saw what i was wearing ,
Oh how quickly that smile turned into a frown, 
as i danced and giggled with joy as i wore another one of 'da coat I had found.

It became my mission to show my daughter

that 'da coat is special and she was the only doubter

so I asked many friends at church and other places

to join in some fun and put it on and make big smiley faces!

I soon began to wonder if my obsession with this coat could be due to my PD

so I took 'da coat on a trip to a PD conference to see.

Some of my Parkie friends were skeptical of it's power

but when they saw others put it on, their mind was changed in less than an hour.

This coat now has a life of it's own

if you get a chance to put it on, just do it and you'll see

it feels wonderful, it's so bright and cheery, you'll have to also put on a smile

and let me take your picture to show everyone it was worthwhile.

What once was "Judy's coat" is now referred to as 'da Coat

because it is no longer mine but it represents a community of mine

of family, friends, men and women with Parkinson's disease

who are not afraid of having some fun--thank you, try it on, please!

In July 'da coat will accompany Strong Feather Eileen of The Regulars

as a team climbs Mount Kilimangaro in Africa to raise awareness of Parkinson's and Alzheimers

I hope the coat makes it to the top, but if that should not come to be

the Regulars all are heros to people like me

You see they know that 'together we work for a cure'....

Me, you, kids, friends and many others who live ordinary lives

but make an extraordinary difference in our future

by being bold and courageous, tand helping all of us with PD to live with  hope and survive.

'da Coat has traveled near and far

it's been worn by people, animals, statues, and even a couple of preach'ars

and I've got over 400 pictures of others and such joy wearing the coat,
and although my daughter still does not like 'da coat, it will not stop my ploy

to sharing a little bit of joy along each of our pathways

Come along with me and da coat  and enjoy the little things each and every day!

If you have worn the coat and would like to tell how it made you feel, I'd like to share it with others in a selfish effort to bring awareness to Parkinson's disease!  

Thanks,

Judy Hensley ....a gal living in Tennessee diagnosed with Young onset Parkinson's disease, still determined to endure for a cure! 

judy 8/19/15

The Coat that Could Part 3

Part 3--Learnings from the Coat

I thought I would write some things that my outlandishly wild coat has taught me. This is the coat that brings me great joy whenever I put it on or have a new friend put it on. Besides learning that my daughter thinks the coat is atrocious, I started thinking about how some people reaction to this bright coat and my suggestion to try it on has some parallels to a Biblical story and my chronic condition of PD.

 

First the coat is colorful and draws some attention, and it reminds me of the Bible story of Joseph and the coat of many colors his father gave him. And although I'm sure it was a treasured item because his father gave it to him, it caused some bad feelings with his brothers and ultimately was the straw that broke their backs. That coat brought Joseph adversity from his brothers; he ended up sold into slavery. He overcame that and became a personal servant of the queen only to end up in jail over a misunderstanding. He overcame that and became the right hand man of the ruler after interpreting a dream. All that started with the coat? Yes in a way.

 








When I thought about it ...wearing that coat kind of parallels having Parkinson's. The symptoms eventually make us stand out; we may be ridiculed by others for standing out in an such a way that we may not have much control over. But I'm here to tell you, PD may be an adversity we face, but we can turn it into an advantage in our lives if we just keep a positive attitude. My Parkinson's has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people; it has helped me move out of a comfort zone into an active roll in the effort to fundraise for a cure; and it has helped me become more attentive to life around me and more compassionate to others.

Next, the coat makes me stand out and gives me an opportunity to tell others why PD makes us stand out. It is at first an uncomfortable feeling you have from standing out when you put the coat on....kind of like when you first find out you have PD. You wonder how people will accept you. I've found people who really don't find the coat that appealing will still put it on as a form of acceptance for me. It also gives me a chance to tell them this may be the coat I have to wear for now, a disease I have to live with for now. I ask people to not ridicule people with handicaps that may cause them to have unwanted attention drawn to them, but to treat them with compassion and be helpful if you can.  While I may stand out in this coat or my illness, I am going to take the opportunity to tell people about PD and let them know what it's like, and hopefully they'll be more inclined to support a cure.

