Tamaroa couple tells EVERYONE along Gladson Road 'Thank You!'

It is true. We are only alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of the blessings we have received from the people whom we love that are around us.

Two such people are Charles and Ann Morris, who moved from Cahokia, Ill. three years ago and are now residents of 4200 Gladson Road southeast of Tamaroa.

They are thankful under all circumstances and particularly for the friends they have made along Gladson Road.

"Give and ye shall receive."

"Do unto others as you as you would have them do unto you." The Golden Rule.

The people who live along Gladson Road are all about these things--and more.

It's a neighborhood of reciprocity where sometimes the smallest favors can take up the most room in your heart.

And to say "Thank You" for the acts of kindness shown them, the Morrises on Sunday held a barbecue in their yard for EVERYONE along Gladson Road.

"We sent out invitations to six families and THEIR families," says Ann Morris. "We had 41 people here," she said. "It was a GREAT day!"

"We had pork chops and hamburgers and brats. We had hot dogs for the kids. I made baked beans and potato salad and cucumber salad. It was a 'thank you' party.

"We started about 2 o'clock and it went until about 6 o'clock," Ann said. "Some people had church Sunday night and had to leave," she said.

The barbecue was held at the Morris home, near a beautiful seven-acre pond that next door neighbor Bob Murry built.

"The weather was great. It was the most perfect day!" she said. "God was shining on us."

But, why? Why do this?

Here's why.

"We lived in Cahokia for many years. Everybody knows my husband as Pee Wee. He had an automotive shop called Pee Wee's and everybody loved him because he charged for repairs by the job, not by the hour," says Ann.

Never charging enough made him a great man.

"He had a staph infection that got in his spine and the doctor told us he needed to retire," she remembers.

They moved to Tamaroa. "We were here maybe six months and he had to have back surgery," she said.

A "knock on the door" was a way of life as everyone along Gladson Road stopped by to offer help. "A couple of weeks ago Pee Wee fell and broke a couple of ribs. We were overwhelmed by the food and the help."

"People in Cahokia do not know what friends are," she said. "They do here."

When Ann's back went out, a neighbor literally carried her out to the car.

When the couple's car got stuck in the driveway, a neighbor came by with a tractor and pulled them out.

The friendship is reciprocal. During last winter's bitter cold, Pee Wee helped his neighbors thaw out their frozen water pipes. Bob Murry was one of them. "We have two Bobs out here. We call one 'Bob in the white house' and 'Bob in the greenhouse'," she said.

Pee Wee helps his neighbors when they need anything. He knows automotive repair like the back of his hand.

"Pee Wee told me that I needed to swallow my pride after all that has been done for us. That's why we decided to have a meet & greet out here at our house. Pee Wee is friends with everyone. I am more quiet. I didn't know all the wives."

And, because of that day everyone along Gladson Road is part of something much larger.