Searching For 2 Sisters: Hurricane Katrina

We thought the worse when Katrina hit the Gulf coast, each and everyday we worried and prayed about our two sisters so far away. Staying glued to the television - switching from channel to channel - just trying to find out something! The weather channel announced a dreadful day for the Gulf coast and surrounding areas on August 29, 2005. It was on a Monday and I decided to search for our two sisters in New Orleans, Louisiana on the computer. It had been 24 years since we heard from Tammy Jo and Candy, our half-sisters. They lived in Westwego, Louisiana the last we heard after our dad passed away September 23, 1980. Candy and her husband, Raymond came here to be with us when Daddy died and went to Daddy’s wake at the funeral home. The day of Daddy’s funeral and burial she didn’t show up as we waited for her, we never heard from her again. As we proceeded with the terrible ordeal of laying Daddy’s body to rest in the back of our minds we wondered just what happened to Candy. We never knew why, she never let us know she was leaving. We wondered all through the years what happened and why she left before his funeral. At times throughout the years we always wondered if we said or done something to offend Candy or Raymond, yet we didn’t think we had. She simply left and never came back. Tammy Jo had to stay behind because her baby was soon to be born and she couldn’t travel from Louisiana to North Carolina as the doctors advised. This would be the last time of communication we had with either one of our sisters until now.
As my search continued day after day I am compelled to find them, to know if they are okay even if they didn’t want to see us, we just wanted to know their if they were okay and their whereabouts and that they both were safe. As we sit and watched, listening to the reports of what Hurricane Katrina was doing. There was more damage than anyone suspected and it was so traumatic as the people of the Gulf Coast scrambled to get away for safety sake. These people went through such devastation as this powerful storm just ripped their lives apart and all they worked so hard for away. Where in the world were our sisters, we wondered and worried so, are they safe? Two days have now passed as I search and search, filling out questionnaires of names and birth dates as we remembered so long ago. We knew our dad’s information, yet not theirs, not as much as we should have known. We knew their moms name, but that was it, not her birth date or anything to help us find them. “Oh God, please help us find them, let us know they are okay, we know you will do your part to keep them safe, it is your will and divine grace that we ask for some kind of way to know they are alright. Please show us a sign or something to help us, I pray to you. Amen”.
You see it wasn’t our fault or theirs about being separated or why we had to live so far apart and not know each other. Our parents are the ones who made all things possible with the happenings of separations. Daddy was a rambler as I understood while growing up and later he didn’t deny anything. We didn’t really know the man; he just wondered in from time to time and didn’t tarry long. We did know of his other family; we were curious and asked questions about the two girls, we were his kids too! There were a lot of times he would come to town visiting his two brothers with his daughters and not even see us, we never knew until later after he had left and gone back to Louisiana.
Tammy Jo & Candy with Daddy 1972

