We'll Miss you, Uncle Buddy!

Tragically, my uncle Henry died this week. Sadly, I could not fly to Alabama for the funeral because it was too close to my ear surgery. So, I spent a little time looking over some old photos of my mom's brother (just 2 years younger than she) and found this one. Whether you called him Henry, Buddy, or Big Henry, or just "Big", he was an uncomplicated Southern man from a small town with a big heart and warm smile. He loved his family with a passion and we will miss him dearly. My cousin told me today about this Alan Jackson song that just describes him to a T. And yes, I have to agree. Check out the video from YouTube (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5675415937808124856 ). Here are the lyrics:

"Small Town Southern Man" by Alan Jackson

Artist: Alan Jackson
Song: Small Town Southern Man
Album: Good Times


Born the middle son of a farmer
And a small town Southern man
Like his daddy's daddy before him
Brought up workin' on the land
Fell in love with a small town woman
And they married up and settled down
Natural way of life if you're lucky
For a small town Southern man

First there came four pretty daughters
For this small town Southern man
Then a few years later came another
A boy, he wasn't planned
Seven people livin' all together
In a house built with his own hands
Little words with love and understandin'
From a small town Southern man

Chorus:
And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam
And he only loved one woman
(He) was always proud of what he had
He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man
(Raised on the ways and gentle kindness)
(Of a small town Southern man)

Callous hands told the story
For this small town Southern man
He gave it all to keep it all together
And keep his family on his land
Like his daddy, years wore out his body
Made it hard just to walk and stand
You can break the back
But you can't break the spirit
Of a small town Southern man

(Repeat Chorus)

Finally death came callin'
For this small town Southern man
He said it's alright 'cause I see angels
And they got me by the hand
Don't you cry, and don't you worry
I'm blessed, and I know I am
'Cause God has a place in Heaven
For a small town Southern man

(Repeat Chorus)

Happy Easter

Christ has risen indeed!  I just had to post a few pictures of Easters past that I ran across today. The black & white one is from Easter 1964.  Yes, that's me with my sister, Lisa, at my grandmother's house in our Easter dresses, hats, & purses made by our mom (that poor cat!). Then there are the cute ones of the boys when they still enjoyed Easter egg hunts and playing with bunnies rather than trying to shoot them with bb guns.  Where does the time go?  

Update

I can't believe I haven't written anything on my blog since my surgery.  Well yes, I can.  Healing from my ear surgery hasn't been fun - too slow - and I hate not being able to hear.  I hate feeling like I have an ear infection every day.  Now my doctor says I also have burning tongue syndrome.... probably caused from the trauma of the surgery and my taste buds are impaired.  Something to do with the tympanic nerve?  Since I can't hear well, noisy places are confusing... so I've been retreating to my quiet space in my bedroom.  Discovered a new great book by Francine Rivers (Voice in the Wind) about Esther - which happens also to be the Bible Study I just finished by Beth Moore.  Hearing impaired people can still work, so, I've also been working hard on the Resurrection Golf Auction.  I have an unpainted playhouse now in my garage and will be picking up a puppy next week (won't Terry be surprised when he comes home from his trip) - both are auction items on May 8th.  Want to know more about the Golf Auction?  Check out the website at www.cor.org/auction .  There's a picture of the puppy there too under "partial listing of items to be auctioned off."