By: W.C. Reader

Where have all the good folks gone? That’s a question that we hear asked, quite often when we oldsters gather for a spot of conversation. It usually comes up when someone remembers some outrageous or at least unconventional – acts which can be traced back to the younger set. You know: streaking, mooning, and things like that. But “stuff” like that has a tendency to come and go with each generation, and then it has away of fading away in history, making way for something else that will outrage the elders. Any of you old folks still around who grew up in the "Flapper" age of the 1920's when the women were wearing short skirts and dancing the "Charleston"; and the men were wearing the straw Katy, and flannel trousers with wide cuff? Pretty mild stuff by today's standards.

But for the present, let's put the past aside, and get on with an answer for the opening question. Where have all the good folks gone? Why, they are right here among us - have been all the time. Mama Doris and we can testify to that by the way that they rallied around us during the past twenty months when unexpected illness confined us to hospitals and our homes. Immediately, a flood of fine, concerned people rallied to our sides. A flood of cheerful, "get well" cards began to arrive when people began to hear of our condition. Numerous people began to use the telephone when we could receive calls, asking what they could do to help? Visitation began to arrive when they were allowed, telling us they were thinking of us. And my! my! The excellent care that we received from the doctors, the nurses, and all other medical personnel handling our cases. We never will forget what several of them said to us after we rallied were been sent home for rehabilitation: "It's a miracle!" We accept that assessment, and we want to express our sincere appreciation to all of you whose prayers in our behalf were said - and answered.

After our return, kindness has continued to be showered upon us. People have brought food to us, dropped by just to visit (that's mighty good medicine), called to see if they could run errands for us, picked up the mail, gone shopping for us, cared for puppies, Sam Beaux and Samantha, offered transportation in the area. And the local medical personnel, the County Health Personnel, and our housekeeper, Aurora Villanueva, how could we have gotten along without you?

Now this has followed us, as we have been able to get out among you kind people, we have known so long. We are so appreciative to young folks and adults alike for opening doors, helping to seat us, helping us in the car, assisting us in going up steps, taking us to the "outhouse", taking our food tray to the table, just saying "Glad to see you back home," and many other good things, especially your prayers.

Where have all the good folks gone? They haven't gone anywhere. They are right here among all of us!

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