A chill is in the air and it is a gray, drizzly day. Winter approaches. It is Thursday and I have looked forward to my next adventure at J. M. Morrow Memorial Nursing Home. Sybil and I visit often. She is always so welcoming when I stop in on her. She always has time for me. Her “Easter Memories” is one of my favorite stories we have written. My little grandchildren love it. But, I have not written “her” story. Like a picture you must take so that you don’t forget the details, Sybil’s story is what I want to capture today.

After checking in with the Activities Coordinators, I greet friends all the way down to Sybil’s room. She is sitting in her wheelchair reading her prayers when I look into her room. She immediately invites me to come in and sit in her recliner.

Sybil is beautiful. My sister Mavis Arnaud Frugé teasingly calls her “Miss America.” Sybil is always beautifully dressed and made up. Her shiny hair is full, curly and silver. When I compliment Sybil on her appearance, she answers: “That’s me. It’s a habit. I feel like it and it is always better for me. I am doing good. Lou makes it easy. She has done my hair for a long time.” I ask if she knew Lou (the nursing home hairdresser) before she came to the nursing home? “No, but I have been here seven years and Lou always does a great job with my hair. I have scheduled an appointment for a haircut. I didn’t tell anyone. I want to surprise them when I come out with my short hair!”

“My husband was particular,” she continues. “He liked me well-groomed and he liked a neat home. I did my best and sometimes he would caution me that I was overdoing it.”

During one of my previous visits, Sybil told me about her beauty queen daughters. She has two girls with 8 beauty pageant crowns between them. I ask Sybil if she had ever competed because Sybil is a beauty! “No, my girls did that. Now, when they call for me to get ready because we are going out, they remind me to ‘Be sure you are well dressed, Momma.’“ I know she is.

Sybil grew up in Cecilia, the daughter of Olide and Angela Guidry Hollier. The children are Elie “Bee Zoo,” Noelle, Paola, Thelma, Arthur, Harry, Bradley, Olide, Steve and Sybil “Sue.” There was one little girl called “Marie” who was born during the flood of 1927. She did not live. Sybil’s Dad reminded them often about “Little Marie.” They did not forget her. Elie was really raised by Sybil’s aunt, her mother’s sister, who had never had any children of her own and so she took Elie. The boys knew each other well but Sybil didn’t get to know Elie like her other brothers as she was much younger.

Sybil’s mother was a twin. They were Angela and Angelle Guidry from Cecilia. Sybil’s father was Olide Hollier. He had one brother, Aldus Hollier who had only one son called “Adeo.”

Sybil’s sister Noelle married Freddie Duplechien. Freddie was the driver who would bring a group to the Silver Slipper Dance Hall on Highway 31 between Arnaudville and Leonville. Sybil was watched carefully by her brothers. “Harry watched me like a hawk. He was strict. He would caution me not to go in the ‘blue room.’ I didn’t even know what that was. Later, I learned that Harry referred to the room where liquor was served as the blue room. You could buy a drink and sit in that area with a boy. My brother Bradley was not as bad. Bradley would have me clean and polish his shoes before the dance. He was courting Lena Schexnayder, who became his wife. They are both deceased now.

My cousin Loretta Guidry came with me to the dances. She later married Nelson Quebedeaux, who is a brother to Bruno, also a resident in the nursing home.

One night, a young man asked Sybil to dance. As they danced, another boy motioned them to come over. Sybil’s dancing partner said: “Let’s go talk to him.” During the conversation the boys discussed which one would dance with Sybil. When they couldn’t agree, they asked Sybil to choose. She chose the other boy, Olen Stelly and that led to their 62-year marriage.

Olen came to visit Sybil on foot. He walked a great distance but he visited anyway. Olen and his father worked as carpenters in Texas. After Olen met Sybil, he found work close to home. Mr. Clopha Quebedeaux is the person who started Olen on his career as a carpenter. Mr. Clopha was good to Olen. It was not long before Olen asked Mr. Hollier for Sybil’s hand in marriage. Sybil said her dad came to her and asked if she wanted him. She said she did. Her father then turned to Olen and said: "You can marry her but don’t bring her back."

They married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cecilia. Loretta Guidry, Sybil’s cousin and the girl who accompanied her to the Silver Slipper dances served as her bridesmaid.

Later, Sybil, attended by her mother-in-law and Dr. Bobby Morrow, gave birth to her first daughter at the St. Francis Clinic after a very long labor. And, then, there was the second daughter. Childbirth was difficult but soon it was all forgotten and life went on.

Through their married life, Sybil remembers Olen “worked, worked, worked!” He was a great provider. The girls had everything they wanted, even to the big weddings.

Somewhere along the way, Olen took up the habit of smoking. She asked Olen why? He answered that he saw others smoking and he wanted to try it too.

Olen did enjoy his work. One day, he was approached by M. P. Dumisnil. Mr. Dumisnil asked Olen: “Do you like what you do?” He told Olen that he wanted to hire him as his superintendent where he could teach others and it would mean less hard work for Olen. He agreed.

Olen enjoyed his work as a superintendent. One day, he suffered an accident at work when he was cutting something. The person at the top securing Olen let go of the line and Olen fell into a deep hole. He was seriously injured and was in the hospital for a very long time. During that stage, Sybil was visited by Mr. Dumisnil who told her “We can’t lose that man.”

Sybil felt that Olen could no longer work and when she asked him what he would do, he tapped his head. He said: “I have to go back.” Sybil asked him to “Be careful.”

Later in life, sickness came to Olen. He developed a cough and Sybil fears that the cigarettes were the reason for his illness.

M.P. Dumisnil lives still. His son approached Sybil to buy her home. He knew who had built that house and so knew the quality of the construction. He assured Sybil that he would take care of her house and she is positive he does.

It is still painful to even drive by her home. But, Sybil is comfortable in her room and she is not alone. There are people around her. She has a beautiful bedspread on her bed. (See picture below) It is one that her daughter Joyce has made for her. Joyce has a shop in Carencro where she sews her beautiful creations.

Jane is Sybil’s other daughter. She lives in Texas. Sybil has three granddaughters and one grandson. They are her pride and joy.

Sybil points out another treasure in her room. Olen made her a nightstand. You can see the great quality construction of her carpenter husband who spoiled his wife and daughters.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, Sybil remembers the holiday meals and the family and friends who came.

One year, Sybil and Olen raised ducks and after Sybil and Olen plucked and cleaned four big yard ducks, Sybil stuffed the ducks with onions, garlic and peppers. Everyone raved about the ducks! But, there was sometimes Baked Turkey, rice and cornbread dressing, as well as rice and gravy, yams and salad. Sybil made lemonade before there were soft drinks. The guests each left with a basket of leftovers.

Now, Joyce and her family hosts the holiday meals. Sybil says that with Joyce, it is “Perfect.” Every item on the menu and the beautiful cakes are all done perfectly.

So, life goes on. Sybil’s daughter sees that she has the colorful clothes she loves. They make sure she has the satin gowns and slippers she needs. Just as she spoiled them, now it is their turn and Sybil enjoys and appreciates their company and their care.