In 1972, already 27 years old with two little boys, Daddy came to my oldest sister, Judy’s and wanted to see us all. We were told to come to Judy’s, noone asked why, just come. As I walked in the door everybody said to go in the bedroom, once inside the door closes a little and there he stood. The tallest best-looking Daddy in the world, I literally passed out from excitement! Standing there beside him were two girls, his daughters, our sisters. Tammy Jo and Candy Allison. Tammy Jo looked so much like Judy and Candy looked like some of our cousins – they were definitely Daddy’s girls. Oh gosh, here is the moment I had waited all my life. To get to see my daddy, just to show him I’m fine and my two little boys. Just for him to know I had forgiven him yet I will never forget what he did to us. We just never understood why he walked away from five kids to go and raise another family. Now that I am grown I understand we were certainly not the only ones who endured such a situation as this to be raised by our mother alone and with no help from Daddy. Jealousy was in our minds growing up as we heard from family members about Daddy having two daughters he was raising and it was heartbreaking. I often dreamed of spending time with him in my younger days and just wondered what it would be like. Yet our mother was so strong and took care of us, showing us the love a Mother should. She worked hard all our lives to give us things we needed we never did without. There were disappointing times such as Christmas and we really didn’t get things we asked for but she made it up to us. Our mother never, ever complained nor did she ever put our daddy down, we did know he was a truck driver for Associated Transport Trucking Company in Burlington, NC in our younger days. So by that we knew he was always on the road. As far as we knew he and Mama always remained friends somewhat throughout the years and in fact never divorced. Mama and Daddy married October 10, 1942 and separated in 1951 after our younger sister Vickie was six month old. Back then as children of a broken home it was sad, we didn’t understand, our grandpa Coleman was the only male role model in our family and we lost him when we were young in October 1959 yet again we are stripped of the only Daddy we ever known. It hurt so to be without a Dad, so many of our friends had their dads and sometimes we wished our dad was there, but we overcome tragedies, this wasn’t and will never be the only hurt in our lives as we grew into maturity. Mama did her best and with that we were thankful, she was a loving lady with a heart of gold and I would never trade the memories for anything. She loved us and we all knew it, she always let us know one way or another.
A typical Saturday morning with a few cups of coffee to wake me up it’s off to the computer. Checking my email and web pages for visitors is my usual ritual everyday and occasionally a chat or two with family members or friends. Yet this morning was so different when I signed on and the computer says “You’ve Got Mail”. There before my eyes was an unusual looking subject line in my email – NOLA RESPONSE. Oh my word, I was panicking, what is this? I remembered seeing these initials for days and days while online and yet I could not pinpoint it now. My heart was beating so as if it were in my lap! Oh, is this what I had been longing for? Are they okay? Was this going to be good or bad? I was so full of questions and didn’t have sense enough to just open the darn thing. Teary eyed and alone, I am so scared of what I was fixing to read. Opening the mail, I slowly began to read – In response to your email; we have found a Tammy Jo Sauro in Pinson, Alabama and her phone number. There was no finding for a Candace Allison Berger in Westwego, La. Please let us know if we could be of more help to you. God Bless You and hopefully this is the person(s) you are looking for. NOLA Response Team. Well you could have lifted me off of chair with a feather, I felt somewhat relieved and yet I still wasn’t sure if it was she. This is the name I remembered from 1980, the last we heard from her was when Daddy passed away. Is this who I am searching for? Dialing the number that was given to me, my hands shook so I felt I would fall out in the floor. The phone rang; I waited in anticipation until an answer. “Hello” she answered in a soft voice. “Is this Tammy Sauro?” I ask her in a panicky, shaky tone. Her answer was yes so I began asking this one question twice, “What is your dad’s name?” She hesitated for a moment and told me our daddy’s name; yet explaining he had passed away in 1980 my heart sank and I felt such a relief. I knew, I just knew then it was she. As she began to sob, she asks, “Oh no, who is this?” “Tammy, this is Tip, your sister”. Then there was silence and the tears fell as she asks in a tearful, muffled sound, “are you for real?” “Yes” I replied and “this is not a joke.” As I explained to her about our looking for them and we were worried so, I could hardly speak. Here is one of the sisters I had tried so very hard to find! Just wondering if they were okay and how had they been doing for so long. After crying for about fifteen minutes we finally talked and boy did we! With the both of us now crying and proclaiming our love for each other and for our siblings, we began a long pleasant conversation about our lives and families and such. I knew it was going to be fine after that! They were safe from the wraths of Hurricane Katrina! “God, thank you for your precious love. Amen”. Oh how lucky we were to find them and know they are safe. I am sure a lot of happy endings have occurred out of this historical event of a hurricane such as this devastating one – yet there are those out there who lost loved ones. My heart goes out to each and every one of those people who fell victim to “Katrina”. With God’s abiding love, I hope He will fill your heart with the joy and understanding one day you will see that special loved one. Everything happens for a reason – something’s we do not no the reason for and do question why, but it is my belief that all things are possible with prayer. I pray for each and every one of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. God be with you.
After talking on the phone and announcing to everyone our sisters were okay and
we were planning a visit from Tammy Jo; we waited in anticipation for the day of September 13, 2005. It was Friday morning and I received a call from her telling me she and her husband, Frank was in High Point. Oh the excitement! She was getting so close and I thought I would pass completely out if she didn’t get here soon. She’s made it, my beautiful sister the one I had searched for and longed to see. Throughout the short time we had we accomplished a lot of reminiscing about our lives and proclaimed the love we have for each other.
We live in North Carolina and she and her family in Alabama leaves a lot of miles between us, we have managed to see each other as much as possible.