Third, the coat has become somewhat of a trademark or way I am recognized--as a really crazy Parkie lady! I had my picture taken wearing the bright coat and a clown wig to be included in a published book called "Proud Hands of Parkinson's" This book includes stories of 28 people whose lives have been impacted by Parkinson's. I've subtitled my own page in my book as "Proud Coat of Parkinson's". But I'm learning that like wearing this wild coat, my life with PD is unique to me and I'm learning to be more comfortable in it. I mean, just think of these other people who have trademark clothing or accessories and how well associated they have become with them: Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, Mr Rodger's and his cardigan, ELVIS--enough said, Mr. T and his pile of gold jewerly, Minnie Pearl and her hat with the hanging price tag, Barney Fife and his gun with no bullet, Granny and her long dress and spectacles from Beverly Hillbillies, and what about Tarzan and his loincloth, Daniel Boone and his coonskin hat, and Batman with his hooded face cover and those gloves and shoes? Soon to be added to the list: Judy with PD and the multicolored coat.

The Coat that Could Part 2

PART 2 of Judy’s Story of da Coat

I've described my COAT of many bright-colored flowers that I purchased at a discount retail store and sent with my daughter to church camp around 2006 in a previous post. I will continue to share some things I have learned from this coat here in Part 2. 

It seems that people either love or hate the coat. I even asked myself why I liked the coat so much and I wondered if my PD would have influenced my sense of style?

 I wondered if I liked the coat so much due to changes in my brain from PD, so I thought "I'll see if other people with PD like the coat?” So I took it with me to a Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease in Reston, VA in after Carol returned home with the coat in the summer of 2006.

 A couple of friends who were also going to be at the conference were very vocal about not being seen with me  and the coat anywhere near me. You think that bothered me? No way!

The first night, our hotel room was the meeting point for about 7 ladies with PD.  I told them to get ready and got the coat out and modeled it. I then asked if anyone else wanted to wear it? And everyone did except for one person. I’m not the type to pressure anyone, so I left it at knowing 6 of the 7 ladies loved the coat. They put it on and modeled it, twirled in it, laughed in it, had pictures made in it! I told you …..it is FUN to wear! After a couple of days people were asking to see the coat so I took it to the hospitality room one night. Much fun was had when even the guys put it on!

  The COAT even made a guest appearance at a PD

fundraiser in New Jersey in 2007!  One of the band members wore it the whole evening. So as you can see, the COAT has a wide reputation. For me... when I am wearing it …Ican feel free to laugh and forget the symptoms of PD for a little while.

Comments from others who have gotten the coat to wear:

Karen in CA:...Well I have to share with you Judy has been calling every day asking my hubby if "the box" had arrived yet...Behold the famous Judy4etsu Floral Coat was inside...along with goodies from the Unity Walk... and other wonderful items. It was the highlight of my day!!! I have had so much fun showing this and explaining it to my friends. And I'm so glad I gotten to make new friends who share challenges of pd with spunk and determination.

See part 3 for “Learnings from the coat…”

The Coat that Could Part 1

Da Coat and Its Origin and Objectives by Judy Hensley

Part 1—How I Came to Obtain This Lovely Coat

Many people have asked me to tell them about this coat I started showing off around the year 2006.  I had been diagnosed 4 years with Parkinson’s Disease at this time.  My daughter Carol was 13 years old…that age where they expect their parents to act their age.  Well my daughter got me with PD and a need to be seen and heard and to embarrass her whenever I could. So here we go…sit back and read the story of “The Coat that Could”!

 My picture wearing this coat is the one that will also be in the "Proud Hands of Parkinson's” book along with a brief story of my Parkinson’s journey there. Just so you will know, I'll tell you the story of how I got this bright colored coat and used it to spread awareness about Pakinson’s disease and as only a mother can do, I used it to embarrass and make a point to my daughter.

