[Marlin Democrat] Column -- There's cool - then there's COOL

There's cool - then there's COOL
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe

The Marlin Democrat
July 28, 2004

There are certain things that never fail to be “cool” to do. They are those things that you brag about on the playground in kindergarten, and you still brag about them around the water cooler at work.

Well, I’ve got something I’ve been bragging about for several days now, and I’ll continue to brag about it for a long time to come.

I rode in a firetruck.

Yup. I did. How cool is that?

See, I never before got to do that. I was either never in the right organization, never won the right contest, or else that honor was reserved for cheerleaders or football team. It just depended on what parade and when.

What kid doesn’t stare in awe at that bright red engine, with its ladders, hoses and sirens?

Here I am, 23 years old, and, still, I stare in awe at that truck. Deep down I’ve always wondered how cool it would be to take a ride in one.

Now, I’ve done a lot of “cool” things in my life. Some of which are things that might, to some people, surpass riding in a fire truck on the coolness scale.

For example, I’ve attended a music video shoot and been on a tour bus several times. I’ve watched a concert from backstage. I’ve been in the presence of a former president. I’ve found a story I wrote for The Battalion on Yahoo! News.

I’ve done a lot of cool things.

However, for me, this latest adventure sits way up near the top of my list of things I’ve done. I rode in a fire truck. I’m so cool.

When to opportunity to take this trip presented itself, I immediately went to war with myself.

I am a six year old at heart, and that internal child bounced up and down and squealed in glee. She ran around in circles chanting, “Is it time yet?”

The perpetual adolescent inside smirked and thought of how she was going to brag to ALL her girlfriends about getting to ride in a fire truck with the firemen. (I do realize that I am SO never going to live this part down.) The worked on how she was going embellish the story here and there just enough to make everyone green with envy.

Then there was the professional young woman who tried to look at it as a learning experience that could be applied towards a future article. The professional stayed calm and cool, answering with a polite, “Yes please!” to the offer.

In the end, though, I believe the six-year-old won. It was with a giddy glee that I rode in the backseat with the wind whipping through my hair taking it all in and watching the scenery pass. The six year old stared out the window at stops signs and stoplights hoping to see someone she knew so she could wave with an innocent, excited grin.

Oh how the professional battled with that child. She scolded. She offered the child candy if it would just sit still for a little while.

However, on a whole, the six year old came out on top and couldn’t wait to tell everyone she knew. Friends, family, and even strangers heard that internal six year old randomly babble about her ride on the big read fire truck. For days, when the professional would feel down for some reason, and the adolescent was being moody, the six year old would pop up and randomly go, “Guess what... I rode in a fire truck!” and then run away giggling the whole time.

So to everyone who made this possible, I send out a great big THANK YOU. You made me the “cool kid” on the block for awhile. But more importantly, you’ve proven once again that Marlin has some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. You definitely have a friend in me...

And hey...

Can I do it again?

[Marlin Democrat] -- Local Woman Passes Century Mark

Local Woman Passes Century Mark
by Denise Schoppe
Staff Writer

The Marlin Democrat
July 28, 2004

In 1904, the World’s Fair was held in St. Louis, Mo., as was the third Summer Olympics. The ice cream cone was invented, Times Square was given its name and it was a leap year.

A hundred years later, the world’s eyes are on Iraq, and the 28th Summer Olympics will be held in Athens, Greece. Ground has been broken on the Freedom Tower in New York City, and it is once again a leap year.
The years in between are the span of the life of one Marlin resident.

On July 19, 2004, Ida Murphy Diles turned 100 years old. Through those years there were many changes in the world, but for Diles, life remained a simple one, full of hard work, family, and a lot of faith.

Her life started in Wheelock, Texas, a small town 15 miles northeast of Bryan. Born to Ida and Sidney Murphy, she lived there until the age of 16. Her parents referred to her simply as “Daughter,” and it became a nickname that stuck.

At 16, her father brought her to Falls County, where she then lived with her aunt, Mary Lockhart. She attended Zion Rock Hill Summerville School under Professor Ed Pannell.

In 1924, at 20 years of age, she met and married Tally Diles. They lived in the Fish Creek Community for many years, and the couple had 10 children.

Twelve years after getting married, in 1936, Diles moved from Fish Creek to Bishop Lane in Highbank where she shared a duplex with her sister-in-law, Beatrice Diles. There, they raised their children and farmed.
Most of her life was spent on farms in Highbank where she performed manual tasks.

Diles was active at the Zion Rock Baptist Church, where she became known as “Mother of the Church.” She continued to faithfully walk to church up to the age of 97.

Her family told the story of how the minister wanted her to use a cane to help her walk. They describe her is a proud woman, and while she did use the cane, upon arriving at church she threw the cane into the weeds.

Her favorite song is “This Little Light of Mine” and her faith carried her through the years. Even after having a stroke, Diles continued to walk using a walker to get around. She believed in taking care of herself for as long as she was able. However, a fall three years ago, resulting in a fracture, forced her to move to Marlin where she now lives with her daughter, Emma Butler.

Even at 100 years of age, Diles is alert and recognizes family members and friends. When asked if she would like to go fishing, she enthusiastically replies with a “Yes.” She also has a special love for teacakes.

Out of her 10 children, four are now deceased. However, she is still surrounded with a large family that boasts 44 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life she lived by one motto that she passed along to the generations following her:

“Love and kindness will carry you a long way. Obey your mother and father, that your days may be long.”