12/3/2005 Dear Harry & All:
You are so, so kind. I TRY to be exactly what you describe with your very lovely words here. I don't always succeed, but I think the real value is in CONTINUOUSLY TRYING to be what we're supposed to be rather than whether or not we always suceed, don't you? That is what both my parents taught us. Daddy sort of made the rules we lived by and because he was so often absent from home, Mama implemented his doctrines. It takes much trust between 2 people, and much reciprocal love to raise a family like that. Ralph & particularly my Aunt Jimmie will tell you this very quickly. They have managed to raise 3 really good adults with pretty close to this same method. They both readily admit they are LUCKIER than Mama & Daddy were because the groundwork was done for them by Daddy as far as the band is concerned, and finances allowed them to have telephones, cellphones, and more frequent trips home for Ralph which was instrumental to the success of their family life. They've been married about 38 or so years now, they finally married a couple of years after Daddy left us. I applaud them & also my parents for their successful, long-standing marriages in a society where this is the EXCEPTION rather than the rule. I think by having this, both sets of their children have been able to hang onto their examples and navigate our ways in the world successfully-NOT always without great difficulty, sacrifice and perserverence, but successfully in the end. Again, Harry, you and everyone else here give me such hope that I will make a full recovery. Without going into details, this is the SECOND time I've stared death in the face, close enough to see his freckles (quoting Daddy on that one, he thought he would recover from his final illness and said he'd been too close to death because he'd been SO close he could count the freckles on Death's face!) in 2.5 years. Whatever else experiencing this does, walking up to Death's door, knocking & then being turned away (hopefully this time also) causes one to look at life differently. If you haven't "Lived Every Day Like You Were Dying", you start once you've recovered. I've tried to live that way most of my adult life and moreso since I nearly died 2 years ago. This time, I face a far greater threat to life. BUT-thank God I have had 2 of the best examples of how to LIVE (BOTH parents & especially Daddy) and how to DIE (Mama) to follow. Daddy & Ralph are also BOTH real testaments to the fact that a "star" CAN remain in a long-standing, successful marriage to the same person AND raise a family to become decent, law-abiding adults and good citizens at the same time. I have come to measure "success" not only by worldly standards which I think are overrated, but by the real gifts we have to give to the world which I feel is raising kids who try to do right and who will help improve the standard of behaviour of the general population and everyone they're involved with. Daddy & Ralph were that kind of men and they've left this gift to all of their kids & the world. To me this is MORE of a gift to the world than their wonderful voices and songwriting-because I think singing/songwriting is a talent, God-given while parenting and successful marriages take much more work and devotion-particularly when you're away from home 40 weeks a year, aren't present when your kids are born, and your spouse must be a "single parent" for all intents & purposes. Both Daddy & Ralph, Aunt Jimmie, & my Mother have the greatest admiration I can give and they richly deserve it for the lives they both tried their best to lead while still doing what Daddy felt was their God-given obligation-Sharing the talent God gave them with the World. I have much faith in God and I have told Him I'll accept whatever He has in store for me and I will follow wherever He chooses to lead me. I have wonderful support from a husband better than I probably deserve and am lucky to have and a nuclear family anyone would be proud to call their own and I have friends, many of you included, that I treasure. I believe this will turn out well and that my life is in God's hands and always has been. I take GREAT comfort from the spiritual music of the Stanley Brothers and have played their music constantly since I spoke with my doctor here. Thanks, Harry, & the lady who has more Stanley Brothers music than any other type, honey I love "Angel Band" and have prayed that each person who passes from this world to the next can have an "Angel Band" to "Bear them Away on her snowy wings, to my eternal home" to ease the journey. I believe my folks had that and that we all will. I too love "Stone Walls & Steel Bars", "Harbour of Love", "Purple Robe" "Jacob's Vision", "The Fields Have Turned Brown", "How Can we Thank Him for What He has Done?" is one of my VERY favorites. I've drawn great strength from The Stanley Brothers' spiritual music in the last few days & I pray that anyone else who faces such a challenge can do the same. That was their aim-to bring hope & sunshine to all of you through their music. I think this website is one way their success at this is shown. If we keep in mind here that the music is what we're here about, we'll do them honor every time. Keep loving bluegrass & gospel music, it's the best music in the world... Cordially your friend, Doris Stanley Bradley Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: " " In a message dated 12/2/2005 3:41:18 PM Eastern Standard Time, " " [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: " " When I'm well & home again I'll be " " right back here, right in the middle of you all. " " God bless you. You and the others who are like you in this world are truly " " " " what is so great about being alive. I believe Your care and devotion to " " family, " " and to the things that are right in the world are what God intended for us " " to " " be like. You seem to be a very special person. " " " " Keep thinking positive thoughts no matter what. And laugh. And pray. God " " wants you to be happy. And he wants you to always be ever stronger for your " " family " " and friends and for the impact you have on the world. Obviously I dont know " " " " you, but from your words I can tell how good hearted you are. Everytime " " someone " " such as you has the opportunity to expose their personality and beliefs to " " " " the world, the world becomes a better place. Thank you. " " " " Harry Sublett " " Bluegrass Bulletin Board brought to you by the fan club of Dr Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys subscribe or unsubscribe at http://drralphstanley.com/
