Hope in the World

Today, I witnessed:

The innocent playtime of a toddler.

Bonding of a mother and her child that only they could understand.

A deep love between a man and his wife as she fights to save his life.

A wife and her husband toward recovery and the miracle of our Savior.

Unselfish acts of kindness among neighbors.

We are truly blessed and there is hope in the world.

Thanks be to God. His mighty power.

9/11 +13

It was a bright and sunny morning in Miami beach that day. I was attending a national conference on behalf of local government. All was going quite nicely until the time a hotel staff member asked individuals from New York City to return to their rooms and call home.

Apparently a there had been a plane crash into one of the trade center towers. After the chatter subsided another person returned to the microphone and said that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. From that time forward nothing was the same. We stayed that night and returned to Louisville by car The next day. Have not seen the inside of an airplane Since that fateful day. Our prayers remain with those who lost  colleagues,loved ones and friends.

A Holy Spirit kind of day

Every day of our human existence here on earth is filled with twists and turns. I call on my REDEEMER to sustain me.

The day mom passed away

Mom Remembered
February 24, 1929 – January 17, 2008
She's now with the Lord


From notes written that same day:

Passed suddenly today at her home in Pleasure Ridge Park. Mom is preceded in death by my Dad, Raymond Whitener (1966); her Mom and Dad - "Dee" & "Gram" West; brother H.W. West, Jr, brother Elroy B. West, and sister Ruth Eskridge. Mom is survived by sons Ray and Bryan; daughter-in-law Cindy; grandsons Todd and Mike; and great granddaughter Briana.

Born February 24, 1929, Breckenridge County Kentucky in the early years of the Great Depression, the West’s and all county families grew up knowing the strains of the depression, appreciating the simplicity of country living and the strength of a close knit family. Walking the rails of the nearby railroad, helping her Mom with the phone switchboard and being constantly teased by big brother Elroy.

The West’s moved to Louisville during the war to seek work and stay at a boarding house owned by distant relatives. It is that the Boarding house where she met Raymond Whitener, who came to find work from east Tennessee. Love at first site and they were married in 1947.

Mona and Raymond Whitener spent their married lives in Louisville. First house a rental at 9th and Central (today part of Churchill Downs parking} where they shared the home to all family who chose to visit (Ray was born there), to the small house at the rear of "Roberts Grocery" and on to the old Third street location that would later be know as the "pony" farm. Things got tight for a little while occupying the small rental unit on Wellington Ave. There was an 11-year stay at our first house owned by Mom and Dad in PRP. There is where my brother was born in 1954

Dad worked at the Naval Ordnance plant during this time, and I recall her 5 am breakfasts for Dad each morning and sitting around the kitchen table at 5 pm. On Fridays were hamburgers and French Fries while we all watched "Route 66". On the special nights there might be freshly made fudge. Bryan and I would have to pay close attention because the family dog "Butch: also liked fudge.

In early 1964, with the house nearly paid off, Mom talked Dad into letting us "look" for a new home. For many Sundays we'd take the paper and scout the area for a new home. We moved to 6402 Sonnette Way on Thanksgiving Day in 1964. Hot Dogs were the menu of choice.

Mom and Dad lived there until June 1966 where Dad will killed on the job in an accident at Fort Knox. From there Mom took charge and "raised her boys".

Mom had a good heart, struggling to bring us to adulthood by herself and not wanting to bring another man into her life that might not be good for Ray and Bryan. She was an unselfish and sacrificing soul. As the boys grew up and she wrestled with boy into men, her often heard advice - " I will tell you what I think, and you make your decision. I reserve the right to tell you I told you so".

This Loving and Unselfish Soul is now with the Lord.
Photo: Mom Remembered
February 24, 1929 – January 17, 2008
She's now with the Lord


THE EVENING OF THE DAY MOM PASSED AWAY i WROTE THIS REMEMBRANCE:

From notes written that same day:

Passed suddenly today at her home in Pleasure Ridge Park.  Mom is preceded in death by my Dad, Raymond Whitener (1966); her Mom and Dad - "Dee" & "Gram" West; brother H.W. West, Jr, brother Elroy B. West, and sister Ruth Eskridge.  Mom is survived by sons Ray and Bryan; daughter-in-law Cindy; grandsons Todd and Mike; and great granddaughter Briana.

Born February 24, 1929, Breckenridge County Kentucky in the early years of the Great Depression, the West’s and all county families grew up knowing the strains of the depression, appreciating the simplicity of country living and the strength of a close knit family.  Walking the rails of the nearby railroad, helping her Mom with the phone switchboard and being constantly teased by big brother Elroy.

The West’s moved to Louisville during the war to seek work and stay at a boarding house owned by distant relatives.  It is that the Boarding house where she met Raymond Whitener, who came to find work from east Tennessee.  Love at first site and they were married in 1947.

Mona and Raymond Whitener spent their married lives in Louisville.  First house a rental at 9th and Central (today part of Churchill Downs parking} where they shared the home to all family who chose to visit (Ray was born there), to the small house at the rear of "Roberts Grocery" and on to the old Third street location that would later be know as the "pony" farm.  Things got tight for a little while occupying the small rental unit on Wellington Ave.  There was an 11-year stay at our first house owned by Mom and Dad in PRP.  There is where my brother was born in 1954

Dad worked at the Naval Ordnance plant during this time, and I recall her 5 am breakfasts for Dad each morning and sitting around the kitchen table at 5 pm.  On Fridays were hamburgers and French Fries while we all watched "Route 66".  On the special nights there might be freshly made fudge.  Bryan and I would have to pay close attention because the family dog "Butch: also liked fudge.

In early 1964, with the house nearly paid off, Mom talked Dad into letting us "look" for a new home.  For many Sundays we'd take the paper and scout the area for a new home.  We moved to 6402 Sonnette Way on Thanksgiving Day in 1964.  Hot Dogs were the menu of choice.

Mom and Dad lived there until June 1966 where Dad will killed on the job in an accident at Fort Knox.  From there Mom took charge and "raised her boys".

Mom had a good heart, struggling to bring us to adulthood by herself and not wanting to bring another man into her life that might not be good for Ray and Bryan.  She was an unselfish and sacrificing soul.  As the boys grew up and she wrestled with boy into men, her often heard advice - " I will tell you what I think, and you make your decision.  I reserve the right to tell you I told you so".

This Loving and Unselfish Soul is now with the Lord.

How did you spend your dash?

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South End Has Veteran Metro Council Leadership

I was reminded yesterday that we have a number good leaders up for reelection this year.  Vicki Welch D-13, Marianne Butler D-15, Dan Johnson D-21 and David Yates D-25 each have a solid record of accomplishment, excellent support staff and maintain good communication with area residents.  From Dan Johnson, the most senior member to David Yates, just completing his first term, they have all been convincing,

South Louisville remains in transition toward a brighter future and this is the team with the necessary skill sets to make it happen..   I am supporting David and I urge each of you to work together to return these good people to elective office.