Isbell Connection

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Only Miles Can Separate a Family.

This is an email Danny received from a family member in California. Please read.

I am the oldest daughter of A.V. and Reta Isbell. A.V. was the youngest son and Uncle Elbert was the oldest. I have heard of your reunion for years and wanted to come. Martha Alice called me a couple of times this year and my brother Allen and I looked into coming this year. But Allen has a law practice in Houston and simply could not get off. We do want to come next year, so as soon as you have the dates set, please let us know and we will come in 2010.

My siblings are Allen (71), Mary Sue (60), and John Paul (58).

*Allen lives in Galveston on the weekend where he preaches for the Church of Christ there. The building was destroyed in the Galveston hurricane this year, so the church meets now in Allen's garden room on his property. His wife, Mikey, lives all the time in Galveston and Allen lives in Houston during the week where he has a solo criminal law firm.

*Mary Sue is married to John Scott, a dentist, and lives in Tyler, Texas. Between them they have seven children and have 11 grandchildren with 2 more on the way. Mary Sue is a Reading professor and head of the department at Tyler Junior College.

*John Paul is married to Melissa. He has four children from his first marriage and two from his marriage to Melissa. He has two grandchildren. John Paul is a gynecologist practicing in Woodinville, Washington. The four of us and mates will go again to his house in July for a small family reunion which we began last year.

*I am 74, married for 54 years to Jack Scott, whom I met at Abilene Christian College. We have lived in Texas, Connecticut, and California; we moved to California in 1962. We are the parents of three daughters and two sons, but our youngest son, Adam, was shot to death in 1993. We have 10 grandchildren and 8, soon to be 9, great-grandchildren. We have had and continue to have a wonderful life. Our family home is in Altadena, but we now live primarily in Sacramento. Jack began as a preacher, went to Pepperdine to teach, then to the community college system as an administrator. After retiring as president of Pasadena City College, he was asked to run for the California legislature. He served 12 years, 4 as an Assemblyman and the last 8 as Senator. Because we have term limits, he was termed out last November. But he took another job, that of Chancellor of the 110 California Community Colleges. He is very healthy and is vigorous beyond his years (75). We bought a small house in Sacramento when he was a Senator and now we live here most of the time, though we maintain our house down south.I am a lucky one. I married before graduating from college, but eventually got two degrees and began teaching college English part time. When our youngest graduated from high school, I took a full time teaching position and taught for 20 years. I retired 5 years ago. I write a monthly column "Life Lessons" for 5 newspapers. Any one in the family who want to read my essays has only to e-mail me and I will put them on the list.

I look forward to meeting you and seeing all the family.I understand from Martha Alice that your mother is not well. I am sorry. I would like to know how she is.
Greet all the family for me.
-Lacreta Scott

Sunday, March 29, 2009

April Celebrations

Happy 62nd Birthday, Danny on April 5.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy Birthday, Loetta on April 7.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy 70th Birthday, Dorothy on April 10.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy 25th Birthday, Dagan on April 10.><><><><><><><><><

Happy Birthday, Venius on April 13.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy Birthday, Lisa on April 19.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy Birthday, Randy on April 22.

><><><><><><><><><

Happy Birthday, Jordan on April 22.

Countdown...5 weeks

These Fabulous Five are ready for the reunion.
How About YOU?

Russell, Danny, Minnie, Lisa, DL

Friday, March 20, 2009

You are invited to the...

2009 Isbell Reunion

Quartz Mountain State Park

Lone Wolf, OK

Thursday, April 30 - Monday, May 4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2008 Reunion

A family reunion is a time of great joy and excitement. In the world that we live in, families are often scattered around the globe. Loved ones may not see or talk to one another for years, even though there is but a plane ride separating them. A family reunion is a time to remember that although you may feel close to your neighbors and friends, there is nothing quite like family. These are the ones who are closest to you in blood. You share the same history and ancestors who cared for you. When you really need help, family members are the ones who are most likely to come through.
We had 26 adults and 13 kids at the reunion in 2008. We had a great time visiting, playing, and just being together. We missed all of you who couldn't make it.

................................................................................
You CAN Sleep in the Cabins!

There is always plenty of empty cabins. We would love to have them filled. Bring your twin size sheets, pillow, towels, toiletries, and other necessities. It is always more fun to have everyone staying together.

................................................................................

Potluck
We will be having potluck on Thursday night as usual. Get in the kitchen and bring your favorite dishes.

................................................................................

42, 42, Oh how I love 42.

You can always count on there to be some rousing games of 42. Russell and Dorothy came out on top last year. Who’s going to take their crown?

...............................................................................
So Much To Do…
So Little Time

There is as much or as little as you would like to do at the reunion. You can fish, play 42, play on the playground, visit, go for a walk, mountain climb, swim, and more. We suggest bringing lawn chairs, cards, games, fishing gear, toys for the kids, and a camera.

...............................................................................

2008 Fisherman of the Year

Stephen Anderson

The fishing was pretty good last year. Stephen took home the trophy and he has given it a face lift. Come to see the trophy’s new look and get in on the fishing action.

...............................................................................

B-I-N-G-O

Bingo night will be back again this year. So, gather your prizes for Saturday night. We are contemplating a movie night for Sunday. Does anyone have a DVD projector we could use?

...............................................................................
Little Reunion on the Prairie

The Pioneer Adventure Day was a big hit. The kids were taken back to the prairie days. They made butter, did chores, and purchased things from the mercantile. We are mixing things up a bit this year. We will be having a carnival Friday night. There will be games, prizes, and even a concession stand.

...............................................................................
Not enough hours in the day, we often say

we watch as the business of life allows time slip away.

Before we know days turn to months and months into years,

Time is mapped with laughter and cheers,

the long road sometimes landmarked with sadness and tears.

Elders pass and children grow,

has it been that long we ask, where does the time go?

Not every chance to gather is taken.

"We'll see them next time" we say and hope we're not mistaken.

A chance like now comes once in a lifetime it seems,

when the bright light of family is nurtured and beams,

there will be laughter and time to reminisce