Part 1 How I came to Aquire the Coat

  A couple of summers ago I went in a discount store and saw some bright floral, light rain jackets with a designer name tag and an original retail price of near $200. I thought of buying it for $15 to use in skits at church. I thought the larger jackets felt better on, so I bought it, took it home and put it in a closet.

  A week or so later my daughter was leaving for church camp, so I thought “just in case she gets sad about being away from her Dear Mom and Dear Dad”, I could lighten up the occasion by wearing the coat. She got in our van as I picked up a few more snacks out of the pantry and as I grabbed the coat out of the closet I put it on with some really cool sunglasses and bounced out to the van!

 My Dear Daughter gasped and said "Mother, where did you get that ugly coat? And why do you have it on?" (I know I have really done a great job embarrassing her  when she refers to me as 'mother'--she was 12 at the time.) My reply was "Baby, I'm sending you off in style!!" And you know the next thing she said, don't you? YES, it was “You ARE taking that jacket OFF before my friends see you, aren't you?" To which I just smiled and we proceeded to the church as my mind was formulating a plan. 

 As soon as we got to the church, Carol bolted out of the van got her stuff and gave me that look….you know the one…it is the “I-dare-you-to-get-that-thing-close-to-me” look.  It didn’t work on me and since I could not go with them that summer to camp, l sent that coat with them.  I had to, everyone was going crazy over it!!!! My Dear Daughter left that day swearing that she would find a way for the coat to stay at camp!  I heard her little plan and told her it had to return or she was gonna be in big trouble!

 As it turned out, the coat went to church camp in South Carolina and it was a big hit there!  Just like I knew it would be. Camp was almost over and I got a call from one of the adults who went to camp with the kids. She said, 'your daughter has something to ask you and I think she is sincere'. My Dear Daughter then tells me in her most sweet angelic voice that she would like to donate the coat to camp so that many people all summer might enjoy it! I told her I could tell that she had honorable intentions, so I agreed to let that coat stay in South Carolina.

  The next day on my lunch hour, I popped into the discount store in another city, and low-n-behold....there was my beautiful coat, and on CLEARANCE for $7.50!!!! Now who could pass it up? I could not wait to pick up my Dear Daughter the next day in the coat she just loved!!! Her look when she saw me....well, it was priceless!!!!!!!!!!!

 Since my daughter hated the coat so much, it became my goal to demonstrate to her that she was in the minority on this, so it became my goal to ask as many people as I could to put the coat on and let me take their picture in it to show my daughter how mistaken she was about the lvely, multicolored coat. I tormented her with that coat,  pictures of others in it, and even mailed it to people in several states and they would send me pics of them and their friends with the coat on.  I think she finally realized the only way to get away from the coat was to move.  So she went and got married in the summer of 2012 and the tormenting her by the coat ceased. I had to promise on my life NOT TO HAVE THE COAT SHOW UP AT HER WEDDING.  I was a good momand honored my promise.

 

Stay tuned and I will tell you more about the coat's adventures in part 2.

Chaos in Chattanooga Tennessee on July 16, 2015

Some days even with your head buried in the sand you cannot avoid it.  The conflict in the world. The battle with an "idealism" of radical Islam.  It seems the world has gone crazy, off-kilter, and beyond explanation.  There is evil in the world and as long as it is here, it will cause chaos.  The only thing I know that can overcome this chaos is peace in the form of God's love for us.  And until we can show the world how REAL His love is, they will keep searching.  

Those who commit these kinds of killing may have ideas of recognition, for some kind of  reward --in one form or another, for a temporary rush of adrenaline or drug affect that makes one think they are invincible.  We may ask "Why? do they do  these things?"  As humans we want to blame someone or something. But that is not all, we also want to  understand why such a thing would happen.  

