Remembering Patsy (Jane Scott)

My husband, Henry and I were going through some old papers and this poem written in 1986 by a friend of Patsy's surfaced. She had found out that Patsy's breast cancer had returned and had spread.

To My Friend who has always been afraid of Flying

It frightens me to feel you slipping away, I'd like to hold on so tight.
A magnet stronger than all of our love seems to be drawing you close.
The pain of our possible parting sears with a white hot light.
Yet the beauty of all that you are and have been is a treasure beyond all loss.
This flight that you have just begun, the most terrifying of all to me,
Is one that you face with courage and grace
so that I who laughed at your fear of flying
stand in awe at your strength in the face of dying.

by Ann Topple

Celebrating Family

Our family was together for the first time in two years at our niece's wedding in a quarry in North Carolina last month. Our children traveled from Annapolis, Seattle, Chattanooga and Birmingham to gather for this festive event.

We were excited to be a part of the celebration of the joining in marriage Nate Willis to Kate Stewart in holy matrimony. As Christians, we rejoice that God in His sovereignty, brought these two lives together to become one flesh in Him.

It also means he is now an honorary member of the Bowillie clan and can now attend Thanksgiving at Camp Maranook!

Welcome to the family, Nate!