December 2. The day my mother was born in a farmhouse in Watauga County, 1924. An early snow prevented the doctor’s arrival, the story goes. But little Willie Lee (Who names a baby girl that?! She never understood!) came into the world and eventually married William Max (earlier known as Billy Max… sounds good with Willie Lee!) Dixon. Love, faith, family, and hard work… three children, lots of wonderful memories, hard times that made them stronger. And then she was taken from us in 1985, after a long goodbye. More good times and a few bad. Spouses and grandchildren joined the family. We grew and gathered and celebrated and shared.
December 2. What once seemed like the hardest, saddest day of my life, 1984. My six-month old and I went to church and stood waiting at the Communion rail in front of my parents’ friends, then went to the hospital to join Daddy at Mother’s bedside. Then we went home (Rick was at work.) and decorated our Christmas tree– and the little miracle I needed happened: my chubby little baby crawled for the first time, towards that tree. Life does indeed go on. And so it did, until….
December 2. The day my daddy joined my mother in Heaven, 2012. Unspeakable sorrow. So hard to lose the man who had been my rock for so long. So hard to see my children say goodbye to a man they adored. But such a relief to know he no longer had to struggle for breath. I will always, always miss him.
December 2. And here I am, 2016. Living on an island. Ocracoke. The only high school math teacher in a pre-k through 12 school with fewer than 200 students. Six hours round-trip to the nearest “real” grocery store. A tropical storm and a hurricane (I evacuated) in my first two months. A ferry ride away from the mainland. Feeling grateful for the life I have. A little late with my thankfulness message. But grateful for good health, including the two feet that take me on long walks. For the opportunity to teach in this place and for the welcome the staff and community have given me. For the feeling, finally, of being appreciated for my hard work. For the support of my family and friends, who probably secretly think I have lost my mind. For this chance to experience a whole new world.
December 2.
bethdlayton 
My role model.
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You surely can’t mean me! Thanks for following me on my journey. You know, I hope, the love and admiration I have for you.
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I love reading your entries. I can envision your little island so clearly. It was one of my mother’s favorite places…and mine too. How wonderful that you have been fortunate enough to embark on this journey.
I know most of the people in the class of 1970 don’t remember me because I didn’t grow up in Boone, and was only at Watauga high for two years…but I have great memories of my time spent there:)
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We DO remember you! And would love to see you at one of the class gatherings. It appears from your email address that you are in West Virginia and also in education. Send me a message and let me know what you are doing. And yes, Ocracoke is wonderful and special.Teaching here has its challenges, but it is a great adventure!
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