A special tree and a special couple

Thanksgiving for my parents, Clayton and Mary Iles

This old beech tree still stands on our family land on the bank of Crooked Bayou.  It bears the initials of my mom and dad,  CI (Clayton Iles) and MP (Mary Plott.)  Today (November 25) is their 56th anniversary, so the tree pre-dates 1953.

Even though my dad has been dead six years, the marriage my parents exhibited still impacts my life greatly.  They had devoted love for each other and expressed that in a hundred ways for my sisters and I.

They were no different at home than they were in public.  During this time of Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the lessons they taught me on loving someone for a lifetime.