Special Valentines

We, as a family, would like to nominate Tom Clemons, for a special valentine. Our family has been through some trying times in the past few years, with sickness, surgeries and such. Tom is our neighbor. He has been there for us whenever we have needed help. He brought his tractor and helped feed our livestock one entire winter. He has been just a phone call away. He has helped with tasks big and small. When called on his answer is always, “I’ll be there in a little while.” It means a great deal to have someone who will be there. We have been neighbors for years and would like to publicly recognize him, as a symbol of our appreciation. It is hard to properly thank someone for their friendship and kindness. We feel honoring him as a special valentine would help to show him as a special valentine that his actions are never taken for granted.

My name is Amanda McIntosh. I am writing to tell you about my special valentine. My special valentine is my 19 year old cousin Tiffany Larison. I have called her Tippy since she was a little baby girl. Not only is Tiffany my special valentine she is also my courage, my strength, my inspiration, and my best friend. Tiffany has a personality that is outta this world, and a heart bigger than the universe. She never fails to capture hearts of any of those who come in contact with her. You see, at the young age of 4 Tiffany was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome which is a form of autism spectrum disorder. Those who suffer from aspergers typically have issues with communication and eye contact. This is true for Tiffany however, she is always wanting to talk to me about anything and everything. I feel very special because I am one of the few she can communicate with. Since Tiffany has been diagnosed she has been through hell and high waters. She has came such a long way. She has been through a lot of teasing and pain. Tiffany has over came her obsticals ans has learned to live with and deal with her aspergers. Tiffany is special to many, but to me she is more than special. She is my inspiration. At a young age I wanted to learn as much as I could about Tiffany’s diagnoses. I wanted to be able to eventually help Tiffany and others reach their fullest potential in life with their disability. At the age of 22 I attended my first college class for psychology on my way to learning as much as I could, in hopes of one day being able to accomplish my goal. With only 1 semester left to complete Tiffany is my strength. Tiffany also has taken a role on at home in helping her single mother raise her little brother and sister since day one. She is just amazing and awesome all wrapped up into one, and has never ever let her disability get in her way or let her get down. My Tippy Tiff is my courage, my strength, my inspiration, my best friend, my special valentine and I love her to the moon and back! P.S. I just want her to know just how special she really is!

My wife is my special valentine because of the three little valentines she gave me 30 plus years ago. A good heart shows love, kindness and tenderness as it glows each and everyday, no matter what it comes up against in everyday life. It passes this kindness and tenderness on to others. My wife is so special you can see the love she3 has passed on to my children whenever you talk to anyone of the three. A lot of people in Northern Kentucky have met my children, what they don’t know is the love, kindness and tenderness they display come from a special person. My woman, my life, my wife. To my Valentine, Rena Scalf My heart fell in love, from the very start In 1969 I promised, never to depart Our love, comes from inside Where many, warm feelings hide If everyone could possibly, follow our plan they too would have 45 years, playing in the sand. I thank you God, for being there For you have showed us, you really care.

I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Norma Perkins for my Special Valentine. Norma is one of my bestest friends. She is the most kind, considerate, compassionate friend you’ll ever find. She loves the Lord and always puts others needs ahead of her own.She is the type of person who, if you take her into confidence about something, rest assured it will never be repeated. Even through Norma’s physical pain and discomforts, she has stuck right by my side at church making quilts for Sunrise Childrens’ Home, helping out however she can, and she never complains about anything. Norma is a true definition of what a bestest friend is and I don’t get to tell her very often how much she is loved and appreciated, so this is one way of letting her know how much she means to me and others around her.

My Special Valentine is my mom, June Griffin. She has always been there for me, but recently I thought I might lose her. She had open heart surgery on Oct. 28 and was in the hospital for several weeks. For the week following her surgery, she was kept in a medically induced coma for an irregular heartbeat. During that time, she was shocked 8 times to try to get her in a normal heart rhythm. She also had a stroke at some point during that week. She slowly started to come out of it, but couldn’t do anything for herself. She was finally discharged to a nursing home for rehab. One week later, she was back in the hospital with blood clots in her lungs. So, she was back in intensive care for another stay. She was constantly on a roller coaster ride with the doctors trying to regulate her medications. Finally, she was well enough to go back to the nursing home to finish her rehab. Thankfully, after several weeks there, her devout faith in God and many, many people praying for her, she was able to come home on Jan. 31. She had been gone from her home for three long months. She tires easily, but at 85, she is still a go getter and a “tough old bird”. I know she is anxious to start her quilting again and her grandchildren can’t wait for her to make them snickerdoodles. I am especially thankful to still have her here and I can talk to her everyday. She is my very Special Valentine.

We, as a family, would like to nominate Tom Clemons, for a special valentine. Our family has been through some trying times in the past few years, with sickness, surgeries and such. Tom is our neighbor. He has been there for us whenever we have needed help. He brought his tractor and helped feed our livestock one entire winter. He has been just a phone call away. He has helped with tasks big and small. When called on his answer is always, “I’ll be there in a little while.” It means a great deal to have someone who will be there. We have been neighbors for years and would like to publicly recognize him, as a symbol of our appreciation. It is hard to properly thank someone for their friendship and kindness. We feel honoring him as a special valentine would help to show him as a special valentine that his actions are never taken for granted.

That is absolutely so true of my daughter, Sarah Fightmaster Bayerle.  Last year was a difficult year for our family.  I was diagnosed with some pesky breast cancer and it shook me to my very core.  Sarah saved me!  My daughter guided me through some trying days and nights.  Doctor visits, ugly chemo treatments, cancer trolls dancing in my head all fell to her strength and calmness.  Her brother Steven was a senior at Grant County High.  Sarah jumped in and helped him on his college quest, working with him on applications, not letting important deadlines get missed, attending all his senior events (he was in many) and took him to Washington D.C. for a visit with the college of his choice during spring break. Sarah is one of Grant County’s involved educators, teaching second grade at Mason Corinth.  She is active in their PTT and on Mason Corinth Elementary’s site base council while working towards her masters of education.  She has been married for almost 7 years to one of Lexington’s finest band directors, she attends and supports all his events.  I don’t know how she does it all and with such grace and good nature.  I am so proud of Sarah, an exceptional teacher, friend, wife, cancer troll destroyer and daughter.  She truly is a special Valentine to me and to many others.