Lincoln Library has recently been the recipient of memorials from friends and family of Kathryn Roberta McSpadden McLain, but she was known to most everyone as Brenda. Her obituary, although less than a page in length, tells of a woman who lived just a little over 98 years. I read her obituary with interest; I didn’t know her, but I did have numerous conversations with her.
After moving here, I noticed two women out walking together a lot. Although they were always moving quickly and were in deep conversation, they seemed happy to stop and chat with others who were out walking. They were the duo of Brenda McLain and Imogene Carr, and both were amazing women. They smiled and laughed and encouraged, but what I noticed most were how their faces would just shine while they talked to you. It was always good to talk to them and they made an impact on my life as a newbie to Medicine Lodge.
Brenda may not have had an easy life, but she made it a good life. Included in her obituary was her interest in most everything that life has to offer. She set a good example for all of us in dealing with all of the details in life!
We have the money set aside until we can settle on a project that we can do in memory of a very special lady! We appreciate everyone who gave!
We also appreciate all those who have brought candy to the library for the Halloween parade! We are planning for 250 and we are about a third of the way there. The parade needs to be a little different this Halloween! Instead of conglomerating at the door of the library, we ask that everyone line up down the sidewalk on First Street towards the City Office. We also ask that you line up with family members, with six feet between families, so the parade will be single file. It will make the parade longer, safer, and more enjoyable to watch! The Barber County Health Department is also encouraging everyone to wear masks, even if participant’s costumes have masks. Things will be a little different, but there will still be costumes and candy. It’ll be a good time!
Word of the Week: The word of the week is “deleterious”! The word is an adjective and is pronounced del-i-teer-ee-uhs. The word means harmful, often in a subtle or unexpected way. Divorce is assumed to have deleterious effects on children.
If you think about it, there are not many things more powerful than words. They can make you laugh and they can make you cry. They are powerful enough to break hearts and are effective in mending broken hearts. They are so powerful that they alone can change lives, for the better or for the worse. Words can inspire an individual to do great and mighty things, but words can also send a person spiraling down and drowning in a cesspool of discouragement. Words can destroy a country and words can slowly repair the damage.