April went by so fast. I kept busy most of the month--with little things.Took down the Easter "stuff" and put up May "stuff". Worked one week on Meal On Wheels--always a delight. One day, Marty Ramsey, one of my special friends, and I were delivering meals. It was a very windy day-- a container filled with cookies blew off the top of our food package and rolled down the street--we were running after it as fast as we could (I don't run fast at best). We had traffic stopped in both directions. I yelled at some old man,"'We lost our cookies." He just smiled. I knew what he meant!!. It seems that I can always find things to do. And, I do keep busy. April was a beautiful month. Our weather was near perfect---trees bursting out with blooms, etc. (I love the dogwoods so much.) Spring flowers seemed so colorful this year. Even I had flowers in bloom. And, of course, our Church celebrated Easter in a wonderful and meaningful way. We serve a Risen Savior. He is real!! Praise His Name!!. And now May is here. We will celebrate May Day--Armed Forces Day, Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Yes, we love to celebrate, don't we? Well, we have reason to celebrate.The Lord is so good to all of us. My heart aches when I receive "bad News" such as Darrell Highsmith and Ginger's mother, etc. However, life is a gift-- to enjoy while we can--then we must move on--and praise God for the blessings of life. Enjoy May--seek out His blessings--Praise His name daily--count your many blessing---name them one by one---and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. And, now the May news.

MAY NEWS ITEMS

1. A NOTE FROM VERONA (April1): The Dr's predictions were accurate, they found cancer in Darrell's lungs and he has small cell carcinoma in the bladder, prostate area which is a fairly aggressive cancer. He has appts. this week for clarification and advise for treatment, but I think we will want to go back to Texas for that. The Urologist says they will treat with Chemo and not surgery. Hopefully we are catching this in the early stages?, since his PSA was low in Dec, his Colonscopy was okay in Jan and his bone scan was okay last week. My favorite song since I've been 12 is "Where Ever He Leads I'll Go." We know we don't walk this road alone.
   
   Verona Highsmith (LATER April 7): We are thankful to be on our way home with Karen As our driver. The oncologist did not have good news yesterday, but she did recommend immediately beginning chemo to shrink the cancer and 20 tumors in the chest. She said small cell carcinoma is a rare form of prostate cancer that is very aggressive and has spread from the prostate to the bladder and to the lungs and is stage 4. She said if we chose to do nothing, she would predict about two and a half more months of life. Darrell has been facing this in his normal calm manner sure that God knows what is going on and he is right here beside us. We have called an oncologist at Baylor medical Center in Dallas and hope to begin his treatments next week. We are thankful for almost 55 years of married life and are counting our blessings. We are so thankful for all your prayers and your comments on fb while Darrell has been sick in AZ.
   
   
2. A NOTE FROM LORA BLACKWELL KERN:
   
   I'm glad Sam White shared the news about my marriage March 3rd to Joe Kern, but Sam DID NOT perform the ceremony. Our pastor, Les Sinks, did the honor. It was good to see Sam and Pam at the wedding and I was honored by their presence. Sam and I go all the way back to when he was a student and SIU and I was directing The Chapel Singers and the friendship/colleague relationship has continued. See you at the reunion. LORA
   
   
3. Romelia Adams Writes - Copied from Facebook: Helen, How I do enjoy your newsletter. I especially enjoyed the story with the poem. Maybe I liked it so much because it is so appropriate to my life these days. Thank you for adopting me in your BSU group. On a personal note, our son Nevin is enjoying so very much his new job and being in the exciting Washington, D.C. area. I know you remember him from Johnston City High School. Romelia Adams
   
   
4. A note from Rinnie Spencer I thought I would tell you all good night. I am so much better. God is so Good to me. I drove and shopped for Easter Candy today.
   
   
5. AND ANOTHER NOTE FROM RINNIE (Virinda Spencer) I just wanted to say I had a great day today. I start radiation on my head Monday. I have Squamous cell cancer in my hair. I got it from the pool when the sun was out. It is to take 16 treatments just in the one spot. (Helen says, I never heard of Squamous cell cancer. Rinnie you are in our prayers--do take care of yourself.)
   
   
6. Agnes Davis Writes--My Dad Died
   I am sorry I haven't taken the time to send this note before, anyway, my 102 yr. old dad passed away Thurs. evening. If he had lived until May 7, he would have been 103. He had been talking about his birthday. Sun., tomorrow afternoon at Berryhill funeral home, the family will be receiving friends from 2:00 until 3:30. The body will not be there, just video and pictures. Next Sat., we will have his service in Ill. where he will be buried next to mom. We know he is in a much better place. Thanks for your prayers.
   
   
7. I finally found that picture of the original 12 who started BSU Reunions. See the Vintage Page. (picture is the last one shown.) (CLICK). If you are good I will have a copy for you at the reunion in Sept.
   
   
8. Ginger has called a BSU Reunion Planning meeting on May 3. She is making plans for our upcoming Reunion in Sept. You are planning on being at the Reunion--Aren't You. It will be held at the Meadow Heights Baptist Church in Collinsville. (I have Cardinals tickets May3 but can attend part of the planning meeting.)
   
   
9. I have been to one St. Louis Cardinal Home afternoon game. I have another May 3. You can't imagine how tired I am after one of these games. My good friend Jeanne Vick and I enjoy these games so much. We have lots of fun--but oh so tiring!!. Thanks Darrell for trying to find us on the TV.
   
   
10. The following motels are listed for your conveniences. I would encourage you to get your reservations early. Collinsville has a lot of overflow from St.Louis. I did not reserve rooms for you this year. I will help you if I can though. Just let me know.
    
    Drury Inn---I55 and Il. 157---Phone Number is 345-7700--Price $103.49 plus tx13% Day's Inn 12 commerce--- 345-12000--61.95 plus tax 13% Super Eight-----2 Gateway. Phone --345-8008----53.09 plus tx 13% Comfort Inn--8 Commerce--phone 346-4900--$90.00 plus-- tx 13% Hampton Inn--7 Commerce--346-4400--$105.00 plus Tx 13% I think all of these motels had a continental breakfast plus two full-size beds.
    
    This is my second listing of these Motels.

Well, that is all folks. Stay busy. It is a good way to stay out of trouble. Of course I never get into trouble so I know the old adage is true. I will try to keep you informed about our BSU people. I can only do that if you let me know your news and needs. See you all at the up coming BSU Reunion Sept 27-28

Helen Galloway.
Your BSU President Emeritus President

Enjoy! The best things in life are free!!

I learned all I need to know about life from the Easter Bunny!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jellybeans.

Good things come in small, sugarcoated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!