Saturday, December 4, 2021
Remembering Malachi
I Wish
I wish my loved one hadn’t died….and I wish I had him back.
I wish you wouldn’t avoid saying his name and asking me about him. He was really important to me, and I’d like to know that he was important to you as well. When I cry because you do talk about him, I wish you knew it wasn’t because you hurt my feelings.
I cry because his death makes me sad…but if you allow me to share my grief…I’ll be forever thankful.
If it seems like I’m grieving too long, I wish you wouldn’t think I’m not dealing with it well...because for me there‘s no end to the grief I feel. I‘ll suffer my loss for the rest of my life, and I’m trying my best to live with that reality.
I wish you could understand that I can’t help thinking about him. My life was shattered when he died, and I’m doing my best to put the pieces back together. That may take a very long time…so please be patient with me.
Here’s the thing….I wish you knew that I have to hurt to heal.
When I say, "I'm doing okay," I wish you could understand that I don't really feel okay, and that I’m just saying that to make you feel better…because, inside, I’m sometimes slowly dying.
I wish you could realize that I do all I can to just make it through each day, and that grief changes people…because when my loved one died…part of me went with him. I’m not the same person I was before he died…and I’ll never be that person again.
I wish that you could understand my loss…my grief…my pain…my silence…and my tears…but to be honest…I wish that you’ll never have to understand.
Gary Sturgis - “Surviving Grief”
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Growing up without “fast food”
Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favourite 'fast food' when you were growing up?'
'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him.
'All the food was slow.'
'C'mon, seriously.. Where did you eat?'
'It was a place called 'home,'' I explained. !
'Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
By this time, the lad was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I'd figured his system could have handled it:
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore jeans, set foot on a golf course, travelled out of the country or had a credit card.
My parents never drove me to school... I walked. My brother had a bike and if I was lucky, he would let me ride it to piano lessons. We had raincoats and galoshes. So we didn’t get wet.
We didn't have a television in our house until I was 10.
It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at 10 PM, after playing the national anthem and epilogue; it came back on the air at about 6 am. And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people...
Pizzas were not delivered to our home... But milk was.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers --My brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. No Saturday papers.
He delivered each day at 5:00 pm but Sunday was at 5:00 am. And during the summer, he would cut grass. There were no riding lawn mowers, they didn’t even have motors. You pushed by hand. My spending money was earned by selling coke bottles and clothes hangers. Glass coke bottles were returned to the store for a $.02 deposit. Clothes hangers were returned to the dry cleaners 2 for a penny. $.10 would get you in the movies.
Film stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the films. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or almost anything offensive.
If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing.
Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
MEMORIES from a friend:
My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old lemonade bottle.
In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea.
She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old.
How many do you remember?
Headlight dip-switches on the floor of the car.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Trouser leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.
Soldering irons you heated on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn indicators.
Older Than Dirt Quiz:
Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about. Ratings at the bottom
1. Sweet cigarettes
2. Coffee shops with juke boxes
3. Home milk delivery in glass bottles
4. Party lines on the telephone
5. Newsreels before the movie
6. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning.
(There were only 3 channels [if you were fortunate])
7. Peashooters
8. 33 rpm records
9. 45 RPM records
10. Hi-fi's
11. Metal ice trays with levers
12. Blue flashbulb
13. Cork popguns
14. Wash tub wringers
15. Old 78 rpm records
'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him.
'All the food was slow.'
'C'mon, seriously.. Where did you eat?'
'It was a place called 'home,'' I explained. !
'Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
By this time, the lad was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I'd figured his system could have handled it:
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore jeans, set foot on a golf course, travelled out of the country or had a credit card.
My parents never drove me to school... I walked. My brother had a bike and if I was lucky, he would let me ride it to piano lessons. We had raincoats and galoshes. So we didn’t get wet.
We didn't have a television in our house until I was 10.
It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at 10 PM, after playing the national anthem and epilogue; it came back on the air at about 6 am. And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people...
Pizzas were not delivered to our home... But milk was.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers --My brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. No Saturday papers.
