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For Linda Hoff Clement a new adventure
has just begun - the adventure of publishing her first story book!
Linda grew up mostly in small Ohio villages until she was 14. In 1959
Miss Hoff traveled to Barbourville, Kentucky which is nestled in the
foothills of the Cumberland mountains. There she attended, site
unseen, Union College, a small Methodist college. This was a big
change in Miss Hoff's young life but it was love at first sight! All
along life's was, Linda has marveled at the many wonderfully caring
people God has introduced into her life.
In her senior year at Union, Linda
married Bob Clement. Several years later Bob was invited back to work
for the college; first as an admissions counselor and then as Dean of
Students. During these years they were blessed with a daughter,
Melinda and a son, Rob. Now the
Clements are enjoying the blessing of
five grandchildren. Later in life the Clements returned to work at
Union College. This time Bob filled the position of alumni director.
Linda's teaching career started in
Nashville, Tennessee. Then she taught in the Barbourville City School
System and later in a private kindergarten at the Barbourville First
Baptist Church. She also taught for 18 years in Pleasant Plains,
Ill. Upon returning to Barbourville she was hired as an adjunct
professor at Union and taught "Science for the Elementary Teacher".
Over the years, Linda had opportunities
to share personal childhood stories with her kindergarten students.
She often thought about writing them down and having her mother
illustrate the stories.
Finally, when her mother was 80, Linda
started writing down this story. Her mother drew the pictures and
Linda created pages that were to look as if they were from her
memory. In the year 2000 a local friend put the story into a book and
made twelve copies which Linda gave to her family for Christmas.
Since retirement Linda has subbed in many
elementary schools and has read her story whenever possible. The
responses have always been heart warming and many people have
encouraged her to get it published.
In the summer of 2009 Linda's mother
passed away at the age of ninety-two. That event sparked her to get
serious about publishing this story again. She regrets that she
didn't get it done during her mother's lifetime.
Linda's story highlights how easy it is
to show love to one another, just be being there for each other and
helping each other accomplish the things they want to do - (in this
case, build an igloo). This childhood memory would not be so
satisfying if the family hadn't all worked together to achieve the
final result.
Children who grow up in loving homes pass
on the loving attitude to subsequent generations. Linda feels that
following our love for God, is our love for family. The family unit
is so vital to our whole society.
So, come and read, _*THE
COZY LITTLE IGLOO,*_ a true adventure of a snowy day in Linda's
childhood. Come along and capture the surprise with Linda, as she
awakes to the awesome snow! Come along and experience the fun on the
winter day of long ago, when so many things were simpler and yet so
many things were the same! |