Three days ago I learned that one of my entomology colleagues passed away. His passing saddened me but life happens. We get involved with looking for jobs and creating a family. Now we face a COVID-19 pandemic and very trying times.

I’ve had this mouse placard for a long time. I realize that it’s difficult to smile when things aren’t going your way. It’s hard to smile when you’re wearing a face mask,too, but if you can, try smiling at your family: children, spouse, and pets. Smile even if something upset you on any given day. And by all means, smile at our First Responders and generous volunteers. Thank them for their excellent service during this pandemic.

Today, I’ve been trying to find a doctor, who takes Medicaid, for my sister. I failed miserably. Fortunately, the folks that I talked to were in fabulous moods.Nevertheless, by late afternoon, I was exhausted. When a kind receptionist told me that my requests were not available, I laughed uncontrollably. You see, I get real simple when I’m tired, but my unrestrained laughter helped the receptionist. She’d also had a rough day and told me that my cheerful attitude had made her day.Her comment made me feel so good!

I hope the kind words displayed in my placard will comfort folks, and will also reach friends and relatives so I will know that they all right.

List of friends and relatives:

(Please go to my contact page: https://memurray.com/contact-me/ and leave me a message when you see your name.Thank you!)

Enedina Gonzalez (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Juanita Alonzo (USDA, Brownsville, TX)

Peggy Nettleton (Ankenny, Iowa; ISU)

Betty Jo Robertson (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Lucila Solis ( Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Rosie Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx; Texas Southmost College)

Priscilla and Andy Rodriguez (Kingsville, Tx)

Maira Ortiz (UWM, Puerto Rico)

Elena Alaniz (Brownsville, Tx)

Aurorita Cuellar (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Ninfa Ruiz (Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX)

Aggie Perez Pena (UWM, Milwaukee)

Fred Armstrong ( CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

John Henry Happ (CORP of Cadets, TAMU, College Station, TX)

Arabela Gonzalez (A&I, Kingsville, Tx)

Carmen Ramirez (Villa Maria High School; TAMU, College Station, TX)

Meagon Massey (Fort Worth, TX; Texoma, Tx)

Luis Longoria (Santa Maria,Tx)

Steve Grubbs (Forney, Tx)

Ruben Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Polo Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Jose Luis Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Armando Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Manuela Isela Cruz (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Moncita Aguilar (Saucillo, Chihuahua)

Sonny Solis (Brownsville, Tx)

Janet Ritcher (George & Charlotte Chapman’s niece, Milwaukee, WI)

Karen Manzoni (Southlake, TX; Boston, MA)

Gary Phipps (TAMU, College Station, TX)

Joan (Ostrow) & Gary Schwebel (TAMU,College Station, TX)

Jim & Dow Cox (TAMU, College Station, TX)