He delivered each day at 5:00 pm but Sunday was at 5:00 am. And during the summer, he would cut grass. There were no riding lawn mowers, they didn’t even have motors. You pushed by hand. My spending money was earned by selling coke bottles and clothes hangers. Glass coke bottles were returned to the store for a $.02 deposit. Clothes hangers were returned to the dry cleaners 2 for a penny. $.10 would get you in the movies.
Film stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the films. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or almost anything offensive.
If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing.
Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
MEMORIES from a friend:
My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old lemonade bottle.
In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea.
She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old.
How many do you remember?
Headlight dip-switches on the floor of the car.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Trouser leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.
Soldering irons you heated on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn indicators.
Older Than Dirt Quiz:
Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about. Ratings at the bottom
1. Sweet cigarettes
2. Coffee shops with juke boxes
3. Home milk delivery in glass bottles
4. Party lines on the telephone
5. Newsreels before the movie
6. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning.
(There were only 3 channels [if you were fortunate])
7. Peashooters
8. 33 rpm records
9. 45 RPM records
10. Hi-fi's
11. Metal ice trays with levers
12. Blue flashbulb
13. Cork popguns
14. Wash tub wringers
15. Old 78 rpm records
Back when I was a Kid
BACK WHEN I WAS A KID. HOW MANY CAN RELATE TO THIS.
Clothes were not disposable they were recycled. A lot of folks called blue jeans Dungarees. It was quite easy to tell if it was a new pair. First it was usually the beginning of the school year or after Christmas. Next the kids who had them might scratch a lot. Those new pants were so stiff that when you took them off you just stood them up in a corner. Giveaway number two was the deep blue color or the new blue tint to ones shirts. This meant that someone's mother forgot about the jeans and washed them with the other clothes. Color Fastness had not been invented yet. Another giveaway was how high the cuff was turned up. New dungarees were purchased to last a while so as you grew the cuffs grew shorter. The more you grew the better the fit! Boys were boys back then so without indoor electronics to keep them on their butts like today's kids grass stain and knee scuffs were a mother's biggest challenge. Then came the solution of adding some protection. This came by means of handy iron on knee patches before any knee wear occurred!
It was common to have at least 2 sets of clothing and if you were very lucky you had a third set.
Set1:
School clothes: take care of these clothes. When you come home from school you remove them before you do anything! If not something will go wrong and you will be in deep trouble. School clothes are inspected regularly for grass stains, tears and stains. Avoid either because you have to have a story for each. Not just a story, a believable story. Nor everyone had special school clothes but they were usually neat and clean.
Set 2:
Play clothes
Yes you played in this set. These clothes might be formerly known as school clothes. Grass stains, small tears, mud etc was acceptable in moderation. Major damage to these clothes could result in possible bodily harm from unhappy parents. Standing in a corner would have been a cake walk to many unruly lads of the day. I could see this as planning time for their next misadventure.
Set 3:
Church Clothes
We were raised to wear your best clothing to church. No, everyone did not have a special set of church clothes but what they did wear was as clean as possible and pressed. No t shirts, no jeans, no sneakers, etc. The rules were not as strict for younger children. Easter was a standard time to get a new set of church clothes. Who knows what started that. My personal guess was that it was an excuse for the ladies of the church to shop for their new Easter Bonnets! My opinion was that you keep your church as immaculate as can be afforded so why not look your best when you enter it. You didn't dress like you were headed to Wal-Mart, formerly called the Dime Store in my child hood.
I believe it might be an old school thing identified as RESPECT and PRIDE in your church and yourself.
DO NOT damage these clothes! You grew out of these clothes sometimes resulting in younger siblings getting -- New Sunday Clothes!
Even slight damage to church clothes could result in a Come To Jesus experience.
