My 9-11 Memories....

September 11, 2001, I was teaching Pre-K at Chouteau Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I left the class with my teacher's assistant to go to the office for a reason I can no longer remember.  I walked in to a strange sight of the entire office staff glued to the television screen.  I looked up just in time to watch as the second plane hit the tower.  Suddenly, my little corner of the globe seemed like a very scary place. 

I'm not sure the exact order of events that followed.  As with most people, I think I walked around in shock.  But I know that one of the first things I did was call my Mema.  I knew that she would be at home, taking care of my baby girl who was just sixteen months old.  I knew that she probably saw the whole thing unfold, as she always watched "Six in the Morning."  I also knew that just hearing her voice would make me feel a whole lot safer.

I always called Mema.  When something bad happened, when something good happened, when absolutely nothing was happening.  And she always had time to talk to me.  She was the best listener in the world!  My compulsion to call her was only escalated by owning a cell phone.  Suddenly a boring drive down the turnpike could turn into a gab session.  And it was a compulsion to call her.  IS a compulsion to call her.  Even now that she has been gone for three months, I still find myself picking up my phone whenever something great happens, or something bad happens, or.... 

But, she is gone.  I can still ring her number, but everyone knows that Papa isn't really a "phone-a-friend" type.  So, I find myself doing what she always told me I should do anyway:  Talk to God about it.  He and I have been having a lot of discussions about things that are great, things that are horrible, etc.  And you know what, He's a good listener too!  Maybe one day I will be able to listen like that.  Maybe my grandchildren will have that compulsion to call me.  I hope so.

Because that fateful day--I was no where near New York City, but I felt the pain and the fear of our entire nation.  But I knew that the most important treasure--My Emily--was home with Mema, oblivious to it all.  She was safe.  I hung up that phone, took a deep breath, and put on my happy teacher face for my young students--the treasures of other parents.

Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Glenwood Trio

After Mema and Papa started Glenwood Full Gospel Church, they had a radio program.  Papa would preach and Mema, my mom, and my aunt Patti would sing.  (Papa is one of those family members that is less musically inclined.)  The radio program came and went, but the church and the Glenwood Trio became lasting standards for years to come.

When I was little, I spent a lot of time traveling around with "The Trio."  We used to joke because people would book "The Trio" and then fifteen people would descend upon them.  The band and those that traveled with us changed a bit over the years, but we NEVER only traveled as a "trio".  Eventually we changed the name to "The Glenwoods" so people wouldn't be so surprised when we unloaded off of the bus.

The trio sang at churches all over Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri.  We went to prisons, nursing homes, outdoor singings, etc.  They made two local recordings and four in Nashville.  Mostly, the songs that were recorded were original songs.  If you'd like to take a listen, Janet Gaulding Arnold has posted them on a Facebook page.

I am posting several pictures of "The Trio" through the years.  This is something that brought Mema so much joy.  The past several years, we haven't been traveling.  But we have a singing at our church every month.  Mema sang with the trio at the singing up until the very end.  Now, when the trio sings, I sing Mema's part.  It makes me feel so close to her--and makes me miss her--all at the same time.

Shirley (drums), Kathy (Guitar), Janet (Bass), Patti (Alto), Helen (Tenor), Sharon (Lead and Piano)--Late 1970's-ish

"Just in Time" Album Cover Photo.  I got to go with them to Nashville for this recording/photo shoot. 

The last album cover--"Rejoice"--circa 1989

Mid-1980's

Janet's van--I was the "co-pilot"

Our upgraded ride--Silver Eagle--Travel first class!!

Tanya Tucker once toured on this bus--with some fiddler guy.