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Another year is here, and we look back at the past few years, and some have many questions, How did I make it through that one? Why was last year so hard for a lot of people. What is this year going to be like. Will it be a harder year. Why are these things happening. Why so much death and destruction. Why so much sorrow, pain, and heartache. Why so much division. So much turmoil. So much hate. So much chaos. People against each other, even in their own households. Children suffering, starving, abused.

Though we need to weep your loss, You dwell in that safe place in our hearts, Where no storm or night or pain can reach you Let us not look for you only in memory, Where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, Beside us when beauty brightens, When kindness glows And music echoes eternal tones.

My mother, Anna Lorine Belote Whatley, was born and raised in Cass County, Texas. Her family “The Belotes” came from England. Our first documented ancestor to arrive on American shores was John Belote born in England ca.1628. He married Bridgett and raised a family in Northampton County, Virginia. The descendants of John and Bridgett lived in the Northampton and Accomack Counties until around 1800. They migrated to Tennessee and lived mostly in Hardeman County.