BACK WHEN I WAS A KID
Clothes were not disposable they were recycled. A lot of folks called blue jeans Dungarees. It was quite easy to tell if it was a new pair. First it was usually the beginning of the school year or after Christmas. Next the kids who had them might scratch a lot. Those new pants were so stiff that when you took them off you just stood them up in a corner. Giveaway number two was the deep blue color or the new blue tint to ones shirts. This meant that someone's mother forgot about the jeans and washed them with the other clothes. Color Fastness had not been invented yet. Another giveaway was how high the cuff was turned up. New dungarees were purchased to last a while so as you grew the cuffs grew shorter. The more you grew the better the fit! Boys were boys back then so without indoor electronics to keep them on their butts like today's kids grass stain and knee scuffs were a mother's biggest challenge. Then came the solution of adding some protection. This came by means of handy iron on knee patches before any knee wear occurred!
It was common to have at least 2 sets of clothing and if you were very lucky you had a third set.
Set1:
School clothes: take care of these clothes. When you come home from school you remove them before you do anything! If not something will go wrong and you will be in deep trouble. School clothes are inspected regularly for grass stains, tears and stains. Avoid either because you have to have a story for each. Not just a story, a believable story. Nor everyone had special school clothes but they were usually neat and clean.
Set 2:
Play clothes
Yes you played in this set. These clothes might be formerly known as school clothes. Grass stains, small tears, mud etc was acceptable in moderation. Major damage to these clothes could result in possible bodily harm from unhappy parents. Standing in a corner would have been a cake walk to many unruly lads of the day. I could see this as planning time for their next misadventure.
Set 3:
Church Clothes
We were raised to wear your best clothing to church. No, everyone did not have a special set of church clothes but what they did wear was as clean as possible and pressed. No t shirts, no jeans, no sneakers, etc. The rules were not as strict for younger children. Easter was a standard time to get a new set of church clothes. Who knows what started that. My personal guess was that it was an excuse for the ladies of the church to shop for their new Easter Bonnets! My opinion was that you keep your church as immaculate as can be afforded so why not look your best when you enter it. You didn't dress like you were headed to Wal-Mart, formerly called the Dime Store in my child hood.
I believe it might be an old school thing identified as RESPECT and PRIDE in your church and yourself.
DO NOT damage these clothes! You grew out of these clothes sometimes resulting in younger siblings getting -- New Sunday Clothes!
Even slight damage to church clothes could result in a Come To Jesus experience.
BACK WHEN I WAS A KID
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Mothers are Blessings
Your Mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well, she’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space, not even death.
Author unknown
I have a friend who used to come to my house every morning and go to school with my children. I did not know that he felt this way about me. These are comments that he made about me on Facebook. I am one blessed person that other children love me.
Thanks Mama. You will always be my second mother. I will never forget your love of a little boy who needed you and your family. You made me part of your family and I will never forget that. My childhood would have been much less without you, Marvin, Jimmy, Jeff, Jerry, Julia and Joey. It was a great time in my life. My response was “thank you”.
No thank you. Y'all saved me. I was loved. I was included. I never felt like I did anything other than to belong. It is a part of me that is still there today. They are my brothers, she is my sister and you are my mother. I couldn't have asked for more. The greatest thing about this is the fact I did not have to ask. You already knew what I needed without being told. That's what mothers do. I had some of the best times of my childhood at your house or the adventures you always took ALL OF your kids on including me.
Author unknown
I have a friend who used to come to my house every morning and go to school with my children. I did not know that he felt this way about me. These are comments that he made about me on Facebook. I am one blessed person that other children love me.
Thanks Mama. You will always be my second mother. I will never forget your love of a little boy who needed you and your family. You made me part of your family and I will never forget that. My childhood would have been much less without you, Marvin, Jimmy, Jeff, Jerry, Julia and Joey. It was a great time in my life. My response was “thank you”.
No thank you. Y'all saved me. I was loved. I was included. I never felt like I did anything other than to belong. It is a part of me that is still there today. They are my brothers, she is my sister and you are my mother. I couldn't have asked for more. The greatest thing about this is the fact I did not have to ask. You already knew what I needed without being told. That's what mothers do. I had some of the best times of my childhood at your house or the adventures you always took ALL OF your kids on including me.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Washing Clothes
"Warshing Clothes Recipe" - imagine having a recipe for this ! ! !
