Today's Featured Biography

 
Gwen Gabbert Odom

The past five years have brought many new and unexpected chapters in my life, some joyful and some sorrowful.

Watching my fun-filled, energetic, vibrant mother go down four years ago at age
92 was, for me, one of life's greatest trials. Even in the last six weeks of her life, she was playing her piano and playing bridge. During those final weeks, while
having lunch together in downtown Lake Charles at The Pujo Street Cafe, she
entertained all of the lunch crowd with a medley of tunes on their old piano.
After the applause subsided, the owner rushed over to our table and made a
legitimate offer to her to come play every p.m. for their "Happy Hour" for a
salary, free drinks, free dinner and tips!!! Go....mom....go! Extraordinary
woman, extraordinary life, extraordinary mom!!!

Two years ago, we did exactly the opposite of what everyone our age was doing.
Instead of downsizing, we moved to a newer, larger home here in Beaumont. It
is great having enough space when all the family gathers. We took a small hit
from Hurricane Rita, but are about to wind up the repairs.

We remain close to our children and grandchildren, though they are all out of
state. Daughter, Allison, and son-in-law, Brady and our three little granddaughters
make their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Entrepreneur son, Scott, continues his dental practice in Lafayette, La. while
engaging in the hotel business as a sideline. We tag along to all of the IHG
conventions in various parts of the country and will be attending our third one
in October in Toronto, Canada. Should you ever be in Lafayette looking for a
nice new place to stay, check out the Holiday Inn Express on Ambassador-
Caffrey.

Another of my blessings is my pharmacist-husband of 43 years who vows and
declares he will one day retire, and I keep reminding him, "The Party is Now".

May God continue to bless each and every one of you. Hope to see you at
the reunion.

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