lalecl
08-26-2006, 03:34 PM
As long as it is done in the spirit of kindness, and expecting nothing in return,Even when you’re unaware, hearts are touched and lives can be changed in a moment from the most unexpected sources.
Here we go again. I must be getting old because I can look back and find many nice memories from my past that follow me through my life today, as I think about my new family of friends in the Paso world. I think of lessons I have learned from old friends in others areas of my life that help me in the way I am today.
This brings to mind Eldon and Dorothy Langford. They give their all to everyone they come in contact with, never asking for anything in return only that you have a happy day. The moment you step into their world you are a part of the family. So many times people have come to visit me and I take them around to see a few things. Most times I would simply stop in to introduce them to Eldon and Dorothy because this couple means so much to me and is a wonderful part of my life.
Eldon and Dorothy met in church back in the 60’s but didn’t start dating until 1973. Their faith and love endured then as it does today. Being separated by Eldon joining the Air Force in January 1973; they finally married on June 12, 1976. Eldon was discharged in December 1976.
They have 3 sons Everett, Eric and Wyatt. All have become mature young men raised with the values their parents taught them. Above all, be kind to others. For the next 10 years Eldon worked for Union Oil as a truck driver and Dorothy worked as a hairdresser at Woolco along with caring for their boys.
They moved to Fort White on Halloween 1987. Eldon worked for the Department of Corrections and Dorothy worked in Gainesville.
In 1994 they bought and ran as a family “Cousins Rum Island Grocery”. It was at this time I met these wonderful people. Everyone who met them loved them. When you walked through their doors you were always met with smiles and laughter. Everyone stopped by on their way home whether they needed anything or not. They ran the store from 1994 -- 1998 Dorothy opened and ran her own hair salon in back on the side of the store from 1994 to 2003. I remember while it was being constructed I had gone by been a little down and needed a change. I got my first haircut sitting on a milk crate. LOL
The store even had a real hitching rail out front off to the side. You go to “Cousins”, buy food, fresh cut meat, visit Dorothy in her shop to get your hair done (both ladies and men) and rent a movie on your way out the door since they had a rental section as well. In the summer Eldon’s brother had a fresh fruit and vegetable stand out by the hitching post. Ellis and I have gone riding and ended up there so I can get my hair cut and be on my way. What more do us country folks need besides our families and our pasos.
When they closed the store in 1998 Eldon began transforming it into the beautiful welcoming home it is today, still open to friends of all ages. I remember so many times them doing so much for others in their community in many ways. Dorothy took a child’s realistic looking rocking horse and Eldon mounted it so their young pardners could get their hair cut on horseback. Age was not a factor for them. They love and give everyone of every age group their undivided attention when needed. Dorothy would do hair while Eldon who still worked in corrections and/or ran the store. I remember her appointment book was set up so the elderly ladies who could not drive got their hair done before Eldon went to work and Eldon would go to their homes and pick them up, bring them in and return them safely. Dorothy would go to the home to do hair and make a person feel better if they were sick or injured and unable to make the trip to the shop.
From illness to funerals, weddings, births or anything that was needed. I have been there getting my hair done and Dorothy would be doing daily menus and cooking enough to deliver full meals to neighbors and shut in, never once asking for anything in return. And she and Eldon would do this and share as long as it was needed. Not a one time thing. They are both great cooks. They did Easter egg hunts for the children and cookouts on the Fourth of July for the neighborhood. Once our van blew the motor and they let us use one on their trucks till we got the van repaired never once complaining that with all they did they now had only one vehicle to share. They simply laughed and changed their schedule.
They have done more for myself alone I can never repay. Although I tried, several years ago I remember once Dorothy was badly burned and was temporarily blinded by a cooked egg that blew up in her face. I stayed with her during the day until Eldon got home from work. Just recently Dorothy sheepishly told me, there were moments she would silently beg me to stop talking (she felt she had to reply, although it wasn’t necessary) because it hurt her face so bad to speak. But now she says in retrospect, God knew best because doing so kept her skin flexible. It sure is nice to know that unbeknownst to me, I caused her pain, but did help in a small way.
Dorothy always said we had sessions not hair appointments. She took the time to offer you some refreshment and discuss what your likes and dislikes were before she did your hair; (she knew I hated foofy hair on me). LOL, Eldon on the other hand and my youngest daughter had a Gator/Nole rivalry going on. Eldon who loved kids was a gator fan and my daughter who was 6-7 at the time loved the Noles. If the Noles lost he would make her a Nole crying rag and have it waiting on her the next time he saw her. If the Gators lost she returned him one in kind. Eldon and Dorothy always encouraged the best in folks.
