A year ago, time and mortality

At Dad's grave long ago

A year ago, I posted this, and cousin John Clark reminded me of it on Facebook today. Click this link:  Time and Mortality continue. 
This was obviously before 1975, probably in 1974, when she died, and is now buried in Oakwood cemetery in Whitesboro, Texas. We lived in Waurika, Ok. She outlived her husband John Worden Reasor--1886-1967 by eight years. 
Her first husband, Erle Thweat Clark, was our grandfather, parents to Terrence, Lewis, Rex, Mike and Champ Clark, parents of about 16 of us cousins, scattered to the winds. Dad and Erle are buried side by side in Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche, Ok., the town where Dad and his brothers were born.

100 years ago...early pix of Dad

I don't know where this came from...just found it recently, but it is a small, 2" by 2" fuzzy photo, and it is the earliest photo of my Dad, Terrence Miller Clark, aged less than one year? If so, the photo is 100 years old, because he was born in January, 1914.
My grandfather, Erle T. Clark, is lounging on the grass in Comanche, Ok., with the baby. It is definitely Erle from his profile, probably smoking a pipe. On the back of the photo, in neat cursive writing, it reads "Erle Clark & Terence," and "You & your dad." I know it is early, because Dad later added another "r" to his name, and was known as "Terry," hence my name.

Clark Store

We had to stop, and it's old since 1889 with a new front, a combination store, post office, deli, liquor store, gift shop, ice cream store, library, coffee  shop...an old fashioned general store. I meant to get a pix of the woodburning stove, but somehow missed it. But what a treat in Colorado.

And of course, at checkout, to tempt you.

Graduation, again

It's an up mood-down mood time of year for me. Nothing makes me more aware of the passing of time than graduation. I've taken part in 40 or more of these now, and there is such a sense of accomplishment and pride, mixed with a sense of loss.

With Jill Kelsey

The smiles on the faces of the students, the introductions to parents and grandparents, the "Hey, Dr. Clark" greetings. They make me smile. I like clapping for the favorite students as they cross the stage, giving them a thumbs up, and afterwards, shaking their hands, hugging, getting my photo taken.

And then you walk away, take off the robe and funny hat, put it away. Some of the students stay in touch, some become friends, others are vibrant memories, and many become faces and names on the edges of my memory.

In the hall of the Communications Building we put up plaques each year listing all the graduates. I recently went there and started trying to put faces with the names etched in metal. It gets harder and harder, because the department has grown and changed, with more than 100 graduates a year, and my changing duties as well.

With Sherri Ward

But I see my reflection in those plaques, on several levels, and many of the students have become good friends. Thanks to Facebook I've reconnected with more. I'm fortunate in that I almost can't go anywhere in Oklahoma City that I don't run into  former students.

The other change is in myself and my colleagues. This year, colleague Mark Zimmerman, who once was my student, and then employee, took photos of me with Jill Kelsey and Sherri Ward. They're both in the midst of change in their lives, and Jill is retiring. This will be her last graduation. I hired both these people, and they were the first females in the department faculty. They have been excellent teachers, admired and loved by students. For me, they've become more excellent friends.

That's graduation.

Conversation with God, on arriving in Heaven

God: "Ok, you've got your welcome packet, met the lawn crew, read the rules, signed consent and release of liability forms, signed up for health care insurance like Congressmen get, been assigned a mansion just over the hilltop with silver fixtures and a street of gold,  got a pass key to the stables of The Four Horsemen, know where the cafeteria is, gone through training to use the Help-Desk, got security clearance from IT, and have been issued an always-clean-no-wrinkle white robe. Any questions?"

Clark: "Well, it's been a long trip and I'm a little thirsty."

God: "We've got fountains free everywhere, including one from under my throne...."

Clark: "I mean I was sort of wondering where I might get, you know, a real drink?"

God: "You mean a bar?"

Clark:  "Yes, except not one of those Oklahoma ones with 3.2 beer." 

God: "Me Dammit! You mean they still enforce that?"

Clark: "Unfortunately. The Religious Right and the Republicans won't bend."

God: "Of course not. They work for the wrong Guy."

Clark: "Uh, God, about that...."

God:  "Oh yeah, a drink. Well we had to open one for all those Irish Catholics. They thought it was part of the Contract, and wouldn't sign without it. Where'd they get that red hair and temper? Never mind...just remembered."

Clark: "Uh, you haven't heard of my best friend Bob Illidge have you?"

God: "Illidge? Illidge! If I ever hear of the 'vagaries and vicissitudes' again, I think I'll die...oh, that's not possible, but you know what I mean."

Clark: "Do you know where I can find him?"

God:  "He's probably down at the bar playing cribbage waiting for you to show up."

Clark: "Where is that bar? What's its name?"

God: "I named it myself. 'Heavenly Hootch.' Got a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Clark: "Just don't try writing any headlines, please. Now where?"

God:  "Right down the street, next to where the choir is practicing. Actually, I prefer the choir stop in there first. It helps them get 'in the spirit,' if you know what I mean"

Clark: "Great. Uh, God, when does Happy Hour start?"

God: "To quote Illidge, 'It must be 5 o'clock somewhere.' Clark, didn't you read the rules? There's no time up here. so there can't be a Happy Hour. All hours are happy."

Clark: "Well I'll be damned. Hell of a place you got here."

God:  "Don't push it.  Texans, journalists and professors who think they're God, aren't,  and don't get special treatment up here. Not even tenure. You were lucky to get in. I had doubts but a couple of cute red-headed angels convinced me. Satan likes you guys almost as much as Republicans, Okies and OU fans."