Sitting here in a lonely lobby of a nursing home in Cedar Hill, Texas. One forty five in the morning and what had been a bee hive earlier is now only a few workers quietly going about the thankless task of caring for 100 dying seniors. Deb's mom is 88 years old and she has come to the end of the journey on this side of the river. I recall our vigil four years ago at my mother's bedside. We sat and whispered and even laughed softly as my sweet little mom breathed her last on this side. She had laid there for days not moving, not eating or drinking, just laying there and taking shallow breaths. Hospice. I had gone out for just a moment when I walked back in and Mother had her eyes open and looking at me. I called to the others and stepped to her side. I put my left hand under her head, she looked at me and I kissed her and she took her last breath. I have missed her every day since. And now Deb's mom is there. Our group is much smaller now. Her Daddy is 90 and can't be here too often. Her brother Jeff is having more problems with his legs and is headed for more surgery and is limited in how long he can be here. Our kids have all flown in and are here. Deb and I take the night time watch. We pray. We talk. We try to sleep. The hours go by. Aides come in to try and relieve the pain and keep the fever down. We have only hours to go now. Even so, Come quickly Lord Jesus.

As always, Steve has great memories to share with us. We all want 2012 to be a good year - despite the possibility of the Mayan calendar being right! But a couple of our SOC friends have already had issues this year and need for us to keep them in our prayers. Mary McCord Bach (class of '63) has had the gamma knife procedure on several brain tumors - she's doing OK and is very upbeat. Charlotte Baldridge Gibbons lost her husband, Mark, and the celebration of his life was celebrated last week.

Good grief, 2012 is here. Sounds like good vision but it really is the year. Forty eight years since we baby faced smart alecks waltzed across that stage that night at the Dallas Music Hall and accepted a diploma for staying in school and half way trying for 12 years. My Mom and Dad, both sisters and two of three brothers (Larry had already joined the Navy and gone to see the world, or least California), and one grumpy brother in law sat there for hours to see me finish. My brother was there because I had missed a Holmes Jr High Carnival in 1960 to be in his and my sister's wedding and I had been unhappy about that so he repaid me by being unhappy at my big day. I remember watching all you guys that I had grown up with and spent nearly every day of my life for 12 falls and winters with, walk across the stage all dressed up looking like adults and thinking I probably won't ever see any of you ever again. Gone. People I had laughed with, ate lunch with, toilet papered houses with, played ball with, learned to drive with, told "dirty jokes" with, had my first beer with, GONE.  My malfunctioning and little used brain watched as person after person walked across. Some I figured would be millionaires in our lifetime: Jack Halliday (right), Gary Robinson (maybe), Bill McCracken (no doubt), Betty Gibbs (maybe). Some would be great people: Clifford Jones (pastor, First Baptist Church), Dennis Cassell (a stand up comedian), Shelton Mitchell (a cab driver), Tim Freeman (a high school football coach). I saw Benny Patterson as an actor like Harrison Ford is today, Susan Murray as a day care owner, Lynne Miller, a brilliant and beautiful lawyer, Dickie Langran, a marine, Mike Livingston, a professional athlete (was there ever any doubt on that one?) Bobby Caudell, a life insurance salesman. I don't know why my brain worked that way that night but you have to think about something when you sit still for four hours. At 18 you can't think 24 straight hours about sex, although you can come close. Those were my observations that June night in 1964. Some of them were pretty close to accurate. Some not so close. I did graduate with some very impressive people and I remember you guys well. Take care of your self, enjoy 2012 as much as you can, serve the Lord with all your heart, and love your family, your pets, your life, with all the gusto you have. Happy New Year my dear SOCites, Steve.

Please keep Sylvia (Mrs. ED ) Artman in your prayers . Still having a hard time after her surgery. Thanks.

Steve, enjoyed your Santa story so much. You are one of those people I truly admire - one who actually does things selflessly for others.  May all my SOC buddies have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

That was a beautiful story Steve. I want to wish all my classmates A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.. Jesus is the reason for the season... Lets never forget that..

