This past weekend our family, (on my dad's side), held our annual family get-together. It mainly consist of cousins now. All the brothers have passed away except for the third born son. He is now the patriarch of the family. He has always been a gentle giant. He stands well over 6 feet tall but such a meek spirit. "Uncle Mitch," I asked, "How does it feel to be the only one left in your family?" With tears in his eyes he told me that it was really hard. He said that he thought a lot about doing things with his brothers that he had so enjoyed doing with them in the past. Especially my daddy, the oldest in the family. They were both very athletic; my daddy active in basketball, football, and softball, coaching all three and my uncle, very active in golf, until just recently, did his health prevent him from playing. He was a very good golf player, probably could have gone pro at one time. Daddy and my uncle did so many things together even as adult men. Both, him and daddy refereed basketball games together for many years. They were so good that they refereed state championships. They were and my uncle still is avid sportsmen; loving to fish and then frying them, fresh right out of the creek. They are both known for their fried fish and hush puppies. I know. I've enjoyed them many times. As he talked about daddy, he said that he wished that he could just have a little more time with him. Uncle Mitch, I pray that you know Jesus. You will have a wonderful reunion one day with daddy, your other brothers and sister that died at childbirth, granny, and poppy. Oh, what a reunion that will be! I know you have a lot of catching up to do... you will have plenty of time to do it...for eternity.
My mom is the matriarch of the family. She is the only sibling still living in her family. The baby of a family of six children. Two girls, including herself, and four brothers. She is an amazing woman. Her and daddy celebrated their golden wedding anniversary before he passed away. She was the wind beneath his feet when he was alive. She was a quiet force to be reckoned with though. Daddy knew when he was awfully close to that infamous, "line drawn in the sand." Daddy a great man in everything he accomplished, college basketball high point maker, high school football and basketball state champion, high school principal, and state legislator; known for always standing firm on his beliefs and staying the same whether he was in the woods talking to friends or in the capitol building. He might have been known as Big Sam but everyone knew who really helped make him who he was, my mom. Mom has her own bragging rights though, she coached winning high school teams in softball, track, and volleyball. She coached all girls, rather they played sports or not everyday in her physical education classes.She will tell you that her greatest accomplishment is caring about young girls. No matter where I go, everyone always ask me about my mom. I often hear stories about how both my parents impacted their lives growing up. My chest swells with pride for my parents. My mom is eighty -five, just a month shy of eighty-six. She is definitely the glue that sticks our family together. She still provides that same strong foundation for all our family that she always did for daddy.
My mom was married to my dad for over fifty years and my uncle and Aunt Toogie have been married for over 50 years, also. They both raised a respectable family and diligently worked at the same jobs for over 30 years. They are well-known and loved in their communities. What a great accomplishment. Hold your heads high! Even though you have done so much, you're not finished yet. God still has you here for a purpose.
Since my move to the woods, I have a new appreciation for pine trees. They have never been my favorite tree. I have always been partial to the hardwoods; the oak tree especially, as it shows off all it's magnificent color in the fall and changes through the seasons. But, the pine trees have caught my eye. I knew they were tall but as I gaze up at them in the night sky, they appear to go on and on, endlessly. They stand so tall and confident. Last night as I sat around our campfire and looked up into the night sky, I once again saw the vast stature of the pine trees all around us. It appeared as if they held there head a little higher as they towered above the other trees in the woods. It made me think of my "family tree"; my mama and Uncle Mitch, and all their accomplishments. They should walk a little straighter and lift their heads a little higher. Not because they are better than anyone else or have necessarily accomplished more than anyone else. It's because they are the salt of the earth; just plain, down to earth, good people. Uncle Mitch, Aunt Toogie, mama, like the pine tree, you have definitely flourished in the "soil" that God has given you. I think that is all He ask us to do.
Love and appreciate you so very much,
Sammie Jean
whoever pursues righteousness and love; finds life, prosperity, and honor Proverbs 21:21 NIV
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| Uncle Mitch at Cousins Reunion Feb. 2017 |