Tammy after 25 years

Today is Thursday, August 7th, 2008,Tammy is in Alabama and I am sitting here in North Carolina and am waiting in anticipation for her to come back for a visit. Was hoping to see her this summer but maybe soon. I miss her so much ... I wonder if she knows how my heart breaks every time she pulls out of the driveway and not looking back? Three days is so short of time to spend and it flies by so quickly. We spent some sister time together, our usual trip to the local Dollar Tree store and out to eat later in the evening, then everyone is too tired and full to sit and talk awhile. There’s so little time between visits yet we do make the best of it.

~Our first New Years together (2006)

Judy, Sylvia (me), Reid, Elaine & Tammy Jo~

Written by:
Sylvia Allison
©2007

~When It's Alzheimer's~

In Memory

of
Frances C. Allison

2/10/00 - 2/14/00

This candle burns in Mamas' memory and the many others who have been stricken with the likes of this devastating disease.

Alzheimers is a dreadful disease, effecting the elderly. It strips them of all memory of their lives and everyone in their lives. Let's all hope and pray for a cure from this dreadful disease.

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Picture of Mama and myself in December 1999 after her having had a massive stroke in October of that same year. This is at the Rehabilitation Center of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Our hearts broke as she had to be placed there from complications after an amputation of a toe due to Vascular Disease. We hoped and prayed she was being cared for, yet we saw a few slight infragments of the caregivers and we really didn't see the same ones alot! Even the management switched leaders way too much in
the thirteen months Mama was there. She had a short stay compared to others and Thank you God for that! Tried to ease my mind of having to put Mama in that resthome and it liked to have killed us - I regret so many times when visiting and knowing she didn't understand what was going on and wondering why we were leaving her. The doctors said it was best for her and her healing from her surgery. There are a lot of things that happened and I won't write about them here - all I ask if you are faced with such as this to leave your loved one in a home - stay on them, watch every move of you can - you will regret it in the long run. I am 61 years old and as of today Mama has been gone 8 years and 6 months and I still hurt for her. My heart aches for my best friend everyday, my life has never been the same since she passed away. I will never want her back the way she left here -

~She knows us now; she suffers no more

Love you Mama and miss you terribly.

©Sylvia~

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(This poem hung over Mama's bed)

Please Don’t Hurt Our Mom


She’s entering her home away from home
Forgotten all and where she comes from
Please treat her well be patient and kind
She has no memories left in her mind
Of where she is or who we are
She’s a special lady to us by far
Raised five children struggling through life
Even forgot she was once a wife
A little stubborn and set in her ways
With talks of childhood; her younger days
A beloved mother to us she’s a saint
Tried hard to keep her but now we can’t
Needing constant round-the-clock care
Please take care of her always be there
Going to be times she’ll give you a fit
Just give us a call; we’ll take care of it
Many of our elderly get hurt everyday
Be gentle and kind - treat her good we pray
No matter the time be it day or night

Let us know if she gets out of sight
With a wondering mind she loves to roam
Looking for the place she once called home
We promise to let you do your job
Don’t hurt our mom we plead with a sob.

©Sylvia Allison

1/8/99

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When Mom Forgets

As seasons change, for us regrets

We`re watching now as mom forgets

Of lifes` memories she`s shared within

Childhood she talks of, as stories begin

No memory of her family or a friend

Alzheimers has stripped her life to an end

When Mom forgets how to dress or eat
We have memories of our lives so sweet

Of the love she had for us five kids

As we watch this disease win all bids.

Now seasons change; we still remember

Moms` love for us so warm and tender.

©Sylvia Allison

5/6/99

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My Grandma Did The Same

She worked hard to raise her family
When I was born, I shared her name
As years went by she lost her memory
And my grandma did the same.