It was November, 1977, and I was still struggling to get a bachelor's degree. Three babies in five years will set you back a little bit in getting a decent education. But I was still trying. I was enjoying a course in Psychology when the instructor told us we could skip the final exam if we did a project in some type of human behavior work and wrote an essay on it. The only human behavior I knew of was disciplining a house full of belligerent Foster children and no one would want an essay on that. That's when a friend said his daughter was the director for a group of mentally challenged kids and that they needed someone to play Santa Claus for them. Hey, I thought, I love kids. What's a few more of them and I will dress up in a red suit one time and write a report on it if it will get me a grade. So the day came and I worked my way into the suit and yes, I did need a pillow for my belly. Not being much of an actor I practiced my Ho Ho Ho's and picked up my bag and took off for my one and only Santa gig. Now, this is where I learned that when discussing mentally challenged persons, everyone calls them "kids". I was expecting little children. Nope. Forty and fifty year olds, sitting on my lap and wanting to know about my reindeer. For the next 25 years I was their Santa Claus. And for about another couple hundred at Denton State School, private homes of disabled children, Texas Baptist Home for Children and just about any where else they needed a Santa. I loved it. It meant way more to me than it ever did the "kids". The other day Steve Jr gave a speech to a group of ball players and told them about the years he played an elf with his Dad being Santa Claus for disabled kids. Those little things come back around at Christmas and I remember the faces of the kids. One man about fifty asked me one time for Christmas if I could bring his Mom back. Sometimes Santa cries. Have a Merry Christmas, my fellow SOCites. We will spend it with family and with the story of the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Memories.

Wishing each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Leisa spoke to Mr Artman,Monday.He said Sylvia came through surgery O K .Should be home by now.Please continue praying.Thanks.

Prayer Bears,Please remember Sylvia (Mrs.Ed) Artmann as she goes into surgery at Baylor Med Center this morning.This is a nerve problem,not related to the cancer she's been bravely fighting for some time.Please ask God to give the surgeons skill, free her from the pain which has been so intense.Ask God for that Peace which passes all understanding. Mrs. A has been a "good and faithful servant " for many years,at DBU,Faith Bible Church and other ministries. Please lift her and Ed up and keep them in you prayers.They are much loved.

Steve Foster,Did you know Gary and Dale Mc Caffety?Dale went to JNB with me and believe me, he was a true friend.Just wondered whatever happened to him.Anybody?

I feared Mr. Bridges, but I must confess, Jack Jr. scared the bejabbers out of me.  I tried to never be outside when he was.

Hey ,Guys and Gals! Just a quick appeal.I was forced to retire a couple of years too soon,but God is good and has given me a new opportunity.My # 3 son,Marcus Rogers,is in the steel building business.They do it all-slab to turn - key.If you know of or hear of anyone who might need a storage,warehouse,or shop/manuf./tpe bldg.,we would love a chance to bid.They do design and all. Thanks and an early Merry Christmas wish to you all. May God shower you all with His abundance.

We have a house full of company and were up late last night, so I slept later this morning.  When I woke up, I noticed that Esther was still asleep.  At first I thought that odd, but then remembered she was was up at 5:00 AM to put the turkey in the oven.   My thought was to head for the coffee pot, but I noticed a wrinkle in the cover that just looked amiss.  As I reached to straighten it out, I could see her face above the edge of the cover.  Just from the bridge of the nose up to the top of her mussed hair, but it struck me just how beautiful she is and how fortunate I am.  Forty-six years and four months.

Brian and Scott are both home, along with daughter-in-law Sara, grand daughter Isabel, and Sara's brother, Adam.  Turkey, etc., at 12:00, and then we are going to check off a block on the bucket list.  We are all going to Jerry World today to root for the 'Boys.  Woo-hoo.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  We are an extremely blessed generation, and we still live in a God blessed and the greatest country in the world.