Years ago a Texas grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:
This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook, spelling errors and all.
WARSHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
Years ago a Texas grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:
This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook, spelling errors and all.
WARSHING CLOTHES
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
A MEMORIAL FOR THOMAS GUY BEALL
As I sat and read all the comments for Tommy this morning, I though about how much a part of this family that he was. With mom and dad gone, it just fell into place to call on Tommy. It is like he was a link to our parents. We didn't depend on him so much for support but just to be our sounding board. What about this and what about that just to keep in touch.. We all promised Evelyn (Mom) that we would take care of him but I think he took care of us. In the past 145 days, we have learned so much about what kind of person he was and is and continues to be as we face saying goodbye. The love that he showed everyone that he met was instilled in him by our parents. I have never seen a family that sticks together like we do. If we ever need an ear to listen or a ride or even just a hug, we have it in our family. And his music will go on forever. Every time I hear the Lord's Prayer, I will think of him. "I'll Fly Away" has a new meaning.
When I read his testimony, I knew that he had a part in so many lives in every walk of life. As a teacher, pupil, mentor, friend, family-you could never have a better person that Thomas Guy Beall. What a legacy-with his faithful friend and companion "Carter". I love you Tommy and I will so miss you.So now we say "Goodnight Tommy, I'll meet you in the morning."
HOW WE ALL SOMETIMES FORGET WHAT IS IMPORTANT
While 2011 had some great moments in it, I find it to be one of the most difficult years in my life. In March, my mother lost her battle with cancer. While my family rallied together those last nine weeks of her life, I still find myself feeling out of place at times.
The question I ask myself is "What is my purpose in life"? Sometimes I just don't know the answer to that question. I have the greatest friends that people can ask for. I have the greatest family that anyone would ever want. So what is my purpose?
The only thing I can think of is to ask God to guide me. I have been a Christian for a long time now. I can remember the day that my Pastor, brother Benny Garner gave the invitation to come and ask God to forgive me of my sins. I stepped out immediately and made my way down the aisle. Benny met me with a smile and we prayed together. From that day forward, I knew my life was forever changed. I was Baptized shortly after that.
God touched my heart that day and I have never let him out of my heart. I was in the 10th grade at the time and even though I was young, I knew that I would spend my eternity in heaven.
I want to thank Ken Pence for ministering to me. He is the reason God has blessed me with his grace. He shared his testimony to me that Sunday before in Sunday school and he led me to be saved.
I am not one of those people who can share their feelings. I do not like feeling weak and insecure about things. Like I said, God has blessed me with a wonderful family, the best friends, and a talent that let's me share my love of music.
I have been a musician for over 36 years now. God has given me the opportunity to share with thousands of people throughout my life. Some through my life as just a band member, some as soloist. I have had the honor of playing at weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter Celebrations, community events, Patriotic Celebrations, and last but not least, memorial events.
Three years ago, I was performing with the 8th Regiment Band in Gettysburg, PA. We were performing at the steps of the Pennsylvania monument. I was at the end of our concert and the sun was just about to go beyond the treeline. Now our concerts are usually very emotional. We like to let people feel the emotions of the period. That is what makes the 8th so special. Our concerts close with three songs that depic the emotions and feelings of what we have thought is the greatest "Epic" of American history.
We honor all of those men who died in this battle by playing "Eternal Father", "Strong to Save", (The Navy Hymn), "Nearer My God to Thee", and "The Lord's Prayer". I am the soloist for the The Lord's Prayer.
After we finished playing and began to pack up, this woman came up to me and thanked me for providing such beautiful music. I humbly responded with gratitude but she also told me she had not been right with God for a long time. Now I didn't need to know why but then what she told me made me smile and thank God for blessing me with the gift of music. She began to cry while holding my hand and she told me that while I was playing The Lord's Prayer, she began praying for the first time in many years. In that prayer, she ask God to forgive her for her sins.
