Getting together with family....

Sunday was a picture perfect day in my opinion. We were all so sorry to hear about Uncle Fred's illness, but are glad to know he is doing well now. As always with any party we have ever been known to host, there was plenty of food and plenty of good conversation to share in. All in all I think there were 22 of us that got together at my mother's.

As things kicked into gear we still weren't sure if we would get to see Bruce and Linda, knowing they would want to make sure Uncle Fred was OK before they headed to Little Rock. It was around 3:00 when they came rolling in to join us. How good it was to see them.

There was a birthday cake with candles for Mammaw B to blow out, and the singing of "Happy Birthday" as only our family can do, and presents to open. Our topics of conversation stretched from one extreme to another. Let me share a little with you....

-Most of us may not be so well-traveled, but some of us have really gotten around. Linda and Bruce shared about their trip to Alaska - telling fish stories about King Salman some four feet long (pardon me, Bruce, if I don't get all the details right). Linda told about being on the ship on the way home and coming through huge glaciers. She said she heard what sounded like thunder, but there were no storm clouds in the sky. Then as huge pieces of ice came tumbling down, hitting the water, she realized the noice she heard was the cracking of the ice as these huge pieces broke loose. They talked about all the wildlife they saw and just how breathtaking the scenery was.

-At one point during the afternoon Mammaw B spoke up and said that on November 29th she and Pappaw would have been married for 80 years. Well, that's not exactly what she said, but we don't want to upset Uncle Fred at this point. Anyway, we had to do the math to get the number of years right, but can you imagine!!! They would be having an 80th wedding anniversary. How many of you remember the 50th anniversary we celebrated with them? The squares we each embroidered and the secret meetings we had as we put the family quilt together for them.

-As Larry and his family were "trying" to leave, somehow Larry was reminded of an experience he had when he was on a bus in Romania with Uncle David and Aunt Geneva on a mission trip. I'm not real sure about sharing the details of this story.... but... it sure brought laughter to everyone who got to hear this one!!

-Linda talked of how beautiful Madison (Pat's grandbaby) is and how she was happy the entire time she was with them. She and Bruce brought pictures of their grandson, Blake, but none of their daughter, Reanna. Now what does that tell you?

Of course there were a lot more stories as our conversations continued throughout the day, but, as always, I want to take my liberty to share my own thoughts with you:

As we planned this party I kept saying it's not really a birthday party for Mammaw B, it's a party for Bruce and Linda. So that was my mindset. Linda was sitting next to Mammaw B when Macy, Kelly's daughter, came into the living room. Macy, who is almost 5, is all about family. She loves her cousins and loves to spend time with them. Anyway, I introduced her to Linda and told her she was my cousin. I told her that Linda and I were best friends when we were little girls. What an understatment. I told Macy that we spent the night together, played with our Barbie dolls, dressed up and danced. Just like she does with her cousins. I've not been able to get those memories out of my mind since Sunday. I could fill a notebook with memories of time spent with Linda. What friends we were growing up. We shared everything. Some of my favorite "one-liner" memories - just between you and me, Linda:

-you introduced me to cinnamon toast

-long talks as we sat on the steps of the Methodist church

-hanging the laundry out on the clothes line

-walks all across town in J'ville

-street dances, Youth Center dances

-drive-in theaters

-roller skating

-knowing the guys in "the band"

-Steve and Jack Ellis

-What was Freddy's last name?

-late, late, late nights at your house

-board games

-week-ends, turning into weeks together in the summers

Here's to you, Linda. I wish we had had more time to visit. Our lives were totally intertwined as children and moreso as teens. Somewhere along the line we both grew up , fell in love and started our own lives. It was so good to be with you Sunday. I hope you know that we all love you.

Sandra

The Happenings in Hollywood...

This is a picture of Patrick and his girlfriend Juliet. The picture was taken at a wrap party for the Mike Nichols film Charlie Wilson's War which stars Tom Hanks. Pat was on the production crew but did get a speaking part (one word) in the film. We don't know yet whether he made the final cut.






Here is a picture of Wes on the red carpet at the premiere of his newest movie "Weirdsville".

