A Tribute to Diane – Follow-up

From The Natchez Democrat

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Diane Persons Forrest 

May 3, 1963- February 7, 2019

NATCHEZ — Services for Diane Forrest, 55, who died Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Natchez will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel in Natchez with the Rev. Dan Ratcliff officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Monday at Laird Funeral Home.

Mrs. Forrest was born May 3, 1963 in Jackson, the daughter of Forest and Barbara Persons.

She completed studies in health care and practiced as a nurse for many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Natchez. She was thoughtful, unselfish and caring. She enjoyed making cards for friends and relatives for all occasions. She loved all holidays and would prepare greetings and gifts far in advance. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Forrest; her brother, Rodney Persons Jr.; daughter-in-law, Lauren McCoy; Aunt, Patricia Persons and uncle, Joe Craddock.

Survivors include her parents, Forest and Barbara Persons, of Natchez; one son, Jason McCoy, of Memphis; one grandson, Ethan McCoy, of Memphis; two aunts, Annie Bess Saul and her husband TK, of Clinton and Carolyn Craddock of Plano, Texas; two uncles, TD Persons and wife Linda, of San Antonio, Texas, and Jack Spradling and wife Judy of Florence; her loving Shih Tzu, Snoopy, and a number of cousins and other relatives and friends whom she loved very much.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Bill Rice Sunday School class.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.

A Tribute to Diane

By Terry Orr

Image from Google Search

Today my heart is heavier than normal. Last night, I received shocking news that my dear friend Diane Forrest has passed. Her Mother replied to my text to Diane, stating,“This is Diane(s) Mother, I just found (out) Diane has passed away.”

Over the next few days, hopefully we will learn more. 

I met Diane on the Internet twenty-four years ago and we have been good friends since then. She also was my partner in developing, writing and maintaining this Blog. Diane wrote more than three hundred and helped on countless more articles on a very wide range of topics.

I am going to share a poem she forwarded to me after her birthday in May 2013 that her Uncle Jack had written for her.

Diane

How wonderful it is to know those who thrive

Happily bringing joy while living their lives

With a wonderful smile you carry each day

The world is made better as you go your way

We know that a Taurus is embedded with traits

Live Love and giving plus remember special dates

You are faithful to your passion of sending cards to friends

It reflects who you are, the perfect means to an end

Twas warm on the fiday when you came into the world

The family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl

Your professional vocation is a mission of love

And your caring heart fits like a glove

You take everyday events all in stride

While staying the course is your mark of pride

Then there’s the picture Perfect Love

Your caring for Dave until he was called above

As a daughter and sister and daughter and a son

You reflect all that’s good when all is said and done

Routines become habits and some make you glad

Like watching judge judy each day with dad

And snoopy, yes snoop

Is you live in king

While enjoying attention he does his own thing

As an excellent chef, cooking is your flair

Your uncle jack’s favorite is chocolate eclairs

So congratulations is now offered on this 3^rdof may

Reaching a high mark on your special birthday

A Blessing

Friends Sharing...

Thank You Bruce

Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.

Just A Blessing...

1.  Once upon a time, all the villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered but only one small boy came with an umbrella.

That's FAITH

2. WHEN you throw a baby in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them.

That's TRUST

3.  Almost every night we go to bed, without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up.

That's HOPE

4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of absolutely no knowledge of the future.

That's CONFIDENCE

5. We see the world suffering and in turmoil, but still we get married.

That's LOVE

6. On an old woman's shirt was written a cute sentence - 'I Am Not 80 Years Old…..I Am Sweet 16 with 64 Years' Experience.'

That's ATTITUDE

7. Now that you've been blessed, don't be stingy with the blessing - pass this on!

That's CARING

Nice Read

By Terry Orr 

Sharing an email (thank you Bruce)

Before middle age – Do not fear!

After middle age – Do not regret!

Enjoy Your Life While You Can

As long as it is physically possible, visit places you wish to visit.

When there is an opportunity, get together with old classmates, old colleagues & old friends

When it is time to spend, just spend, treat yourself well as you’re getting older

Whatever you feel like eating, just eat! It is most important to be happy.

Treat sickness with optimism. Whether your are poor or rich

Do not be afraid or worried whey you are sick

Let the doctors handle your body, God handle your life, but be in charge of your own moods

Our kids will make their own fortune

Your old friends – seize every opportunities to meet up with your friends. Such opportunities will become rate as time goes by.

