It is all about weekends like this that make me realize how lucky and blessed we are. As Emmy calls, “Team Burton” is pretty lucky. The super talented and generous Doctors Jackson were named Cross County Volunteers of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce banquet this year. I was let in on the surprise so that Daddy and I could attend. We both snuck in late and were pretty sure that they noticed us as we were sitting just beside everyone that was introduced. Thankfully, they didn’t. Our precious friend Joy introduced them as the winners and I cried big tears. I have no doubts that my mother was so very, very proud of them. She loved Wynne with a fierceness. It was something that she was so proud of—being from Wynne—and knowing everyone in Wynne. To see that pride in them as well is something she would have loved. Joy’s speech was awesome”
I am pleased and honored to introduce the 2011 Volunteer of the Year. This year’s volunteer of the year is actually a team…and they are a team in almost everything that they do. Both grew up in Wynne and are graduates of Wynne High School. There are so many things that I love about this team, but at the top of my list is their true love of everything Wynne. They do not understand why EVERYONE doesn’t choose to live here and take it very personally when someone decides to move. They make things happen in our community because they truly want to make their hometown a better place. Both were instrumental is passing the city wide economic development sales tax, they were the Farmfest chairs for the past 3 years, they are member of the First United Methodist Church in Wynne, both are Board members of the Cross County Chamber of Commerce, they are loyal members of the Birdeye Bicycling Club (yes there is such a thing!) and both own their own practice and together employ almost 25 people.
She is a member of PEO and volunteers for the kids marathon and kids triathalon. He has served on the Cross County Arts Council, is active in the men’s basketball league at the Methodist Church, is a Board member of the Endowment Foundation of Cross County, is Chairman of the Wynne Economic Development Committee and is a member of the Wynne School Board. All of this and a treasured daughter and son, adored aunt and uncle, granddaughter and grandson, wonderful friends, and most importantly, wonderful parents to their children Solomon and Rose.
The adored aunt and uncle part is what really got me going—because they are. Emmy loves them dearly and loves to tell everyone that her dentist and her eyedoctor are coming over to see her. It’s quite precious. I told Becca it was the first time in almost fifteen years that I had seen her cry. The next time should be about the time Emmy graduates from high school.
Daddy and I spent the night and had so much fun with the kiddos the next morning when the doctors went to work. Daddy only told me this morning how when I left to get ready, Sol jumped beside him to show him something on the iPad and Emmy warned Sol, “be careful with him, he’s old!” I have cracked up about that all day. Daddy went back to Batesville at lunch and we all napped. Somehow I was convinced to spend the night again and I am so glad we did. Emmy and I went to visit Joy, Julia and John B with the Jacksons. We all had great fun in the hot tub, all but Emmy Ruth. She is more of a cool water kinda girl. But she loved seeing her friends.
Neall and Becca are in the midst of renovating their new house. The wall coverings have come off in the play room and the kids are drawing on the walls until they decide what exactly to do in there. So, the walls are really *neat* looking in the pictures.
Every January, a group of us get a cabin to spend a fun party night together. We never get to hang out and this is our one time each year. As I was driving Emmy to Nana’s, she said something about best friends and I asked her if Lucas was her best friend. She said that he was but that Julia, Sol and Rose were too. She didn’t want to leave her sweet Rose. Rose was crying and tried to slip out the door with us. Emmy got teary and I asked why and she said that it just made her so sad to see Sweet Rose cry. But, she had a fabulous time with Nana. She and Lucas had their wedding ceremony, she’s been wanting to marry him for a while now…. We had so much fun with the Stameys, Bedards, Stevensons and Salinases. What an awesome tradition.
A wonderful, wonderful weekend. We are so lucky.
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