Times change, in September 2002 Eldon became very ill and never returned to work. He was treated at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for Carcinoid Syndrome from October 2003 to November 2004. In January 2004 he had lung surgery that never helped. At that time his insurance changed and he transferred his treatment to the VA in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida. Presently he is being treated for Carcinoid syndrome, severe sleep apnea, Burette’s esophagus, hiatle hernia, high blood pressure, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma and allergies. Even though He is very uncomfortable suffers daily symptoms of flushing skin red in color, extreme hot flashes, flu like symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness, chronic weakness, aching bones, itchy spells and nausea. His voice is much hoarser and less audible when he speaks. But he still does not complain, not even once.
Through all this Dorothy still works at Regeneration Technologies, designs beautiful flower gardens and floral arrangements. And although she no longer does hair I can still get a haircut for old time sake. Her many talents abound through out their lovely home. I have left there may times so uplifted by their spirits; I feel I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. No matter how bad Eldon might be feeling he will make every effort to visit a bit or say hello. He told me one time, “sometimes he doesn’t feel like visiting but tries anyway because God teaches him it is only a few moments out of his day and once gone is gone forever.
Now that he cannot work and is on social security disability Eldon has not given up on life by any means. He is a self taught painter. He can take a tiny picture and paint a beautiful oil painting or water color. His paintings are everywhere in the home. He can paint anything you want as long as he has a photograph to go by. Contact me if you’re interested at lalecl@aol.com I personally do not believe God has put two people best suited and who compliment each other than Eldon and Dorothy. They are a true inspiration to all they meet.
When I leave Eldon and Dorothy’s home and check in on American Paso Finos BB, I see so many who live their daily lives, spread so far apart in various states, But who come together as one great big Paso family do not realize they each have so much to offer. We may not actually see each other, or may even disagree from time to time---- but no matter what, I guarantee that whether or not some would admit it openly, everyone has learned something from others on the APF board.
So, in closing, as I found out years after the fact from Dorothy, who was ever so sweet—Lord please hush her so I do not have to answer and thus make my face hurt” – and today say it was for the best. The next time you want to say something on the board, even though your feelings (face) may seem to be in pain from some, not all remarks or replies. Just remember as long as it is done with kindness and a gentle spirit like Eldon and Dorothy, who through all their trials have brought such joy and happiness to others, you can feel free to make your point.
****Seriously folks it is awesome therapy for Eldon, so if any of you out there would like an original painting done of your favorite place (mountains, pasture, and horses) anything. Please contact me at lalecl@aol.com
I will print and deliver your messages to him
Here we go again. I must be getting old because I can look back and find many nice memories from my past that follow me through my life today, as I think about my new family of friends in the Paso world. I think of lessons I have learned from old friends in others areas of my life that help me in the way I am today.
This brings to mind Eldon and Dorothy Langford. They give their all to everyone they come in contact with, never asking for anything in return only that you have a happy day. The moment you step into their world you are a part of the family. So many times people have come to visit me and I take them around to see a few things. Most times I would simply stop in to introduce them to Eldon and Dorothy because this couple means so much to me and is a wonderful part of my life.
Eldon and Dorothy met in church back in the 60’s but didn’t start dating until 1973. Their faith and love endured then as it does today. Being separated by Eldon joining the Air Force in January 1973; they finally married on June 12, 1976. Eldon was discharged in December 1976.
They have 3 sons Everett, Eric and Wyatt. All have become mature young men raised with the values their parents taught them. Above all, be kind to others. For the next 10 years Eldon worked for Union Oil as a truck driver and Dorothy worked as a hairdresser at Woolco along with caring for their boys.
They moved to Fort White on Halloween 1987. Eldon worked for the Department of Corrections and Dorothy worked in Gainesville.
In 1994 they bought and ran as a family “Cousins Rum Island Grocery”. It was at this time I met these wonderful people. Everyone who met them loved them. When you walked through their doors you were always met with smiles and laughter. Everyone stopped by on their way home whether they needed anything or not. They ran the store from 1994 -- 1998 Dorothy opened and ran her own hair salon in back on the side of the store from 1994 to 2003. I remember while it was being constructed I had gone by been a little down and needed a change. I got my first haircut sitting on a milk crate. LOL
The store even had a real hitching rail out front off to the side. You go to “Cousins”, buy food, fresh cut meat, visit Dorothy in her shop to get your hair done (both ladies and men) and rent a movie on your way out the door since they had a rental section as well. In the summer Eldon’s brother had a fresh fruit and vegetable stand out by the hitching post. Ellis and I have gone riding and ended up there so I can get my hair cut and be on my way. What more do us country folks need besides our families and our pasos.
