What do you remember?

As we get older it is a sad fact that people we love pass from this world and our lives. Some times for some reason I just sit and think of the people that I have lost, and what they meant to me. I am not talking about some morbid thoughts of what could have been. I think of the joy I experienced because these people were in my life. Some of you who read this will not feel the same way I do about these people. That’s ok I love you for who you are, and the joys you bring into my life.

Let me begin by saying I was not the best son, grandson, or brother that ever was. I am the best I know how to be and the influence of all these people help make me who I am. When my Grandmother died I indulged in some good old fashioned self pity. I felt she was the last of my parents and I was now an orphan. I was wrong in that thought, I am not and orphan and never will be. At fifty-one I am still learning and growing, influenced by people that love me.

As the youngest of five children, quite often I am sure I was a pain in the neck. But my Grandmother John, my Dads, mom would not let me be left out. One of my fondest memories of her was a two person game of trouble, just me and her. I had the attention span of a gnat and the “big kids” did not want me to mess up their game. All was right with the world.

Grandfather John was somewhat of a patriarch in my mind. That does not mean in reality he was some mythic head of the family. He just seemed so to one child. My best memory of him is a very firm lesson about loaded guns. You can feel how you want about striking a child, but a cuff to the back of the head because I did not check a weapon correctly probably is the reason I never shot my own foot off. To this day I double check any weapon even if I am the one that unloaded it.

Grandmother Newman was simply the most awesome grandmother one could have. From sitting with me or my children telling stories about the past to a thimble to the top of my noggin to jog my memory of spelling words she was the consummate grandmother. The stories she told me about my Grandfather Newman are the only memories I have of him and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for that.

Mother I will miss you for the rest of my life. I hope some day I will get to sing “Buffalo Gals” to my grand children. You know I was probably a teen ager before I realized you were joking about falling asleep and missing that bridge. Sorry folks this part is just between me and her.

Dad was not always there, but he did teach me some things and as an adult I had the opportunity to get to know him better. He taught me respect for others. He taught me to take responsibility for my own actions and try to make a difference in my world. Dad was never happy with his own parenting but I truly believe he did the best he knew how.

Pat, what does one say about and angel? We disagreed on politics and many social issues but you taught me that was ok. My middle sister never compromised her beliefs. She was beautiful inside and out. Pat do you remember when they asked you for your hall pass when you came to get your sick little brother from school? It was in a Jr. high and you were 21, that’s fun for kids of all ages.

Uncle Charles, with out knowing you taught me, never give up. I do not know how many times you started over but you always made it back.

Mrs. May, Your undying love for your Children and Husband were an inspiration. Your tenacity in their defense is awe inspiring.

Homer and Sue Little you were the definition of dedication to family.

Susan Parker, now matter what cards you were dealt you smiled in the face of it and never gave up.

Chris, Marci and Verne, do not think I love you less or that I have learned nothing from you. This was just some lubrication for my soul. This whole article was just me telling my self why my tears are justified sometimes. I miss the ones that are gone and that’s ok.

I wake up every day and, decide this will be a good day. I learned this from the people that have influenced me in my life over the years. No one said I should do it. They taught that lesson quietly and with out words. Look around at the people in your life. What are they teaching you with out knowing it?

Ya’ll are not as smart as you think.

A few days ago, I made the mistake of letting the misinformed opinion of others hurt my feelings. I has come to my attention that some people from above the mason Dixon line assume that people from below that line are somehow less intelligent. Now I first encountered this prejudice in the late 70’s when I was in the Navy and stationed in Connecticut. It again reared its ugly head almost five years ago when I moved to the mid-west. Well let me inform ya’ll of a few things. Just because we are from the south does not make us stupid.

Michael DeBakey was born in Lake Charles Louisiana and even worse to foreign Parents. The hospital he did his research in and the university he served at are both located in Houston Texas.

Howard Hughes, one of the wealthiest men that ever lived, was born in Houston, Texas. Did I mention he was a motion picture maker and an aviator? Oh, and the Hughes Glomar Explorer, helped the CIA recover a soviet nuclear submarine off the coast of Hawaii in 1974.

Louis Armstrong, Southern jazz, cornet, and trumpet player, singer, bandleader, and popular entertainer. Armstrong overcame poverty, a lack of formal education, and racism to become one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century, and one of the most beloved entertainers in the world. Louis was born in New Orleans Louisiana.

Omar Nelson Bradley was born - literally in a log cabin - near Clark, Missouri, on 12 February 1893, the only surviving child of schoolteacher John Smith Bradley and Sarah Elizabeth Bradley, nee Hubbard.

Patrick Henry, Southern orator and statesman, whose fiery patriotism was influential in leading the colonies toward revolution. Ya’ll remember, “Give Me liberty or give me death”? Mr. Henry was born in Virginia.

George Washington, the father of this great nation was also born in Virginia. Although worn out by years of service to his country, Washington reluctantly accepted the presidency of the United States.  Washington fully understood the significance of his presidency. “I walk on untrodden ground,” he said. “There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn in precedent.” During eight years in office, Washington laid down the guidelines for future presidents.

George Washington Carver, Harriet Tubman, Harry Truman, Woodrow Wilson, William Faulkner, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Babe Ruth are all proud sons and daughters of the south. There is a lot more folks but there is no reason to “beat a dead horse”.

So the next time you here a bit of a twang in someone’s voice or take note of a word that you might not be familiar with, do not assume that person is not that bright. We might just look at you and say, “Bless your heart”, which is southern for several things. Look it up!

Credit for some of the facts in this blog goes to http://www.knowsouthernhistory.net/index.html