It’s hard to know that a disease like this
Could claim so much fame
As it took my mom and her life is missed
My grandma did the same.
Alzheimer’s is a killer of the old
And its damage could make you lame
Mom had stories all untold
And my grandma had the same.
She doesn’t remember anyone
Not even her children she could name
At seventy-eight this disease begun
And my grandma did the same.
I wish there was a way to find
A cure to make this disease tame
It’s really too late for mom

And my grandma did the same.

©Sylvia Allison
5-27-98

Four Times -

Ava Coleman - Maternal Grandmother (1984)

Frances Allison - Mother (2000)

Irene Pitts - My aunt, Moms' sister (2005)

Whitney Allison - My uncle, Dads' brother (2006)

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My sisters and myself have been told we

have an 80% chance of getting Alzheimers'.

Let's all hope work and hope for a cure real soon.

God Bless You All who are the victims & The Caregivers

~ Summer Beauty ~

PINK MANDEVILLA

My stepson gave me this plant and it is a beauty! After searching for tips on caring for this plant - and there is plenty, I was amazed at all the beautiful pictures of a Mandevilla.

(pictures here are mine - not copies of someone else's ... all mine!)

'ALICE DU PONT' (Mandevilla)
• Evergreen
• Zones 21-25; may grow as a root-hardy perennial in zone 26, 27
• Full sun or partial shade
• Regular watering
• Climbs by: twining

If it were grown exclusively outdoors, this lovely vine would be found in only the mildest zones. But because it thrives in pots on porch or deck, it's one of the most widely sold vines in the country. Pure pink, 2- to 4-inch-wide flowers shaped like flaring trumpets usually bloom from spring into fall, carried against a backdrop of glossy green, 3- to 8-inch leaves. And unlike many other vines, this one blooms happily at a small size — plants in 4-inch containers regularly produce flowers.
You'll often find this plant identified simply by its cultivar name — 'Alice du Pont' — rather than by genus and cultivar (Mandevilla 'Alice du Pont').
This vine does best with rich soil. It likes sun but needs some afternoon shade in the hottest areas. Grown outdoors in its preferred warm climates, it can reach 20 to 30 feet; container-grown plants stay much lower. For in-ground as well as containerized plants, provide a trellis or similar support. Feed container plants with a complete fertilizer every 2 weeks until the end of bloom; then trim the stems back by half and bring the plant indoors or to a sheltered spot. Water regularly throughout winter. If you're growing the plant outdoors, do any necessary pruning during the growing season.

The buds are just as pretty as the bloom ...

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Joke:

Going to Disneyland!

A six year old goes to the hospital with his grandma to visit his grandpa. When they get to the hospital, he runs ahead of his grandma and bursts into his grandpa's room. 'Grandpa, Grandpa,' he says excitedly, 'as soon as Grandma comes into the room, make a noise like a frog! 'What?' said his grandpa. Make a noise like a frog because grandma said that as soon as you croak, we're going to Disneyland!'
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7/27/08 Smoke - Free One Year !!!!!

One year ago today (started CHANTIX on 7/13/08, my grandson,

Hunters' 9th birthday) I gave up the worst habit in my life ...

I quit smoking! Forty years of damaging my body and

chancing getting lung cancer. God was with me!

So far - the two tests I have had, everything is fine.

Helping Hand From CHANTIX

This medication should be applauded - I was one of the lucky ones to not have any side effects as some people have reported. Now mind
you I really had gotten very sick for a few days but it passed. Thank
God I didn't give up! I made it and proud to say "I DO NOT SMOKE!"

Super Woman - I'm not! But man I feel better than I have in a long time.

My breathing is amazing compared to a year ago.

Used to I couldn't complete a sentence

without having to stop in the middle of it to catch my breathe!

Here is a poem I wrote while taking CHANTIX -

Second Wind …

Morning is come so soon you know
It’s choking time here I go!
Coughing and sneezing it’s always the same
I don’t want to keep playing this game
Need to breathe clean, fresh air
A bountiful freshness everywhere
So I went to the doctor to get a fix
He wrote me a prescription for Chantix
First four days it was one pill for me
I smoked two and a half packs, you see
Fourth day started a pill morning and night
Cigarettes slowly faded out of sight –
On my second week can’t smoke anymore
Amazing I’m feeling better than before!
So I’ll sit back now no need for critics
Getting my second wind with Chantix.