When they closed the store in 1998 Eldon began transforming it into the beautiful welcoming home it is today, still open to friends of all ages. I remember so many times them doing so much for others in their community in many ways. Dorothy took a child’s realistic looking rocking horse and Eldon mounted it so their young pardners could get their hair cut on horseback. Age was not a factor for them. They love and give everyone of every age group their undivided attention when needed. Dorothy would do hair while Eldon who still worked in corrections and/or ran the store. I remember her appointment book was set up so the elderly ladies who could not drive got their hair done before Eldon went to work and Eldon would go to their homes and pick them up, bring them in and return them safely. Dorothy would go to the home to do hair and make a person feel better if they were sick or injured and unable to make the trip to the shop.
From illness to funerals, weddings, births or anything that was needed. I have been there getting my hair done and Dorothy would be doing daily menus and cooking enough to deliver full meals to neighbors and shut in, never once asking for anything in return. And she and Eldon would do this and share as long as it was needed. Not a one time thing. They are both great cooks. They did Easter egg hunts for the children and cookouts on the Fourth of July for the neighborhood. Once our van blew the motor and they let us use one on their trucks till we got the van repaired never once complaining that with all they did they now had only one vehicle to share. They simply laughed and changed their schedule.
They have done more for myself alone I can never repay. Although I tried, several years ago I remember once Dorothy was badly burned and was temporarily blinded by a cooked egg that blew up in her face. I stayed with her during the day until Eldon got home from work. Just recently Dorothy sheepishly told me, there were moments she would silently beg me to stop talking (she felt she had to reply, although it wasn’t necessary) because it hurt her face so bad to speak. But now she says in retrospect, God knew best because doing so kept her skin flexible. It sure is nice to know that unbeknownst to me, I caused her pain, but did help in a small way.
Dorothy always said we had sessions not hair appointments. She took the time to offer you some refreshment and discuss what your likes and dislikes were before she did your hair; (she knew I hated foofy hair on me). LOL, Eldon on the other hand and my youngest daughter had a Gator/Nole rivalry going on. Eldon who loved kids was a gator fan and my daughter who was 6-7 at the time loved the Noles. If the Noles lost he would make her a Nole crying rag and have it waiting on her the next time he saw her. If the Gators lost she returned him one in kind. Eldon and Dorothy always encouraged the best in folks.
Times change, in September 2002 Eldon became very ill and never returned to work. He was treated at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for Carcinoid Syndrome from October 2003 to November 2004. In January 2004 he had lung surgery that never helped. At that time his insurance changed and he transferred his treatment to the VA in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida. Presently he is being treated for Carcinoid syndrome, severe sleep apnea, Burette’s esophagus, hiatle hernia, high blood pressure, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma and allergies. Even though He is very uncomfortable suffers daily symptoms of flushing skin red in color, extreme hot flashes, flu like symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness, chronic weakness, aching bones, itchy spells and nausea. His voice is much hoarser and less audible when he speaks. But he still does not complain, not even once.
Through all this Dorothy still works at Regeneration Technologies, designs beautiful flower gardens and floral arrangements. And although she no longer does hair I can still get a haircut for old time sake. Her many talents abound through out their lovely home. I have left there may times so uplifted by their spirits; I feel I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. No matter how bad Eldon might be feeling he will make every effort to visit a bit or say hello. He told me one time, “sometimes he doesn’t feel like visiting but tries anyway because God teaches him it is only a few moments out of his day and once gone is gone forever.
Now that he cannot work and is on social security disability Eldon has not given up on life by any means. He is a self taught painter. He can take a tiny picture and paint a beautiful oil painting or water color. His paintings are everywhere in the home. He can paint anything you want as long as he has a photograph to go by. Contact me if you’re interested at lalecl@aol.com I personally do not believe God has put two people best suited and who compliment each other than Eldon and Dorothy. They are a true inspiration to all they meet.
When I leave Eldon and Dorothy’s home and check in on American Paso Finos BB, I see so many who live their daily lives, spread so far apart in various states, But who come together as one great big Paso family do not realize they each have so much to offer. We may not actually see each other, or may even disagree from time to time---- but no matter what, I guarantee that whether or not some would admit it openly, everyone has learned something from others on the APF board.
So, in closing, as I found out years after the fact from Dorothy, who was ever so sweet—Lord please hush her so I do not have to answer and thus make my face hurt” – and today say it was for the best. The next time you want to say something on the board, even though your feelings (face) may seem to be in pain from some, not all remarks or replies. Just remember as long as it is done with kindness and a gentle spirit like Eldon and Dorothy, who through all their trials have brought such joy and happiness to others, you can feel free to make your point.
****Seriously folks it is awesome therapy for Eldon, so if any of you out there would like an original painting done of your favorite place (mountains, pasture, and horses) anything. Please contact me at lalecl@aol.com
I will print and deliver your messages to him