Remembering Twila (and Swan Lake)

We just returned from the viewing of an incredible lady, Twila Gibbs. Although I was never really close to her, I considered her a friend and was saddened deeply when I heard of her passing.

As I remember her, she always had a smile on her face. She was a friend to all. She had a wonderful family. Each one of them were in one way or another a friend to me.

As a child, I especially remember DeeAnn. She and Sandra Henderson were close friends to Dad. I can remember riding the bus with Dad before I went to school, and DeeAnn and Sandra would talk with Dad and play with me.

Later, after I returned home when Dad passed away, I became great friends with Trent, Kay and Twila's grandson who lived with them. I really appreciate that friendship to this day.

As I drove home from the viewing, I reflected with some melancholy upon all those great Swan Lakers who had varying degrees of influence on my life. Many of the adults from my childhood have passed on. I fell compelled to list them, although I know that I will invariably forget someone who I should remember: (no particular order) Max Kay, Joe Kay, Doris Kay, Kay Gibbs, Twila Gibbs, Albert Nordick, Pearl Nordick, Glenna Joy Yearsley, Dutch Hadley, Belva Hadley, Arem Allen, Lucy Allen, Boyd Allen, Fay Merrill, Lionel Merrill, Alda Merrill, Ruby Merrill, Venna Gibbs, Martel Thomas, Jim Abbott, Erma Abbott, Don Henderson, Wanda Carlson, Swede Carlson, Edith Millard, Wayne Millard, Verla Bell, Fenton Matkin, Ray Henderson, Colleen Henderson, Marie Henderson, Cal Henderson, Merrill Beckstead, Woodrow Sorensen, and, of course, Grandpa Gambles, Grandma Ruby, and most of all Dad.

Then there were those who I grew to know after returning to Swan Lake at Dad's passing: Rachel Adams, Gladys Heckert, and Linda Henderson and my childhood friend, Mary Ann Matkin.

Each of these souls had an influence on my life. To be sure, they had varying degrees of influence, but all influenced me. I miss them. And I look forward to seeing them again.