As I stood there with her, I smiled and told her God was good and that he loved her. As she walked away, I sat down on the bench and thought about what had just happened. I thought about my question of what my purpose in life was. I thought about how wonderful God can be and how sometimes even a small gesture can mean so much.
I want to thank my family for loving me the way they do. I want my friends to know that I cherish our friendship and even though we don't see or talk to one another all the time, I think of them. You have all touched my life in one way or another. To my brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for all the blessings that you have given me. You have truly made my life complete. Lastly, to my mom and dad, I miss you oh so much. Thank you for believing in me and raising me to be the person I am today. I will see you again.
Love, Thomas Guy Beall.
.So many people knew Thomas Guy Beall. Whether it was from high school, JSU, work, Church, or just being family. He was well liked & loved by many.
I knew him from working with him at Walmart. He loved his job there in the vision center. He loved it even more during the holidays. He would bring his trumpet to work with him. Thru out the day he would walk the entire store playing Christmas music. Then at times he would have his music stand & sheets of music there in front of the vision center. Sitting all relaxed & letting the customers & coworkers enjoy the music. He played his heart out every time his touched that trumpet. I don't think he realized how much we did enjoy listening to him. He will forever be missed. His personality alone was amazing. He never met stranger. His smile was very Contagious. He fought a long tough battle these past 145 days. He gave it his all. As like he did playing that trumpet. He never gave no less in his musical career & work. Ours prayers go out to his family,friends & his current coworkers. We'll see you later Tommy as we will meet again. Until then play that trumpet there in Heaven. Rejoice with your family already there. Look upon your loved ones here on earth. Give them signs that you are good. Give them signs that will get them through each day. To his family I encourage you all to talk about Tommy every day. Keep his spirit & memories alive. He may be gone from your presence. But he will always remain in your Heart.
Christy Lewis
What else is there to say? How does a man I met as a freshman in high school become such a friend? Thomas Guy Beall was one of those guys that just pulled you in. He was such a joy to be around.
His love of music was just as contagious. He was excited about it and he got you excited about it! I was one of very few that had privilege of being one of his students, and the even greater privilege of being one of his drum majors. For this I am most proud.
Although my talent was never great, my love of music was! He nurtured that everyday I was around him. We loved to hear all the great "Southern" stories, and the exploits of he and little brother "Bill".
He loved those who helped him grow as a person and a musician. He loved his family and they loved him. Then of course Dr. Walters. He always made sure if Dr. Walters was around we got to speak to him. He treasured the relationship they maintained over all these years.
He was proud to have over the years to continue to be around his extremely extended "Southern" family. There is probably not a generation of "Southerners" since he graduated that didn't know him. He was always there at the alumni days playing with the band. That made him so happy to share his joy of music with a new crowd, and for those who never heard him play live you missed a treat! (But in this crowd that is few if any.)
Now, back to the original thought. In the brief thoughts above I think I answered that question. It was "LOVE". That's how's he became such a friend. His love showed in everything he did.
Now our friend Tommy rests in the love of our Heavenly Father. Free from pain and suffering, and he would want that for you. He would want you do not know the love of our Savior.
Today he is worshipping the Father as best as he can, likely trumpet in hand! And the angels are probably and proudly shouting "Blow Tommy" and "Blow Southerners"!
CHAD SLATON
As I'm sitting here in the pick up line at school.. I'm praying for the friends and family of a beautiful,talented amazing man who is gone too soon. I had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Guy Beall my senior year in high school. He was the trumpet line instructor for band camp that year.
I remember him as an extremely talented person with an incredible personality and a heart of gold. I also attended JSU and had the privilege of hearing him perform with the Southerners.. After losing touch, we reconnected with FB.
We were never really close but I have such an appreciation of him. Music was his life.. He touched so many with it.
Tommy you will be missed.