I suppose my line of thinking was brought on by the killings and wounding of military personnel in Chattanooga yesterday.  It was also the day of judgement of guilty of first degree murder of a man who killed 12 and injured over 70 in an Aurora Colorado movie theater in 2012.  I will not name these people;  I will not give them any recognition;  I will try not to judge them.  I will leave that to God.  But I was struck by the fact that one of four  Marines killed in Chattanooga was 21 years old and was in the city for 2 weeks of reserve training.  
This young man graduated the same year as my daughter (2012).  My daughter, Carol, died in Feb 2013.   The news reporter said his last text to his girlfriend said "active shooter".  He had no way of defending  himself.  I cannot imagine what his parents are going  through.  I don't know what it would be like to have another human take the live of one to which i gave life.  I pray for God's comfort to be so very real to them. 

So many questions these days---why, why, why????  So many in pain, so many looking for answers.  All I know is it is hard to lose one we love to a  crazy situations without some kind of explanation.   I was looking for a blog that a woman had written who had been in the movie theater in Aurora, CO when a man killed 12 and injured 70 some, when I came across an article by Lee Strobel.   I think his examination of the most asked question of "Why does God allow suffering and tragedy?"  is very well stated.  You can find the transcript of his speech at https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/07/why-does-god-allow-tragedy-and-suffering/

The one statement that rings true with me in this speech by Lee Strobel is this: when bad things happen we can either turn bitter and run away from God or turn to God for peace and comfort.  I have turned to God for peace in some life lessons and have had no regrets.  I know I will see my daughter again some day and if I still want to know 'why?" about her death, it may make more sense when God explains it to me in heaven than  now.

I am praying for all involved in the Chattanooga tragedy.  Although we search for answers and a way to keep it from happening again, I pray those affected will realize God's love for them even in this hard loss.  He is the only one who can help up through times like these and He has promised to do so.  And that is a promise I have known as truth.

Judy
July 17, 2015

The Disconnected World

I was out the other day on Sunday evening in my car and noticed how barren the roadways were.   Even at the Mall, yes I still do shopping the 'old' way by traveling to the store, I can see that the hallways and stores seem less crowded.  So I shop and go to purchase some items and the person ringing you up wants your email, and ask if you have their free app on your phone.  Sigh.   Is it just me or is this all becoming the norm?   

Sometimes I feel the 'oldness' creeping up on me.  I don't want to get more email...I have trouble managing mine as it is.  And I don't want to worry about viruses, trojans, and malware...geez, not only are we becoming disconnected we are getting mean.   Hackers ....you should be ashamed of yourself.  

I wonder if my grandkids that I will never have would think it would be acceptable to text me on special occassions.?  NO it isn't.  {that comes with a foot stomping and I don't have to feel guilty saying that cause --just because!)  

Here is my point.  I like Facebook;  OK, I love Facebook as a way to keep up with my family and friends that live away (and some right here in town) and aren't too busy to post a kind greeting to me every once in awhile.  And yes, I do absolutely hate texting and auto-correct.  Just call me 'granny'; I think I am already used to the idea.  But with all its greatness there is something  lost now days in the way we communicate.  I was surprised when a young friend could not read some cursive writing in a book I had.   I know how they feel, my mom used to write sensitive stuff in 'short-hand' and I had no idea what it said, but thought it looked pretty.

Then some people judge you by what font you use...fonts are like character or personality.  Just be careful using ALL  CAPITALS; someone might think you are yelling at them.  Sure I can use a different font when I want to speak in a different dialect,  but it is just not the same as being able to giggle at my friend from Boston who says  "pizzer and bea-year" for pizza and beer"  (as close as i can type the pronunciation--thank you spellcheck, that is a big word).   

And what about those special English rules like "I before E except after ?"  Pretty soon our elementary schools are not going to have anything to teach. ......NO cursive, they are pushing for NO MATH, and since the computer or phone can correct all your boo boos, why have ENGLISH, except to have  favorite font to write your book report (5 pages doubles spaced minimum aerial 12 font size) on the last book your read.  Maybe they will indulge us, if you please, cause there are times, you might have to use paper and pen, but finding a book ,,,one with a paperback or a stronger still hardback (either known as a hardcopy) might be a trick in a few years.  Will our grandchildren be amazed to see one some day?   Yes, that is a book with pages, my child, we used them back in my day.  But your tiny computer can hold a library full of  them and even read to you if you have that whim.

