Memorial Day

Posted on May 31, 2021 by M. E. Murray

Dear Readers, I find it difficult to write about my feelings regarding this important date in history, particularly this year. It could be due to the fact that we have lost many friends and relatives to Covid-19. In addition, many members of our military have given up the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, years ago and recently; therefore, I think that veterans should be honored, not only today but every day.

My oldest brother an army veteran passed away in 2016, and probably fought in the Vietnam War. My husband an army veteran also served our country during the Vietnam War. I consider myself very lucky because my husband survived Vietnam. Two days ago, we celebrated our 50^th wedding anniversary. My husband’s brother, David was a Marine. He was a kind person and truly cared for his family. Unfortunately, cancer took him away from us too soon. I truly miss him and my brothers. My younger brother was not able to enlist in the Vietnam War because a foot deformity kept him from joining the Army. He passed away August of last year, and I truly miss him. Whenever we chatted, we resembled a pair of comedians performing a comedy sketch. It is difficult to live without recalling those times that made our insides hurt from laughing.

I can’t keep the tears from flowing when I recall losing loved ones. People who have not experienced the loss of a beloved family member or friend in a war might have difficulty figuring out why some of us get emotional and teary-eyed when our country sets days aside to honor our deceased and surviving veterans. This Memorial Day, I truly wish folks, who have lost a loved one in a war or to an illness, a pleasant day full of precious, positive memories.

How Are You?

Posted on May 20, 2020 by M. E. Murray

Let a smile be your umbrella — **A Goodwill Wish from two lovable Mice**

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)

Father’s Day

Posted on June 16, 2019 by M. E. Murray

Today we officially celebrate Father’s Day in the United States, so it’s time to talk about my dad. There are so many adjectives to describe him. He was an honest, humble, cheerful, hard-working, creative, intelligent, disciplined, and compassionate man, who loved clocks and old things. In spite of being poor, he always cared for others, and he was not afraid to cry when he saw a sad movie or heard a sad story. (I’m not bragging, but I am very much like my father.)

When he suffered a stroke, I cried every day, because we were close. At the time, I lived in Fort Worth, Texas, too far away from Brownsville, Texas, to be helpful; however, I visited him as much as possible, and tried my best to give my sister and Mom, his caretakers, my complete support. That was a rough time, so I asked God to please help Dad. He had suffered enough. Six months later, God answered my prayers. Dad passed away, and I went home to take care of his burial. I tried to be as strong as he was. The youngest of four children, I didn’t shed a tear (I had done all my crying before he passed away.) as I took charge and handled my father’s funeral arrangements. I’m sure he was in heaven, smiling at my ability to coordinate his funeral services.

One thing that was difficult to do was to visit his best friend at home. He was probably 87, and had been Dad’s friend for years. His caretaker, also his goddaughter, ushered me to his bedroom, where he lay in bed. We chatted for a while, and he told me that he was not going to be able to attend Dad’s burial (He had knee problems.), but that he would go to the church services. Then he said something that almost broke this stoic woman into tears, but I controlled myself.

Dad’s friend said, “I had to get sick to find out who my friends were, and I can tell you that your father was truly my friend. He came to see me every day. It was winter time, and he would stand outside my window, and talk to me from there. I invited him inside, but he always declined, saying he was fine. I told him that it was cold. And he answered that he was wearing a coat.” (Dad was wearing the coat my oldest brother and I bought him one Christmas. Dad must have loved that coat, plus our special gesture.)

Today and every day I thank Dad for all the things he did for his children and for his wife who had epilepsy. Thank you, Dad! Have a wonderful time in heaven with Mom, your oldest son, and friends.

A parting comment: Love your parents. Sometimes you may think they don’t love you because they may be too strict but they do.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Posted on November 22, 2018 by M. E. Murray

Rabbit&Turkey wwwmemuray.com.wordpress.com

Rabbit and Turkey Toasting

Today, many of us will be celebrating our good fortunes. This year I have so many things to be thankful for: my wonderful husband and friends; being alive even though I have a painful chronic illness; my pets are in good health. ( Twister didn’t lose his leg.); the Dallas Cowboys won! I could go on and on, but I promised to make brief posts.

U. S. Flag

Honoring President John F. Kennedy

There is another thing that I need to mention today. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. She is gone, but is always in my heart. Unfortunately, the day before her birthday, Pres. John F. Kennedy was assassinated. So, today I also celebrate him because he didn’t deserve to die like that. Unfortunately Thanksgiving has been assigned to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month, and it just happened to coincide with President Kennedy’s assassination. So, let’s be happy that we had such a great man serve as president of the United States and remember him in our prayers.