~Sylvia Allison

7/20/07

I won't knock anyone for smoking - I know at one time I didn't want to hear it.

Today I am Smoke - Free & breathing! My family is happy for me and that

means all the world to me ...

Please let me know if you or anyone you know

has taken or tried CHANTIX. I am curious to know

if anyone else had the luck I had with this medicine.

I have heard a lot of bad things and am wondering if

anyone else has quit with CHANTIX -

GOD BLESS & GOOD LUCK IF YOU ARE TRYING TO QUIT SMOKING!

~Sylvia

Pictures of Our New Addition

There is nothing on this earth more precious than a child -

God gave us children to love and care for.

Big sis Haley bonding with Kensley

"Oh I got gas - sugar water please"!

Daddy (Ricky) and Kensley

Sleeping after her "sugar water"!

"Hey Pawpaw"

~ Welcome Kensley Faith ~

Welcome

Kensley Faith Allison -

Weighing in at

10 lbs. 13 ozs.

July 15, 2008

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Welcome to the world little one

So innocent and new

Can't wait to hold and love you

And bid you ado ...

Welcome to our world

So much love here to share

For this precious little new one

Loving thoughts from everywhere.

Welcome to your world

Of play and joy and love

Live your dreams little one

While God watches you above.

~Mawmaw Tip

7/16/08

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She is finally here after Mommy struggled so, a day of labor is worth the bundle of joy she holds in her arms. Now as the months follow, our thoughts will turn to Julia and Thumper for their little one, Kodie Layne. She will be born on November 17th by cearean birth and will be welcomed here to this anxious and waiting family!

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Is Anyone There?

How silly of me - to believe there is anyone interested in what I do or say! You know at my age it seems I would give up - but I can't. I am now a bead-a-holic! I love creating all sorts of jewelry items for people. To see the surprise and expressions on someones' face and to hear the "Thank You's" is a pure delight to me. I love pleasing people whether it is through my writings, making webpages or making jewelry.

To visit some of my pages:

http://beadinggranny.com/

These pages are filled with family, friends and reminders of how thankful we all should be as long as we have our health and our children are healthy. There are a few pages made for Reagan Allison; my little third cousin - this family is devastated from knowing this child has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic Leukemia. Please help us send best wishes to this single Mother as she struggles financially keeping the household going and paying Reagan’s hospital and treatment bills. If you would like to send a donation - please send it to:

Wendy Allison
P.O. Box 292

Alamance, N.C. 27201

Reagan is a bright and chipper little three year old who has melted so many hearts at this young age! We pray for Reagan and so many other children who have been stricken in their young lives with a traumatic disease. Thank you and God bless you so very much for your kindness.

Reagans' pages are http://beadinggranny.com/reagan.htm

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Below are jewelry items I have made are there are pages and pages of items -

Bracelets - $8.oo

Necklaces - $15.oo

Rings - $6.oo

Email me if you would like one...

*********************

I would love a comment or two - if I hear from you

You'll hear from me!

New Adventure; Do I Hear A Ring?

Temptation of Rings

My new adventure - making rings - low and behold!

This is wonderful I am loving it!

This is my first ring ...

"The Rose"

Size 6 1/2"

$7.oo

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Purple Passion

Size 5 1/2"

$7.oo

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A new bracelet called "Retro"

I love the colors of whites, blues, greens and reds. Looks of innocence, made with pride!
Size 8"
$8.oo

To see my other items: Click on picture
of bracelet.

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If you like these - please comment

If you'd like one - EMAIL me ...

In The Pink - Another Girl

GIRLS - GIRLS IN THE PINK ...

Yesterday, June 26th 2008 I found from ultrasound and pictures there is another little girl to grace this family. Kodie Layne is scheduled for her new place on earth November 17th. She is the daughter of my youngest son and his wife and has a big sister, Kiara who is 6 years old and starts school this fall. It was delightful and exciting watching her face as she saw the 3D face of her little sister, Kodie.

