Remembering When - June 16, 2010

by Lola Russell

When my husband passed away in January, people speculated whether I would stay down here on the lake or move elsewhere to be closer to my children. At first, I could not imagine living down here without him.

But it only took a week of staying with my son in Shreveport to let me know that I was homesick. They were so good to me and still I felt useless. I came back after a week; they stayed with me the first night.

I went back for several short overnight visits to attend to personal things, but could hardly wait to get back home, be it ever so lonely.

Where else am I able to sit in my den and watch the beautiful sun rise over the lake? Where else can I watch all the different species of birds that live on the lake? I never saw a bald eagle in Shreveport, and there are Ospreys, Canadian Ducks, Pelicans, Cormorants, and so many other species that love the water.

My husband built a little basin to catch the condensation that drips from the air conditioner, and the little birds use this as a bird bath. They roll around and get their feathers wet and fly up on the porch to ruffle them to dry off. They are fun to watch.

Where else can I know my neighbors on a first name basis? We look after one another. If someone is going to the dumpster they stop by to see if I have any garbage to go. If we need a prescription picked up, someone will do it for us as they go to Many and that saves a trip.

And most everyone raises more vegetables than they can eat, and they share with all of us.

The Times quit delivering the newspaper several months ago, so there are four families that share one newspaper. Those of us who like to work the puzzles make copies of them.

I only live about a quarter mile from my church, and traffic in this area is nothing compared to other places.

There are so many perks for living down here. I pray that I will be able to abide in my home until God calls me home.