Opinion

To the editor:

In December 2009, “Cynthiana,” my pictorial history of the Queen City, was released by Arcadia Publishing. I’m thrilled to say it has been very well received and that I’ve had an incredible time reconnecting with family and friends who helped bring the book to life.

It would be hard to find someone who hasn’t been affected by cancer, whether by their own diagnosis, or that of a friend or family member.

Cancer is far-reaching, scary and life-changing.

The disease doesn’t discriminate and makes no promises.

But despite those characteristics, there is hope.

Harrison County residents gathered at Ingles Stadium Friday for the 13th annual Relay for Life event.

As the night progressed and the sun set, over 900 luminaries lined the track - each in honor or memory of someone with cancer.

When I was young, going to the library almost everyday of the summer was a ritual. Almost like going to the pool.

Except my days were filled with the adventures of Nancy Drew, the Sweet Valley High twins, the Baby Sitters Club girls and the Baudelaire children.

My sister and I, in fact, were always trying to “out-read” each other every summer, but, of course, I always won.

And, we had ALL of the prizes to prove it: coupons to the zoo, the Horse Park and  Snappy Tomato Pizza, stickers, stamps, bookmarks, Frisbees, cups and new books.

I have become my mother. She warned me years ago that it would happen. And, years after her death, her prophesy has come to pass.

As my children were growing up, I felt twinges of the metamorphis taking place... Like when I would say something like “You just wait til you have kids of your own,” or “You’ll poke your eye out.” And, the ever-popular “If Susie jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?” She was also good at telling me that she would love to see me as a mother. That was always followed by a synical laugh.

According to Forest Gump, Christians are like a box of chocolates.

You can’t always tell which ones are nuts.

Also, when you bite into a bad one, it ruins your taste for the rest of the box.

That’s what I used as my opening Sunday as the invited guest speaker at the local Unitarian-Universalist fellowship.

The 2009 Cynthiana Art Walk brought hundreds of people to downtown Cynthiana to participate, to stroll, to laugh and to enjoy artistic talents on display. The evening came alive as business after business threw open their doors for artists’ displays and visitors’ viewing. There were music venues, a creative fashion show, wine tasting, things to eat, places to sit and fun for all ages.

Members of the school board, Mr. Dotson, Ms. Fischer, Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Casey, Mr. Switzer, parents, guests and the Class of 2010: 

Seniors, I am honored to share some thoughts with you tonight. I know you are anxiously waiting to get that diploma.

Congratulations class of 2010.

You have reached another rung on the ladder of your educational journey. You may recall your first day of school---getting on the school bus, mom with her camera taking your picture, giving you hugs and shedding a few tears. Probably you shed some tears also. 

When my youngest daughter was in middle school she told me she got gypped out of a testimony.

She went on to explain that whenever she went to church camp or a retreat, a guest speaker would give his or her faith testimony.

The details would differ from speaker to speaker, but not the format: “I used to do really, really bad things” or “my life was really, really bad because other people did really, really bad things to me and then I met Jesus and now my life is really, really good.”

With weather forecasts calling for highs in the mid-80s this week, no one can argue that summer is right around the corner, begging us to come outside and bask in all its glory.

It’s this time of the year when Cynthiana and Harrison County residents step outside their doorsteps, feel the warm glow, then scratch their head and say, “Well, what are we going to do outside?”