Everyday you MUST smile and laugh

Life ends; when you stop Dreaming

Hope ends; when you stop Believing

Love ends; when you stop Caring

And Friendship ends; when you stop Sharing.

IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes - I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of  freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good'

'They are good, Barry. How's your  Ma?'

'Fine.  Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for ‘em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it', said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

‘I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red.  Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble’. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community; all three are in very poor circumstances.  Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip  to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had  occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there  learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to  offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their  debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,’ she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in  Idaho ...'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:

We will not be remembered by our words,  but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles.....

An unexpected phone call from an old friend...... Green traffic lights when you drive......

The fastest line at the grocery store....

Your keys found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just did......

If you don’t send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

National Bird Day - 2013 Update

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By Diane Forrest

My husband loved birds.  Every year for Christmas he always got some type of bird gift.  He got feeders, books, there is a clock sitting behind my computer screen that chimes with a different bird call every hour. Not long after we were married, he adopted two cockatrices.  He would spend hours watching them, and trying to each them to talk.  He would put a seed on his lips so they could pluck it off and eat.

Dave's Bird

After his injury, the care and cleaning after them became too much for him, and since I worked 12 hours a day, I was not able to help, so he was forced find another home for them.  However his love for birds never diminished.  He could be found every winter keeping the many bird feeders in our back yard full of food.  I still see his love for birds all around the house.  One of the last gifts he got the Christmas before he died is a small red bird statue that is covered with feathers.  I look at it every night.

(Google Image)

When I picked out the plot at the cemetery for his final resting place, I chose the one right across from the pen that houses peacocks.  It is also next to the beautiful duck pond, and nearly every time I visit I can see the ducks walking around the area.

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Today is National Bird day.  National Bird Day was established by bird activists. It calls upon people to recognize the plight of captive birds. It also draws attention to exploitation of birds in the U.S. pet industry. On this day, organizers suggest we reflect upon the conditions of birds held in captivity.   Taking care of birds is a big responsibility.  They have to be fed a proper diet, and their area must be cleaned constantly.

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For more information about National Bird Day, and ways you can help educate others visit this site:  http://www.nationalbirdday.com/

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National Family Caregiver's Month

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By Nurse and Caregiver Diane

The ability of taking care of an elderly or sick family member at home is very rewarding, and so under-appreciated.  When my husband's uncle passed away, his 90 year old wife was faced with the possibility of moving into a nursing home.  She was a very healthy, young ninety year old, but had the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  When her children did not want to bring her to live with them, her granddaughter stepped up and took her in.  Things were great, she was able to spend time with her granddaughter and great grandson, she even got a puppy to keep her company while they were at school and work.  Time spent with her family was better than in a facility with strangers.

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This month is National Family Caregiver's Month.  Below is the Presidential Proclamation:

Our Nation's health care professionals provide essential medical services to millions of Americans, yet they do not shoulder their responsibilities alone. Family members, friends, and neighbors devote countless hours to providing care to their relatives or loved ones. During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize and thank the humble heroes who do so much to keep our families and communities strong.

Across America, daughters and sons balance the work of caring for aging parents with the demands of their careers and raising their own children. Spouses and partners become caregivers to the ones they love even as they navigate their own health challenges. Mothers and fathers resume care for children returning home as wounded warriors. Friends and relatives form networks to support loved ones with disabilities. All of them give selflessly to bring comfort, social engagement, and stability to those they love.

Family caregivers have an immeasurable impact on the lives of those they assist, but their hours are long and their work is hard. Many put their own lives on hold to lift up someone close to them. That is why my Administration continues to support these committed individuals through programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lifespan Respite Care Program, and through new initiatives like the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. These efforts help caregivers access services, provide quality support, and reinforce their support through respite care options. Additionally, my Administration has pursued workplace flexibility initiatives that help caregivers balance their responsibilities to their employers with their responsibilities to their loved ones. I was also proud to sign the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which has helped our most seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and their family caregivers through financial support; access to health insurance, mental health services, and counseling; and comprehensive caregiver training and respite care.

National Family Caregivers Month is a time to reflect on the compassion and dedication that family caregivers embody every day. As we offer our appreciation and admiration for their difficult work, let us also extend our own offers of support to them and their loved ones.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to pay tribute to those who provide for the health and well-being of their family members, friends, and neighbors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

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Show your support to those you know who provide care to their family members.