Goal for our 2010 REUNION!

I've been debating for weeks on whether to write this post. But I think it will be a help and support for me, if everyone knows what I am trying to work on right now. It will also help to keep me motivated and committed if you know what my biggest goal and resolution for 2010 is~

10 years ago, Scott and I sat in Grandma and Grandpa Stoker's living room. Christopher was a 9 month old baby. We recorded several tapes worth of stories and memories from Grandma and Grandpa, Marjorie, Stephen,and Kathleen all about Marlene's early life. Over a year later, I had transcribed all the information I had to my computer. (Much of it was later lost and destroyed, but luckily I had one hard copy left over, *phew*!) Over the next 2 years, I collected 5 tapes of information from Dad on all the adventures that he and Marlene had. Some has been transcribed, some still must be done.

Over the last few months, I have felt inspired that now is the time for me to finish this project. (PLEASE everyone accept my heartfelt apologies for taking so long to get back to it!!!) I use to rationalize that I would return to it when life got simpler. (duh, what was I thinking? 4 kids later, I don't think that is EVER going to happen!)

I am very excited to announce that the first four chapters are nearly complete, and this month I will be sending them out to Marjorie and her siblings for editing purposes. (These chapters are the bulk of Marlene's years at home) The final 6 -7 chapters will take a little more time, (the chapters about her life after marrying Dad) but I am hoping to finish the entire manuscript by May.

I might need a little help and little research assigments from some of you, if you are willing, in tracking down old friends and other Texas information.

My goal is to have "Marlene Alice Stoker Dotson's Life and History" published and ready to hand out to each of you at our June 2010 reunion!!!!!

In order for this dream to become a reality, I would like to ask each of you for your faith and prayers in my behalf. I have tried to work on it everyday, but 5 kids and homeschooling, etc, are making that difficult. Right now I am getting to work on it 2 to 3 days a week for maybe 3+ hrs at a time. I am praying for help, strength, and inspiration, but I believe that I will have more success if you are all praying for me as well!

One more thing I would ask of you. I know I asked this of you years ago when I was working on this when Dorathy was just a baby, but I'm asking again. By April, would each of you email me, or send me via snail mail as many memories as you can remember about Marlene? Don't send me just a few...give me everything you can possibly remember!!! Our memories are fading with time, and I want to preserve as many as I possibly can!!! These documents you send me can be your memories, or stories you remember others telling about her. Please also send to me any papers you have written, any poems or other impressions/artistic expressions you have that you would like to share in this book about your mother for your children and all your posterity. If anyone has had experiences with Marlene or about Marlene after her passing, and you feel it appropriate to share you personal spiritual experiences, that would be a beautiful addition to have as well. It will bless all of us.

Thank-you for your patience with me in this. I only regret not completing this 8 years ago. But as I think I am done having children, and my colicky baby is now a happy toddler, I believe I finally have the time and energy to finish this project.

I love each of you, and I am so excited to see this begin to come together. Every night when I go to sleep, I dream of the look on your faces when I am able to hand out finished copies of this work for us all to keep and cherish.

Love,
Laura