Will they know how to speak with sarcasm?  Or maybe there is a way to  type it within a text, I have not learned that technique yet, but I think i should or chaos will be my mode of writing ,,,,such as it has come to be.

At least maybe now, I will be good at the 'old questions' on Jeapardy!, but if the category is NETFLIX just go ahead and sit me out.

  Always, looking for a positive and hoping to hear a human voice once in awhile!

Judy
7-7-15

P.s. and did you know you don't have to put two spaces after a period now?????

POEM Mom's Hands--honoring the life of Rebecca Ann Good

Below is a poem a friend wrote about my mother whom she met only once, and it inspired me to try to write a poem in honor of my wonderful mother, Rebecca Ann Good.  She fought so well and steadfast against colon cancer for over 8 years.

Becky's hands are beautiful
they took care of things in life
She cooked and sewed, and cleaned
when she became a wife
but most of all they're gentle
and wiped away the tears
held her loved ones fast
to take away their fears
my favorite way to see such hands
is when they were in prayer
when you take her home remember
those hands you gave to share.
~~~~~~~Sharon Dock

I took this picture of me holding mom's hand the  a few days before she died.  I was 47 years old when she died on May 20 2010. Any good in me came from her.  Love ;you and miss you bunches mom.

The poem above inspired me to add from my perspective as her daughter of 47 years


My mother’s hands are soft in mine
These hands I hold have done so much,
I am amazed at all they have done and to GOD I say…
“Thank you GOD for making my mom’s hands and heart which have blessed so many along this way!”

Her hands have been used for so many jobs,
And perhaps best used… when they clapped in praise
To songs of worship for her Savior and King
Her Creator, her Redeemer and Master of everything.

Mom used her hands to do her Lord’s work on this earth
in beautiful submission to his leadership over her life
many times she wrapped them around another for a comforting hug,
Friends, family and many of God’s children were recipients of her love.

She used her hands to help make a living
As a church secretary for many years she used them to type and answer the phone,
And after a day at the church, she might write someone a note of well wishes
Then drive us kids wherever we had to be, then fix supper and finish washing dishes.

She held my dad’s hand as wife and dear friend
For over 50  years I am proud to say
On one finger she wore a ring of this promise to him
“I will love you and cherish you forever” one day in June to Jim

Because of their love, I came to be!
And mom’s hands cuddled me so tenderly
gave me baths, fed me food ,
Even held my hand till I went into the door the first day of school

Her hands also got my attention a few times
In a discipline session where her hand met my behind
A subtle (and I use that term lightly) reminder
That mom was in the one in control  but I had better 'walk the line"--

Many more times her hands were used to encourage us
As she clapped at ballgames, band concerts and more,
For big and little accomplishments we could have only done
With her love, her guidance, and her generous helping hands

Mom’s hands were oh so proud to hold her grandchildren, joey and carol
And to give them things that have spoiled them rotten
But I’d not have it any other way
Cause they gave her such pleasure and joy-- on so many days

To sum it all up I can’t think of any way else it might be said
Other than this: mom’s hands were used to show Gods love to us
And that is a gift I can never repay
But as a legacy to honor her… I will strive to use my hands in similar ways

I’ll hold her hands now and whisper in her ear
“Mom, I’m so proud of you …You will always be in my heart… so close and so dear!”
And I’ll be rejoicing to think of the time
When Jesus takes you by your hand and smiles as he says
“Becky, I’m so glad you are a child of mine!”

And I’ve left Judy, Karen and Jim a message
…That you will be just fine
cause you are gonna live and walk forever with me
and we’re gonna enjoy some angelic music and heavenly sunshine!

Judy Hensley
5-20-10

A great friend of Carol and Cooper--in Memory of Jack Blevins

I had started writing this when Jack passed but didn't get it posted.  Please read to find out about this man who truely embodied a "Christ-like attitude" in all he did.  Jack helped coach (basketball) Carol and Cooper while they were at TCCS and was an amazing example for all of his love of the LORD!!!  JACK BLEVINS RIP (1/27/2015 530AM)  Jack was 30 years old (and if you don't read anything else, read under the part titled "what Jack would want us to know".

