Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

For the last two days, there have been so many of my longtime friends in the Tribune doing great things. It gave me "chills of joy" to see my kindergarten and best buddy Mike Cheney. Not only have we been friends for 53 years, but our sons became friends. "You go Mikey!"

Congratulations to Melvin Foster and the gold ole Stapleton girls.

Next is Beth King Nuss. She is one of the most brilliant, talented and caring people. She is an exceptional mother and grandmother. Her daughter Lindsay is in the Tribune often. I loved her when she was in my second grade class, but she became my two son's baby sitter. In 2004, my son Jordan and friend Lee Sewell were up for football king and queen and they escorted Kendall Madison and friend out to the field. That meant that we came full circle -- three generations of our friendship.

Yesterday when I was flipping through the paper, I saw a picture of seven friends who have touched my heart.

Dona Bauer: I used to baby-sit her daughter who's now a lovely mom. I also tutored a young boy named Daniel. They gave Daniel all the love and understanding they could give. Daniel died in a wreck. The Bauers gave him the best years of his life.

The Belshes: Jessica was in my kindergarten class. After meeting her parents, I know why Jessica was precious and full of love. She started out a little shy. Jessica was gentle, an excellent worker and seeing how grown-up she is, she is still as gorgeous as she's always been. I prayed immediately when I heard of Elaine's cancer. God knew when Jessica needed her lovely mother.

Doug Ropp: I have loved Doug since high school. We became very close when he and one of my very best friends Elaine McCurley wed. My love and respect for Doug and Elaine is indescribable. They were in love with each other for almost 40 years until the second that God took Elaine home almost two years (ago). Doug, I pray for you, your children and your nine grandchildren. All three of your kids were so like both of you. I will never forget what you and Elaine have meant to so many friends. If God would ask me, "Of all the friends I gave you and they were an example of My love, who would it be?" Without hesitation, I'd say, "Elaine McCurley Ropp." She never even knew how many lives she touched.

Bernie Simmons and Ann Johnston: These two friends were blessed just having Elaine Ropp as a sister. Bernie had cancer, and thanks be to God, she's been cancer free for almost five years. Ann and Bernie have always been so kind to me as long as Elaine and I have been friends. I remember both Elaine and I were in high school and we adored our nieces and nephews. I took off in the afternoon to take one of my nieces who was 6 months old. I looked up and there was Elaine with her 6-month-old nephew. We both burst out laughing. Her nephew and my niece were in the same kindergarten class. It was at the old Newman Young Clinic. Bernie and Ann are amazing and loving friends. I'm asking for those of you who read this to pray for Bernie's daughter, Kim, and her wonderful son, Hunter. He was diagnosed with cancer at 5 years old. He's now 10. Hunter has been through more than most of us adults have had to experience. If you love the Lord, you will see Jesus' compassion in him. Every morning, you wake up say, "God please bless Hunter. When your eyes are heavy at night, please say, "God, please heal Hunter." Some of you may be thinking I don't know these people. It doesn't matter, because God knows them.

Lavetta Simmons and Joy O'Neal: I've known Lavetta since junior high. She used to be shy, but when all of us have been together, Lavetta would have us laughing on the floor. Look what an amazing woman she has become. Elaine Ropp got to see the mercy and grace that Lavetta and Joy sowed and Elaine will know from heaven what is being reaped.

To Mike Cheney, Beth Nuss, Lindsay King Madison, Dona Bauer, the Belshes, Doug Ropp, Bernie Simmons and Ann Johnston, Lavetta Simmons and Joy O'Neal, "Your tests have now become your testimony!"

Joyce E. Woods

Fort Scott