Wanted to get the word out that our party on Sunday started with news from Uncle Fred. We got a phone call around 10:30 that they had taken Uncle Fred to the hospital in Memphis during the wee hours of the morning and that they had admitted him with pneumonia.

I talked with Mother tonight and she said he is doing well and will probably be going home in the next day or two.

Will get more news out about the get-together on Sunday and will have pictures to share in the next day or so. In the meantime, please keep Uncle Fred in your prayers.

Philip and Stephanie Bentley

We are so happy for the two of you!!! STEPHANIE...WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!

Email from Patrick Bentley

Last night, I drove Mike Nichols to a dinner party at David Geffen's Beverly Hills Estate. While waiting in the car, I saw & talked to Jack Nicholson, saw Steven Spielberg & his wife, and Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Yes, Tony Blair. Met a guard from Scotland Yard. The U.S. Secret Service drove Blair around in a souped-up, mean looking Dodge Charger.
I had no idea I'd be just feet from these people. Never thought that combo would have actually crossed my path in one night.

Bragging over. You can roll your eyes now.


Patrick

REMINDER!!!!

Just a reminder that this Sunday at 1:00 we will be having a party at Roberta's house.
Linda and Bruce (Uncle Fred's daughter and son-in-law)are going to be in town and as you know...the Bentley Crew looks for any reason for a party!!! Please come and join us.

Since it is so close to Mammaw B's (Great Mammaw's...that is for Uncle David's crew)birthday we are going to have a birthday cake and celebrate her 97th birthday!!!!

The latest news from Meaghan and Erik

Meaghan (Jackie's grand-daughter) and Erik have now been married for 4 years. After a lot of thought and research they have decided to start the process to become foster parents.

They are just at the beginning stages of this process but they do know that the children that will be placed with them will be anywhere from 2 years old to 17 years old. The child will also have to be in their home for atleast 6 months before moving on to another foster home.

Please pray for Meaghan and Erik as they embark on this new journey. I know that God will use them to reach children who need a loving home.

We are very excited for you Meaghan and Erik!!!

WE'RE GOIN' ON OVER TO ROBERTA'S HOUSE...

On Sunday, October 28th we are having a party at my mom's!!

Linda and Bruce are going to be in town for a few days and they have asked if we could have a get-together while they are here. You know us...any excuse for a party! It's going to be another great family time. So here are the details:



PARTY PLACE - Roberta's house

DATE - Sunday, October 28th

TIME - 1:00

WHAT TO BRING - Snack foods. We are putting sandwiches together, and will probably have a birthday cake for Mammaw B. Just bring your favorite goodies to add to the table. Maybe some can bring 2 liter drinks.



We're hoping for a pretty day, so bring your lawn chairs as well.



"We're goin' on over to Roberta's house...."

the loss of a friend...

Early this morning Sally Bentley's sister, Susie Morgan, passed away after a long battle with cancer. (Sally is David Bruce's wife.) David and Sally had just returned from Georgia for Philip's wedding last weekend.

Susie was a pharmacist and served most of our family (who live in this area) needs throughout the years. Ike and I had the privilege of knowing her on a more personal basis when we attended Winfield United Methodist Church during the time David Bruce pastored there. Please remember Sally and her family during this time. I know your prayers and words of encouragement will be appreciated.

Sandra

Letter from Joy...hope you can help!!!

Friends/Family,

This year, hundreds of people (women AND men) will hear the words “You have breast cancer,” and there’s a good chance that some of them will be people we know and love. Because of this I have chosen to step up and help the fight by participating with Team Disney in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Central Park on October 21st. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is an opportunity to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to help fight breast cancer.

Below is a link to my personal page that I hope you will visit. There you can join my team and walk with Team Disney, start your own walking team, or sign up to walk as an individual. If you are unable or unavailable to walk with me, you can make a donation. Our team's goal is $35,000 and every dollar helps!! Plus it's tax-deductible!

Hope starts with me and it can continue with you. To donate now, use this link to visit my personal page.
http://teamacs.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=3155421&pg=personal&fr_id=3405

Thanks so much!

Joy Sims Brown