Much of the following is taken from a Caring Bridge online site for Jack Blevins.  I think it is worth sharing with you.  I knew Jack for just a short time, one basketball season  as he helped coach my daughter, Carol at Tri Cities Christian school.  We knew then that he was battling cancer and he still had a great faith in the LORD which he shared with those young ladies on Carol's team.

My name is Jack Blevins. I am a Christian first , and also a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. I was diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors (DSRCT) on June 16, 2010 at age 26.  
I am a believer, a fighter and a Survivor. 
I Will Fight, and I Will WIN!
My life and my cancer are in GOD'S Hands.
Semper Fidelis

His wife Cheri wrote in an online journal (1/27/2015 at 12:05am-- early the morning that  Jack passed) 

We have been shocked at how quickly his health has turned this week. Last Sunday, he was at church. On Wednesday, we had dear friends over to our home and while he was a little weaker, he was still doing well. Partway thru Thursday, he lost his strength and began having pain management issues,.......... he continues to grow more weary and weak. Today he has had few moments of clarity and alertness but the moments he has had have been very special. Even in his weakest and toughest moments here, he continues to be the most selfless man I know. I can tell he just wants to make sure I am okay. Today, after what was a very rough and troublesome night for me, I went to him and told him I loved him, to which his eyes snapped open and he said in a soft and weak voice, I love you too. He then somehow managed to lift his arm up around me so he could hug me and gave me biggest smile ever. He is still trying to protect and comfort me. Another moment of clarity was when our church ministers came to pray for Jack and he was able it muster up the energy to give them a thumbs up and tell them he loved them. Between these far and few moments of clarity, Jack is asleep. I believe we are to the point where he can no longer verbally communicate with us, but I know he can still hear us.......... 

While our hearts are heavy as we watch him slowly slip away, we are at peace with his passing. God is preparing a room for him (I imagine duke-themed) and we know it will be ready soon. While it is hard and devastating to let him go and I will miss him so very much, we know in that moment he will suffer no more. Jack and I have talked about his arrival to the pearly gates many times and we often wondered what his heavenly body will be like. We wondered if it would be much like our earthy bodies, but perfected. Jack liked to think that he would be restored to the strong body he had in  his prime during his time in the marine corps, and I can't tell you how much that excited him to know he would be able to walk and run again and no longer be in pain.  (CONTINUED BELOW)

********HERE IS WHAT I THINK JACK WANTS EACH OF US TO KNOW:    

Cheri's continued remarks:As today has passed by, my heart aches to watch him slowly fade away from us. It pains me to see him struggle and fight for his life, and you can't help but wonder why God would allow us and jack to experience such heartache. And then I think about how God sent his own son to die for our sins and how much it pained Him to watch his son suffer. He could have saved His son from that pain and he chose not to intervene. Why? Because his plan for our eternal salvation was the bigger picture and more important and Jesus knew and accepted that too. I can't help but wonder if there is a bigger picture here as well but we just don't know what it is yet? One thing I do know is that thru the story of Jack's life, he would want his fight against cancer and the testimony of his life to bring you closer to Jesus. I know this because several years ago when jack had his surgery to hopefully eradicate the cancer in his body, we found out it didn't work. I went thru a season of anger with God and became so angry I began to question his existence. It took me a while to tell jack that and when I did it broke his heart. The last thing he wanted was for this journey to put distance between me and God and I know he wouldn't want that for any of you either. I know he will be looking forward to the day of seeing us all again in Heaven and i can only imagine he will greet us with a big ole smile and hug. 

Jack passed within 6 hours of his wife writing this.  Carol always admired Jack...all the girls on her team did..and I can see why.  Thank you Jack for sharing your love of God through the opportunity to help coach some young adults at Tri Cities Christian School.  You did good.....REAL GOOD!