As I sit here at this monitor, I look slightly over the top of the screen and there is an absolutely gorgeous sight out my office window. On the corner of my street there is a huge old home built exquisitely in 1925. It has a porch that surrounds it, a tree in the front yard that must date back to the Civil War era and porch furniture that looks like Martha Stewart lives there. This old house got the best of mine and Deb's curiousity one evening as we walked the neighborhood and my beautiful spouse decided she wanted to see the inside of this mansion. Since it is a Bed and Breakfast (the Harrison House, Waxahachie if you want to look it up) my wife came to the conclusion she could just walk right in. Are you nuts? I said, but of course carefully. You can't just walk right in without ringing the doorbell or knocking. It's a business, she said, come on. Nope. I thought I was not in a mood to get shot at so I would stay out on the sidewalk while my wife got busted for breaking and entering. In she went. I stood there in the shadows of evening and wondered if she would come out running. In just a few minutes she came back to the door and fetched her nervous husband. She was accompanied by an absolutely beautiful woman about the same age as Deb, dressed in a flowing sarong and for a moment there I thought holy cow, it really is Martha Stewart! Actually it was a lady named Sandy and she acted like Deb and I were her long lost friends. Within minutes we were in her incredible kitchen where her handsome husband was cutting up bell peppers and watching football on a big screen tv. Those two people were the most gracious and kind people I think I had ever met. They took us on a tour around that huge house like we were looking at it to buy. We oohed and ahhed for half an hour. French furniture that looked like Louis XVI may have owned it. I want a house just like that, my wife said as we finally got back to our walk. In our next lifetime, dear, I said but not out of envy. Those two people were just to kind and gracious for me to envy them. They invited us to come down and have wine and cheese on the front porch. We are loving this neighborhood. However, my heart is very broken and sad tonight. Mark, our wonderful new neighbor with the the big house, came home last week and found his beautiful wife convulsing with the flu. Deb and I were out of town. When we came back on Saturday I noticed several cars around their house and figured they were just having lots of customers in their B&B. Another neighbor saw me out putting up Christmas lights Saturday night and asked me if I had heard about Sandy? Sandy across the street, I asked. She passed away yesterday, he said. My God, My God, I had to stop and just pray. How could it be? The big house is sure looking forlorn this afternoon. I've seen a few little school girls over there on the porch, grand daughters. So I'm telling you all of this to encourage you to be thankful tomorrow and every day. Be thankful for that wonderful man or woman you share your life with. Enjoy the days you have. Love. Laugh. Dance. Watch sunsets and walk beaches. Snuggle grand kids and share Milk Duds with your gorgeous spouse while you watch an old movie on a Friday night. Be thankful for every moment. Do not let them slip away. Thanksgiving Memories.

Very wise,Steve,as always.Mr.Stuart was so cool.He taught history so you could "see" it! I think we acquire a degree of wisdom ,with age,so we can begin to really see the value of that study.That's why my favorite fiction is Louis La mour.He lived so much of the stuff he wrote about,it was almost like history.His style is such,that, I feel like I'm there,watching each story unfold,and you feel a kinship with his characters. Thank you ,Steve for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Glad to be your friend.

I often wonder why I found the study of history to be so boring as a kid. Sometimes I think it was teachers who found it boring themselves so they imparted that way to young minds. In junior high we had a young fellow at OW Holmes named George Michael Stuart who taught history with a sense of humor. He almost brought George Washington to life the way he talked about crossing the Delaware or the Continental Congress. Mike Parrish and I would often stay after class and talk with Mr. Stuart. He was probably about 25 years old then and we thought he wasn't too old. That's just a kid today. Now that I'm an old man I find history so interesting that I read it almost every day. Just finished the The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I read the Bible in historical as well as spiritual terms and have finished it seven times. This year I have mowed down War and Peace, two biographies and a few good historical based novels on the Civil War. Why did I have to wait until I was on social security before I found my love of life's stories. Mr. Stuart would have never believed how much his love of history passed on, quite belatedly, to a faceless student. Now let's get these grand children interested in history.......and the Bible....what do you think?

Yes,Dennis,ANY 55 was "cool".I wanted a 55 or 57 so bad! I drove mommie's 55( olds,that is),but,beat walkin'. Steve,you were cool enough in my book and I was glad to call you friend.

Happy Veterans Day to all. Vietnam seems like a lifetime ago, and I didn't realize until just the other day how much of an impact that The Coral Sea Aircraft Carrier that I served on had such an outstanding record with 331 days deployment, and with a record number of sorties flown off her. What I do recall is we were 24/7 with lots of battle station calls, and that being the flgship for the Admiral of the 7th fleet it also meant many inspections were called for. Steve, I feel pretty lucky to have been associated with some of the "Cool Guys" that we all knew, and does a red 55 chevy qualify as being cool.   

