THREE LITTLE GIRLS FROM EASTON, JACKIE, JAMIE AND JENNA ANN.

Thursday here, poking its head at me. I sure hope it doesn't rain. I went to the bowling alley last night with Steve, I was given a gift. So unexpected. Amidst all the bowling Kiefer, my thirteen year old great-grandson came to where I was sitting and set with me a couple of times. Chatting, asking how I was and what I had been doing. We talked about summer. His broken phone. Just talking. What a nice thing for a teenager to do. He left me feeling just like a real person. A very gracious act for just being thirteen years old. I was so impressed. Thank-you Kiefer for not letting me fade away as I sometimes feel with many around. A gift you didn't even know you gave.

I wrote yesterday I was going to write on the "Three little girls from Easton, all with their names starting with J.' So here I go. The problem I have come across is there is so many gaps in my knowledge of these three little girls, their names being, Jackie Sue, Jamie Beth and Jenna Ann. That I have found it difficult to paint a picture with words that I would like tp paint for you. But with brush in hand here goes.

First of all Easton in a little town, about fifteen miles from Leavenworth Kansas. Can you really call it a town? Population about 250 people. A main street. A couple of bars, there use to be a grocery store but I think that is gone now. There is a bank, a Laundromat, a conivance store at the edge of town. two churches and a lumberyard. I haven't been there for several years. Just a little patch of space that changes very little. But my sister lived there for years. Her oldest two born in Joplin, the youngest born in Easton. So their children have grown up there, or in some cases still growing there. I have always thought it would be kind of neat growing up in a place like Easton. Everyone knowing you, knows your name. And certainly all your business. There might be a draw back to having that happen. Anyway I am getting away from the "J's". I don't want to do that, I want you to see them in your mind. Just as I can as I sit here typing these few words.

Steve and I use to go up to Easton every once in awhile. To see Geri and spend a couple of days. The girls always come. Jackie with the smile that could light up Joplin, let alone Easton. Now when I look on facebook, I see pictures she puts on of her and her girls. The smile is still there, the bubbliness still present in her eyes. Then there is Jamie Beth, she was gangly, pretty like Jackie and out going but in a more shy way. Last was Jenna Ann. Pretty too, the youngest, smiling but quiet. Wanting to be a part of all going on but hanging back a tad. While Jackie and Jamie took center stage.

The days we were there, they were in and out. Laughing, having fun, being girls.We had tea parties the girls and I. Talked together, laughed together too. I still see them in my minds eye. Anxious to see the visiting relatives, because they did not see too many. And to see a Aunt Billye who acted like a nut and a Uncle Steve who drank and teased them. Looking back now I am sure we were almost like the circus coming to town. But they made us feel special and I hope I did them. Because they were.

Steve liked wrestling. So Geri had a television on the back porch, where he and the girls watched together, yelling fot their favorites. You could hear them as their voices drifted through the house. Those were the days. It was fun, getting to see my sister. And each time we went getting to know the Easton girls a little better.

Gone are the Easton days now. Although Jamie and Jenna's Mom and Dad still live there. Jackie gone to Wichita, Jamie in Leaven worth and Jenna in college. My sister moved to Leavenworth. But I bet if I could go to Easton and stand right down by the Bank and just listen quietly. I just might be able to hear them. The three cousins, laughing as they walked the streets, that old dog "Jake," faithfully following them around. It makes me smile as I close my eyes. Three little girls. You have walked off those streets, out into the world. But I know all those years in Easton goes along with you. Three little girls from Easton, Jackie, Jamie and Jenna Ann. Thanks girls for the memories, they are tucked away in my heart.