AN AFTERNOON WITH THE DAR

ANDERSON – About a year ago, Cecilia Calvert picked up my book's business card at the Pendleton library’s author fair. She asked about programs I give and said her DAR chapter might have me speak. Time went by, and honestly, I had forgotten about our conversation until she contacted me and issued the invite. I'm so glad that she did!

So today was the day and we gathered in the beautiful downtown Anderson Presbyterian Church’s parlor. I enjoyed taking part in the opening ritual and celebrating my love for the good old U.S.A., right along with these Daughters of the American Revolution, the Kikthawenund Chapter, NSDAR.

They were a lovely bunch, attentive to the program and quite a few of them answered my signature question: What’s on your bucket list? The answers revolved around travel, and I learned that this is a well-traveled group of women. One lady wants to go to Japan; another to return to Ireland. One is planning a trip to Paris and said she has lots of things on her list. Others spoke of seeing the rest of the U.S. and one wants to visit the Creation Museum near Cincinnati and also tour the large dairy farm near Lafayette that opens its doors for visitors.

Regent Beverly Duncan presented me with a certificate and made a contribution to my church as a thank-you for the program. My appreciation to all the ladies who were there, to those who purchased books, and for this glimpse into yet another group of women and their specific interests and organization.

As I told the ladies, when I’m asked to give a program, I have one answer: Yes!

While I sat there I thought of the twists, turns and random decisions people make in life that change the very courses of our lives. My father-in-law, Ray, once told the story that after World War II, there were buses awaiting the returning servicemen that took them to different cities that had jobs for the soldiers.

In particular, he recalled one bus going to Hammond and another to Anderson. He took the Hammond bus but could just have easily chosen the other one. That would have meant that Brian would have been born and grown up in Anderson.

Thanks again, ladies.