I tried. For 66 years I have been trying. No matter how hard I tried or how much effort I put forth I couldn't do it. I could never be cool. Still can't. At 16 I wanted to be cool more than anything in the world. Well, almost anything. I wanted to date Darlene Woodruff more than anything but she let me know pretty early in life that wasn't going to happen in this lifetime. But second to lusting after Darlene, being cool was my goal in life. It was pretty difficult to be considered cool driving a 59 Chevy station wagon to school. Or having to go to church four times week. Or being forced to have dinner every night at the table with parents and five siblings. And owning only one television. A black and white thing with more snow than Minnesota. I even tried lying to be cool. Tell my buddies I "went across the river and got some beer." Who was I kidding? My father threatened my life if I drank booze and he meant it. He had three brothers who had wrecked their lives with alcohol and he promised his four sons that wasn't going to happen to them. I was 16 and had never even tasted the nectar. I heard stories from my buddies and I don't think they were making them up. One day I got the ultimate invitation to cooldom. The guys who were the absolute epitomy of cool at SOC were Larry Estes, Dane Tune and Danny Kaumeyer. I was a 59 Chevy wagon. Those three dudes were 57 sport coupes. So one night I somehow ended up at Teddy Mills house and we were invited to cruise with the guys. Wow. I was so nervous getting in the car that I nearly shut the door on my hand. And there were girls in the car too. Golden good lookin Debs. I had finally arrived. We were laughing and talking cool stuff and someone handed me a 7 up bottle. They all watched as I took a swallow, It was not 7 up. Whew. That stuff burned going all the way down. I felt like I had just committed the sin of the century. I don't know what I drank but I was suddenly seeing double and laughing at everything I said and anyone else said. It wasn't long before the ride was over. And so was my cool days. They could tell I wasn't a cool dude. Just a funny looking guy from the other side of the tracks. I knew I better stick to RC Cola and the Chevy wagon. I wasn't ready for the big time. Memories.

SOC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Peaches Walker's home. See soc63.com - Events Page for all the details. Must RSVP. Come join in with all the fun. Good way to start Christmas celebration.

Hey,SOC friends,Do we have any school friends in N.J. o Pa? I would really like to be in touch with them.Feel free to use my email.Thanks.

Steve, Thank you for acknowledging those that have served.  I was never in combat, but I worked in the intelligence community for fourteen years, and quite frankly, there are things that the American general public will never know or understand.  We live in the greatest nation to ever exist.  Although we are not perfect, don't you dare let someone tell you otherwise.  Guard this country as you would guard your family.  Our freedom is precious, and if ever lost, will probably never be reclaimed.  God bless the United States of America.

The world's most boring man, as I have been labeled, continues to sit hour in and hour out and read and my latest challenge has been the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shiren. Wow. If you need a reminder of why we need to make our presence and our love of freedom known around the world, read or re-read this book. I also want to commend our men and women from our class and the children and grandchildren of our class, who have served in the miliatry and defended our way of life in America. My wife's father KJ Bryant (2662 Wilhurt) was in Okinawa during WWII and my father Earl Foster (3212 E. Illinois) was in training at Fort Richmond to go to Tokyo when Pres. Truman made the decision to drop the bombs and end the war. I know Bruce's Dad, Mr. Scott, was in WWII. He was one of my first heros. Our baby boy PJ Foster has been and is right now in the middle east on an aircraft carrier. This is his 4th deployment in the never ending vigil for freedom first and then peace. Next week is Veterans Day and I want to encourage you to hug a vet and tell him or her thanks for all they did to provide us with this glorious idea of living our life in freedom. God bless each of you and your family.

Really enjoyed that,Steve and Bruce.I'm sorry I didn't get to know all that bunch 'til SOC,but I loved our time and place.I wish our kids /grands could have what we had!

Happy Birthday Steve.  May you continue to enjoy good health and happiness with that wonderful memory of yours.  I always enjoy reading your comments.  May God's blessings continue for many more years to come!

Thank you, Steve.  My heart and mind just zipped back a bazillion years.  We had no idea that we were poor or any of that mess.  We had real friends, could run the creeks, woods, neighborhoods without fear, and knew that come dark, home would be there.  I frequently thank God for my "growin' up."  They were good times.

