Anyone that knows me knows that I am never at a loss for words, but I would like to say that I don’t have the adequate skills to describe how grateful I am for the generous contributions and support that the people of Adams County and Concordia Parish, and many other places, have shown my son, Mark Porter, and our families.

I am absolutely awed by the gifts to auction off and the monetary gifts that we have received.

Thanks for the generosity of Andre Farish and Beth Hite, and all the employees that worked so hard to put this benefit on.

I also want to thank Peter Trosclair and his staff for doing the cooking, along with Lane Browning, Brad McSwain and Eddie Smith and Keith Lowe, who not only came and cooked catfish and hushpuppies, but also provided the food.

Food was prepared and donated by Pig Out Inn, Biscuits and Blues and Hicks Chicks, utensils from Blankensteins and Lehmanns.

Thanks for the super music that was provided by Larry Badley and Brandon McRaney and their awesome bands, it set the mood.

I want to thank Stephanie and Allan Hutchins and Southwest Distributing Company for the signs, banners, dozens of T-shirts, hats and visors, leis, pins and the generous monetary contribution.

I also want to thank Stephanie for driving to New Orleans when Mark had a surgical procedure when he was in the early stages of his illness. There are some kindnesses that are above others. All of the merchants, restaurants, Eola Hotel, Twin Oaks, The Old South Winery, carriage rides and al the friends who came and supported the benefit.

I want to thank Mr. Waller, at Solar Distributors, for his generous gift of a motor for Mark’s air conditioner and Cecil and Mac MacCarstle for installing it, at no charge, when in the midst of everything, the motor on his house air conditioner burned up.

Mark has to have it cool in order to breathe. I want to thank all of my co-workers for putting up with me when I am a “little off” and all of my friends that have provided me with so many wonderful memories. I want to thank Eddie Burkes for doing me a personal favor that is so important to me (I won’t mention what it is to protect Eddie). I want to thank my very best friends Rudy and Carolyn Krueger for so many great memories and kindness’ over the years. I also want to thank my former customers and my dear employees for coming to support us. I love you all. I’d better stop before I get too mushy. I know I have probably left someone out, but believe me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We have continued to receive money from so many sources. We are so grateful at the generosity we have had bestowed on us. I’d like to mention that the prayers are working because Mark has had so many good days lately and on his check-up July 16, he had a positive report. It is so important to be in a good physical condition when you have a single transparent let alone a double.

This will be the first liver and double lung transplant that Oschner’s has done. Oschner’s is a remarkable hospital and we have every confidence that the transplant will be successful.

Karla Porter, Toni Doyle and Mark and Mary Ellen, Steven, Andrew Porter and I thank you again and again!

 

Bobbye Porter

Natchez resident