After a couple of miscarriages, we are now awaiting the birth of Kensley Faith,
the daughter of my middle son and his wife in the next few days.
She is due on July 8th, yet I am looking for a little firecracker! Her mom is ready I am sure of that. Kensley has an older brother, Ian who is 18 years old and a big sister, Haley who will be 9 years this September.

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Having grandchildren is Gods' way of telling you,

"Hey there is more to life than work,

children and paying taxes".

I have been blessed with ten grandchildren in all -

seven are here on this earth,

two of them are ready to

make their presence known;

God has my angel, Macey Hope.

She was born premature and left her mark

here after three days of life,

she would have been 8 years old this year.

God Bless You, Macey Hope

9/16/99 - 9/19/99

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A Grandmothers Prayer


Little people, tiny people
sent from above
God sent precious angels
for us all to love
Growing up so quickly

leaving home without a sound.
Soon they give us the gift of life

grandchildren all around.
I pray for them the finest life

that God will allow.
'Cause when it comes to grandchildren
my head will surely bow,
"God you know the reasons

for the little people’s lives.
They're sent here from Heaven

and in my heart love strives.
To make them feel so happy,

good things they endure.

Keep them safe and healthy,

so their little hearts stay pure.
And God, one thing I ask of you,

guide us all each day

To have the strength and honor

to teach them how to pray".

AMEN

Copyright ©2007 Sylvia Allison

Workplace & Assistant

My workplace - a cozy room all for me

Step inside and you will see

Containers of beads, clasps and such

Look around, you'll see oh so much

Rows and rows of my creations

Shown with delight and appreciation.

This is my assistant, Kenzie - very patient and

helpful everyday. She plays and watches me with my creating as she I'm sure is wondering "why does she sit there like this everyday?" Really she is a very good girl and her great granny enjoys her company tremendously!

My Newest

Silver and Pearls -

A combination so

soothing to the eye.

I liked the look as I

slowly created this

set while spending

some quiet time after

Ian's graduation party.

~Newest Jewelry~

It is obvious I am a jewelry making addict!

Affordable prices and to your liking I do make jewelry

at your request. Send me an EMAIL with you

description of what you'd like and I will try to accommodate you.

Interested in more of my creations?

Check out BEADING GRANNY -

Bracelets - 7 1/2" - 8" $8.00

Necklaces - 18" - 20" - $15.00

Hey, I would really love a comment about what you have seen here,
send a comment or suggestion to Beading Granny!

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Bead Artists who Blog
Powered By Ringsurf

Blooms of Global Warning?

Easter Lilies in June

Global warning – they talk about
Differences in temperature
Makes you want to shout!
Cold in the spring
Summer is sweltering
While lilies bloom
No way of sheltering
The beautiful white blooms
Of Easter pride
Now needs an umbrella
For the long, hot ride
Peaceful white flowers
For signs of spring
In mid-summer
Now blossoming.

6/16/08
S. Allison

Graduation - 2008

Graham High School

Graduation Day

6/14/08

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Ian Scott Allison -

my oldest grandson has received his diploma

and made his family so very proud.

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Graham High Seniors bid

farewell in Ceremony Video:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155236417/bclid1155306090/bctid1607337949

Compliments of local newspaper; Times-News - Burlington, NC

Graduation - 2008

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Ian Scott Allison

Tomorrow, June 14th, my grandson, Ian graduates from Graham High School! As he takes that walk across the stage for his diploma, I wish him all the best that he can get out of life. He plans to go to ACC and further his education in Criminal Justice - my little "PeeWee" wants to be a policeman. I am so very proud of him no matter what he does and I know he will do it well.

"To you Ian, your grandmother loves you so very much and you have made me so proud of you and your accomplishments. Walk proud and do good, stand tall and others will stand by you. Make the best out of your life and what it has to offer you throughout your future. I love you, Ian!"

Love Always,

Mawmaw

P.S. Think of Mawmaw always when you hear the song by Trace Adkins - You're Gonna Miss This -