Camping

As we are nearing the time of our annual Lake Hartwell family camping trip, I think that I will write about a memory of Carol camping.  As some may know, Carol was not in love with camping nor of sleeping in a tent.  She was a trooper though, and came each year to our huge group camping trip where many of the Clarkston High alumni would bring their families.  Last year, we were set up in our usual spot next to Stuart and Carols tent.  We, however, were in our air conditioned camper.  Evening came and we tied our dog to a long leash and left her outside as Mike does not like dogs in the camper.  We slept soundly in our nice cool camper. However, I kept hearing our dog fussing and howling.  I kept fussing back at her through the window and finally after many hours, got up to check on her.  Turns out she had wrapped herself around a tree and was barely able to move.  I felt terrible for our dog but worse for Carol because I was afraid that she had not slept in the tent right next to our dog.  If you knew Carol, sleep was an important part of her daily routine and she would not be happy if Sable had kept her awake.  Well it was pretty obvious when Carol crawled out of the tent that sleep had not been her friend.  That morning many of the campers were asking whose dog was howling all night and most were placing the blame on "Tina's dog".  We happily went along with this as we did not want to admit that we had kept Carol awake all night.  I love our annual trip, and loved being able to catch up with Carol as we didn't get to see each other as often as we had when our kids were all younger.  She will be missed this year by all of us at Lake Hartwell.

 

Teresa Swinehart

24 years ago...

Today is the 24th anniversary of my marriage to Carol.  This really was a great time in my life.  My dating relationship with Carol was a whirlwind.  As soon as I went out with Carol, I had made up my mind up that I was marrying her.  I proposed in 4 months and we were married 6 months later. (Carol HAD to have 6 months to plan the wedding!)  I would not recommend this for other people, but I think it worked out pretty well for us.

Last week, I saw a post a friend made about finding your soul mate.  The general gist is that your spouse is not your soul mate, only God can fulfill that role.  (If you feel so compelled click here for the article).  Although, I agree with this article, I think Carol was probably as close as it comes.  The writer says, "But if I hadn't met <my spouse>, I think my life would still be pretty good."  That certainly doesn't ring true for me.  I mean, would I even had a relationship with Christ if I hadn't met Carol?  I have so much to thank this woman for, probably no exaggeration to say everything.

This time of year, Facebook is full of wedding shots as people celebrate their June weddings.  So, to keep up with everyone, here is ours 24 years ago today:

That was a great day, probably the best in my life.  But, I sure am happier looking at pictures from the next day.  This is a shot I took when we first arrived at the hotel in Barbados.  Doesn't that smile make you happy? or, is it just me?

BME (Best Mom Ever)

I recall one day, many years ago, in the YMCA's locker room talking with Carol about her lovely children.  I asked what she had planned for the afternoon and she said she needed to get home before her daughter got home from school.  That her daughter was having a difficult time adjusting to high school and needed someone to listen and guide her through the first difficult year as a freshman.  

I thought to myself, what a wonderful, loving, caring Mom she is and how lucky her daughter was to have such a Mom.

Linda Schultz

Body Pump Smiles

By: Sheri Moody

Thinking today of Carol and her great big smile.  Just this week I was in body pump and a song came on that reminded us all of Carol.  We smiled at each other and remembered how wonderful she was and what an amazing instructor she was.  No one will ever be able to replace her in our class or in our hearts.  Miss her dearly.

Have a great day!

Living Memory

I was also an instructor at the Y. Carol was one of the first people I met when I came on board. Over the years that I knew her, she amazed me with her positive attitude. Even when there were challenges at the Y, she took it in stride. It was so obvious now that when the focus of your life is God, everything else is trivial. She is a living memory and role model for how we should live our lives.

Karen Allen, CEMP

Good Times

By: Laurie Cagle
I was fortunate to grow up with Carol in junior high and high school and my memories with her are many and precious to me - she was a large part of what I consider to be some of the best years of my life.  At a time when you’re just figuring out what life is all about, it makes a huge difference who you’re surrounded by and I was blessed to have Carol’s friendship.  In fact, there was a group of about eight of us who spent the better part of those years growing up together and we all have some incredible memories of which Carol was a huge part.  Whether it was football games, proms, lead outs, Rebel Girls (school hostesses J), beach trips, lake trips, ski trips, youth retreats, classes, swimming at Wald Park or whatever, we were all doing it together.  Of all of those great times together, however, one of the fondest to me is the Bible Study we were in throughout the majority of our time in high school.  On Thursday afternoons, our group would often meet at Carol’s house after school and Trudy, our Young Life leader, would lead us through a lesson and we’d pray together.  It was such a blessing and little did I know at the time how foundational those times would be for life.

Though we lost touch after going to college, I was blessed to see her just last August at our 30 year high school reunion.  Amazingly, most everyone from our group was able to make it.  I remember Carol was the first one I saw when I walked into the restaurant and she hadn’t changed a bit.  She was grinning from ear to ear and laughing that unforgettable laugh - I can still hear her now!  We had a wonderful visit.  After so many years, it was like we picked up right where we left off, the connection as familiar and easy and warm as ever.  I felt like we were sitting in her living room for Bible study all over again.  She was strong, her faith was strong and I was stronger for having been with her.  When the reunion was over later that night and I was driving home, I remember feeling so full and so thankful for the time we were able to spend together - that all of us were able to spend together – and so, so thankful for the rich blessing of her friendship.

“We always give thanks to God for you…as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.”

2 Thess. 1:3

By: Carrie Peterson
Thinking of Carol's smile, spark and laugh knowing it continues in my heart as well as that of many others.