There's an old black and white photo in one of my boxes in the attic or under the bed or one of those places where we put the thousands of photos we can't throw away. It's a group of boys in patched jeans and black tenny shoes and H.L. Greens shirts, all in various standing poses, all grouped around an old football being held by the guy in the middle.  The boys are ten years old and judging by the appearance of the neighborhood and the clothes, this picture was not made in Highland Park. Most of the boys have that "deer in the headlights" look, staring at the camera with looks of wonderment, impatience, and wanting to break and get back to throwing the ball and tackling the poor kid who catches it. Ronnie Salter and Tim Freeman are taller than the rest, even than my brother Larry who was three years older. Billy Grindele smiles that smug grin of his because he knows if he catches the ball, no one catch him. Except the cheshier cat, Mike Walker, who can run and tackle and all of it with ease. The thick chested kid with the flat top like a little marine is Larry Haning. Smiling, happy with life. Larry H always was. Me and Bruce are the squirts. I don't want the ball because I never did like getting smashed and couldn't outrun a turtle. Bruce wants it since he has no fear and never shyed away from butting heads with anyone. The scene was on Illinois Avenue and it was my tenth birthday party. I'm thinking of it today since this is my 66th. That was a great group of boys and many of them are great men today. Larry H is gone. Mike is in California. Tim is growing tomatoes in east Texas and Bruce is about somewhere and still knows no fear and butts heads with anyone.  Billy is probably playing golf on a millionaires course in Florida. Life was good in 1955. And it is pretty darn sweet today. Happy Birthday to me. Memories.

Betty, Have you quit FB? Haven't seen any posts lately.Let me know if you get time to talk.So sorry to hear about your apt.(and your moving North)

Troy.You and Pat always in our prayers.The Lord God is still in charge. Stream has opened up in Jersey! Let Richard help you get going! He only needs names and contact info to show the plan and sign up associates FOR YOU! If you know "anyone,who might be a prospect,in Tx.,Pa.,Md.,Ga.,or N.J.,let him know,tell them to expect his call and let's go! It will help you,me,and Richard. I just need 4 more people in my downline,to get my 1st promotion.The money is there! Just try! Take care of yourself and Pat.

Skipper Benson  welcome to the ss group and still working and you can make as much money that you want . I am still doing small remodeling jobs, old customers  still calling and work has picked up a little more.   I now have diebetes and taking metformin . I have lost 12 lbs in 4 weeks and do not feel chipper any more ..  slowing down trying to keep on going..   lol  TROY      

Troy Fields,Just FYI,at&t forced me to retire ,Sept 20.Now I can work Ignite ,full-time.Have you been getting emails from Richard? He's set up to really help us on webinar ,live,on demand.! It's a great tool ,IF we take advantage of it.Let me hear from you.

Bruce , exercise is for the people that feel young and act like it. Yes a few of us still have to get up and go to work and now we can make all we want (how wonderful it is) .I just got news that  i have that surgar thing ( diabetic ) . Boy my eating habits have changed and i lost 12 lbs in 4 weeks. I live in the country ( johnson county) and I see coytoes , skunks , left out dogs,rabbits , snakes, kats, armadillos,cows, horses, maybe 10 cars pass by. thank  you for your reply   TROY

Troy, Yes, I am getting SS checks, and I am still working.  Love double dipping.  The exercise thing? ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! Help, I am on the floor and can't get up.

Hello to all of you . Have you all started getting ss payments nw. How many are still trying to work .  How many  can set down in a chair and pull your foot to the forehead for the exercise and the feeling of not to old to do it. Just wondering if any one can ?   TROY

Been out of touch for a while, but congratulations to Danny and Pam. How about those RANGERS come on Cowboys get with it. I say Rangers in 5 for the series. Is there any SOC events coming up? Lonnie seems to always be in the photos with the girls, what is with that?  HA! Keep on keeping on.

Hey, guys, I'm getting a complex here. It's sort of like my books. I think I'm the only one writing and the only one reading. So, I promise to take a break and stay off the site for a while. And all the readers said.......Amen.  I'll be back one of these days but I can't keep dominating the site. Jim will be sending me a bill! God bless each of you and keep on keeping on.

Oh well the cat is out of the bag, and to think I have kept Mona a secret for all these years...The 4th wednesday of next month I will receive my first SS check. I wonder how long that will last before another corporation needs bailing out.