(if you want to read more, I shared some of a conversation Jack and I had just 2 weeks prior to his passing on my facebook page.  IF you are friends with me on Facebook you can see it at https://www.facebook.com/judy.g.hensley/posts/10152702348815028)

My Golden Beauties-IN Honor of My Related Women Married 50 Years (or a long time anyways)

  Since it is the day after Mother's day and near the big wedding month of June, I thought I would take this chance to brag on some of my women relatives who have been blessed to be married 50 + years.  They have certainly provided a Godly example of what loving their mate through it all really looks like.  Not only that, they show mine and future generations the truth about the marriage committment!

  I began thinking about this a couple of weeks ago.  I wondered how many of mine and Bill's relatives had been married 50+ years.  I realize that health conditions may have cut short some of these unions as well.  I will try and give you a little background on these people as well as I can remember.  

  My paternal grandparents:  Edith and Paul Good.  They were  married on Sept 9, 1933.  The moved to Jonesborough TN early in their marriage (from Iowa--i think).  My Pappaw was a farmer and he also was a milk man until he decided to go into business for himself.  He converted a school bus into a rolling store and provided door-to-door service for many out in the rural counties of east Tennessee.  I had the pleasure of riding his route with him one time.   Every one loved Pappaw Paul; including his grandkids because we got to pick free candy out of the store/bus.  I remember Pappaw for two thing mostly:  he always wore overalls (even to church) and he rarely used the indoor plumbing facilities but preferred doing his "business" in the outhouse by the hen barn. My Mammaw Edith stayed at home and made Pappaw the happy man he was.  I remember her enjoying crossword puzzles alot.  She had a couple of strokes in her later days and her family helped take care of her at home until her last days (they did this for over 2 years).  When she passed she was 76 and she and Pappaw had been married for  55 years.  That is a long time, and you have to know that not every minute of it was sweet, but somehow they found a way to make it work, and work well. 
  Just two and a half years later Pappaw died at the age of 78 of some kind of cancer that was discovered after Mammaw died.  I was 26 when my Mammaw Edith died.  She left me a picture of her and Pappaw sitting on the bumper of their old Ford car because I thought Pappaw was so handsome in that picture.

My maternal grandparents were also referred to as Mammaw and Pappaw.   Luther Chase and Euna (Tommy) were married for around 40 years.  My Pappaw Luther passed on Feb. 2, 1977.  He was the first of my grandparents to die and I was 15 years old.  My Pappaw Luther had several health problems and was often quite grumpy.  Just being honest.  He also had emphysema (and continued to smoke) and also had what they then called palsy.  He moved slow and this makes me think he actually had Parkinson's disease.  He worked for many years at Eastman, reitired in disability, and then as a part-time farmer and constable.  His hand might have shook when not holding a pistol, but when he went to a turkey shoot he usually came back with a turkey for the freezer.   My Mammaw Tommy ( a nickname she got at a young age for being a tomboy) was the apple of this granddaughter's eye.  She was a wonderful cook, and a great baby sitter.  The only thing was when you stayed at her house and she gave you a bath, you thought she was rubbing your skin off while getting you  clean.  To this day when I smell Ivory soap I think of  the bath at her house and smile.   Pappaw Luther died of a heart attack while driving his car from his house to store at the foot of Stewards Hill in Jonesborough TN.  My Mammaw lived in their home several years after Pappaw died and then  moved to a rental house across the street from my parents.  It was nice to have her there.  She got to see and be a  part of my daughter and Karen's son's life until her death in Feb. 1997.  She lived 20 years after her husband and died from Congestive Heart Failure.   I was 35 at the time of her death and she was the last of mine and Bill's grandparents to die.  The kids called her Gran gran for Great-Grandmother.  She was a joy to everyone she met.  A beautiful soul that loved God and her children.  I am having some problems finding when they were married but I don't think they made it to 50 years (based on Pappaw's age at his death), but they were probably close.

