Pryor Scrapbook Bessie Mae, 2008

Dear Bessie Mae, You have been important to me from the first day I moved to Searcy. I remember your bringing a bag of fresh veg etables from your garden to my house as I was moving in. That made a huge impression on me. We were only neighbors for a year and a half, but we've been friends now for almost thirty-three years. You've been a mentor and a hero to me. I only wish I could be the person you are. It was inspiring watching you be Dr. Joe's partner all those years. You watched after him so carefully and did everything you could to help this man who wo re a hundred hats. At the same time, you were hosting many receptions in your home and working so hard with the Regina girls. Th ey couldn't have asked for a better example. You watched my children for me so that I could go on American Studies trips. Even on the ten-day Washington, D.C. trip, you wouldn't let me pay for anything, even food. I didn't have to worry about anything while I was gone, because I knew you were taking great care of the girls. Going on Alpha Chi trips with you was so much fun. Those first years when we drove, you always brought contain ers of goodies to eat, both things that were good for us and things that were just good. What a cook! And you always made it seem effortless, even though I know it wasn't. We registered a lot of Alpha Chi members during those trips and then had good times ourselves sightseeing--in Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando, among other places. Remember when we got locked in Marshall Fields together? I'll never forget that. We were wondering why there wasn't anyone around to help us. Then when som eone saw us, they wanted to know what we were doing in the store since it had closed a short time before. We were quickly escorted out. I think that's the only time I've been thrown out of a store. What a laugh we had over that! Even though I was much younger and much thinner back when we were making those trips, I had a hard time keeping up with you. We walked all over the place and had such great times. Remember the trip to Orlando (I think) when we hurried to catch our plane in Little Rock (because we wer e running late, of course) only to find out that the tickets were for the next day? They managed to get us on the planes we needed in order to arrive in time for our meeting with the hotel people, but we had a bit of a scare. I still remember the muffins you brought for us to eat on the plane. Thank you for all those memories. These last years we've watched you selflessly care for Dr. Joe and then handle his passing with such grace. You know he's in a far better place and you still have your life to live on earth before joining him (we hope years down the road), so you' ve moved along with gusto. Thanks for showing us how to handle life. There's no way I can really tell you all you've meant to me over these years, but you've been a great example for me and for many, many others. Thank you for being my friend. Patty Barrett