NameDiane Smith Age78 How long have you lived in Baytown?74 years; in 2021 I moved out of state with my daughter, my only surviving relative. She was also ready for a change. Most interesting fact about youI’m an amateur writer — short stories and novelettes, poetry … Continue readingMoving forward despite tragedy
Sky Allen McSpadden proudly served in the United States Navy for nine years, based in Jacksonville, Florida. For five of those years, he was stationed aboard the USS Halyburton, a period of service that took him across the world — to places like Greece, Spain, … Continue readingMom honors Navy son’s service
“Healing comes from letting there be room for all of ‘this’ to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.” — Pema Chodron “Grief doesn’t just bring tears. It enters your heart, your bones, your spirit, every movement and breath you take. Losing … Continue readingEarring project helps keep couple’s story alive
This story contains excerpts from “So I Won’t Forget,” by Cindy Lipps, D.V.M. She began her veterinary practice at Archer Road Animal Hospital in Baytown in 1984. “My youngest daughter married in October 2016. In 2017, our church offered a Dave Ramsey study on saving … Continue readingThe day ‘my life changed forever’
“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” — Lewis Carroll “For me, it all began with the thought of a rabbit: Alice’s white rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book, ‘Through the … Continue reading‘Down the Rabbit Hole’
“At the beginning of 2020, I was excited to be in the last semester for my doctorate at Houston Baptist University. I was finalizing my dissertation to present in March after spring break, and looking forward to graduating in May. Then, during spring break, COVID-19 … Continue readingCOVID-19 can’t stop doctorate dreams
“My husband and I have called Crosby home for six years now. We specifically chose Crosby as the place we wanted to raise our family: a smallish, diverse, one-high school town. We immediately fell in love with the culture. And we made that trip to … Continue readingTeacher proud of character shown by student athletes
“2020, and with it COVID-19, caused severe strife and strain in many people’s lives. From the loss of a loved one or a job, to financial issues, it was definitely a tough year. For some of us, though, 2020 didn’t create any problems that weren’t … Continue reading‘I finally started taking care of myself again’
“The other night we went to dinner at Floyd’s. When we walk into places, we tend to catch the eyes of others. It doesn’t bother me. I can imagine they are worried that all these kids will be disruptive. “When we got seated, I looked … Continue readingWell-behaved children earn free desserts
“‘We have to let our hearts break.’ I heard Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., say this recently. And whoa, I felt that. For me, 2020 started in a state of grief. Just a few months prior, I lost my sweet love, Daniel, … Continue reading‘Grief is a blessing when I allow myself to sit with it’