 While I am still on my side of the family, I am very proud to say my own parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and mom died before they could have met the 51 year marker.  They were married on June 15, 1959 and mom died May 10, 2010.  My dad took very good care of mom for the 3 times in 10 years that she fought colon cancer (matatisized to kidney and bone later on) and it took a long time for him to speak of her after her death without shedding a tear.  I know that theirs was a love that stood the test of physical sickness yet remained intact as God intended.  We celebrated their 50th with a big reception at their church.   So many people came and mom was a trooper; she stood for much of it with the aid of a cane.  Just a couple of  months later we would go to Vanderbilt for her to have surgery to repair her cracked hip bone from the cancer that had taken it's final hold.   She came home and in the fall had her last trip to the hospital where doctors told us she had 2 weeks to 2 months to live.    My mom lived to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday (in April 2010) before she passed about a week after Mother's Day 2010.   Her last day was spent with family by her side.   Her last words to me were "Don't cry; it will be ok."   I still cry many dayts when I think about her being my best friend, and how God blessed me to be her daughte and the time I had with her for 48 years.  She taught me many things, but the most important thing she taught me was to trust in God and to commit to Him as my personal Lord and Savior.   The day that we laid my mom's body to rest, it started out as a rather dreary day, cold and windy.  But after the graveside service was over, I stood on top of the hill at Washington County Memory Gardens  and felt the sun break through the clouds and I knew that my mom was beaming her trademark smile for me from heaven and I knew it was going to be OK.   

  Now turning to Bill's side of the family.  His parents were also married over 50 years.  We had a small celebration at their home for their 50th and Mom Kate was already showing signs of mini strokes or Alzheimer's disease.   Although she did not remember some folks that came by to see her and Dad that day, you could tell she was proud to be there by his side.  Dad Bill took great care of mom at home as long as he could, but a fall one day created an injury that would prevent her from being mobile so a decision was made for her to enter a skilled nursing facility where she stayed until she died on Dec 3, 2009, six months before my mother did.

  Bill's paternal grandparents also celebrated at least 50 years of marriage. William Shufford Hensley married  Blanche Augusta Reed on July 11, 1929.  Nanny Hensley died in October 1983 just 2 months before we got married.  Coincidentally, the day we got married we to the VA to see his other Grandpa Hodges who was in the hospital and died shortly after we were married.  Nanny and Pappaw Hensley were married 54 years at the time of her death.  Pappaw Hensley lived out in Telford TN for a while and then moved to VA to stay with his daughter, Jerry until his death.    What a treasure they were to know.  Nanny was always so happy even though she suffered with severe arthritis.

 Bill's maternal  grandfather was Weldon Floyd Hodges.  He  was a funny man who joined the Navy before he was eligible age-wise and he loved to fish and play a good joke on his friends and family.  His marriage to  "Mammy" was his second so I am not sure how long they were married.   I remember Kate telling about how Mammy loved to get a good one over on her kids at times.  It is no wonder that Kate got her penchant for pulling a good on over on you if you knew her well.  Mammy died shortly after we moved back to Johnson City from Nashville, two years after we were married.

  I know this summary might be boring to anyone else, but I wrote it to capture what I know and how proud I am of  my parents, my in-laws and mine and Bill's grandparents love and examples they set for us.  I thank God for each of them and their long-term commitment to one another.

 Hopefully we can continue the tradition.  We are over half the way to 50 years.  At the end of 2015 Bill and I will celebrate 32 years together.  I am praying we have many more years together...cause I don't know how to live with anyone else.  We dated for 5 years before we got married so I have known Bill Hensley for 37 years...!!!  We started dating in high school, and well that's a story for another day.

judy
may 13, 2015