Rest in peace my friend. Kristi Hamilton Lindaman
When I read his testimony, I knew that he had a part in so many lives in every walk of life. As a teacher, pupil, mentor, friend, family-you could never have a better person that Thomas Guy Beall. What a legacy-with his faithful friend and companion "Carter". I love you Tommy and I will so miss you.So now we say "Goodnight Tommy, I'll meet you in the morning."
HOW WE ALL SOMETIMES FORGET WHAT IS IMPORTANT
While 2011 had some great moments in it, I find it to be one of the most difficult years in my life. In March, my mother lost her battle with cancer. While my family rallied together those last nine weeks of her life, I still find myself feeling out of place at times.
The question I ask myself is "What is my purpose in life"? Sometimes I just don't know the answer to that question. I have the greatest friends that people can ask for. I have the greatest family that anyone would ever want. So what is my purpose?
The only thing I can think of is to ask God to guide me. I have been a Christian for a long time now. I can remember the day that my Pastor, brother Benny Garner gave the invitation to come and ask God to forgive me of my sins. I stepped out immediately and made my way down the aisle. Benny met me with a smile and we prayed together. From that day forward, I knew my life was forever changed. I was Baptized shortly after that.
God touched my heart that day and I have never let him out of my heart. I was in the 10th grade at the time and even though I was young, I knew that I would spend my eternity in heaven.
I want to thank Ken Pence for ministering to me. He is the reason God has blessed me with his grace. He shared his testimony to me that Sunday before in Sunday school and he led me to be saved.
I am not one of those people who can share their feelings. I do not like feeling weak and insecure about things. Like I said, God has blessed me with a wonderful family, the best friends, and a talent that let's me share my love of music.
I have been a musician for over 36 years now. God has given me the opportunity to share with thousands of people throughout my life. Some through my life as just a band member, some as soloist. I have had the honor of playing at weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter Celebrations, community events, Patriotic Celebrations, and last but not least, memorial events.
Three years ago, I was performing with the 8th Regiment Band in Gettysburg, PA. We were performing at the steps of the Pennsylvania monument. I was at the end of our concert and the sun was just about to go beyond the treeline. Now our concerts are usually very emotional. We like to let people feel the emotions of the period. That is what makes the 8th so special. Our concerts close with three songs that depic the emotions and feelings of what we have thought is the greatest "Epic" of American history.
We honor all of those men who died in this battle by playing "Eternal Father", "Strong to Save", (The Navy Hymn), "Nearer My God to Thee", and "The Lord's Prayer". I am the soloist for the The Lord's Prayer.
After we finished playing and began to pack up, this woman came up to me and thanked me for providing such beautiful music. I humbly responded with gratitude but she also told me she had not been right with God for a long time. Now I didn't need to know why but then what she told me made me smile and thank God for blessing me with the gift of music. She began to cry while holding my hand and she told me that while I was playing The Lord's Prayer, she began praying for the first time in many years. In that prayer, she ask God to forgive her for her sins.
As I stood there with her, I smiled and told her God was good and that he loved her. As she walked away, I sat down on the bench and thought about what had just happened. I thought about my question of what my purpose in life was. I thought about how wonderful God can be and how sometimes even a small gesture can mean so much.
I want to thank my family for loving me the way they do. I want my friends to know that I cherish our friendship and even though we don't see or talk to one another all the time, I think of them. You have all touched my life in one way or another. To my brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for all the blessings that you have given me. You have truly made my life complete. Lastly, to my mom and dad, I miss you oh so much. Thank you for believing in me and raising me to be the person I am today. I will see you again.
Love, Thomas Guy Beall.
.So many people knew Thomas Guy Beall. Whether it was from high school, JSU, work, Church, or just being family. He was well liked & loved by many.
I knew him from working with him at Walmart. He loved his job there in the vision center. He loved it even more during the holidays. He would bring his trumpet to work with him. Thru out the day he would walk the entire store playing Christmas music. Then at times he would have his music stand & sheets of music there in front of the vision center. Sitting all relaxed & letting the customers & coworkers enjoy the music. He played his heart out every time his touched that trumpet. I don't think he realized how much we did enjoy listening to him. He will forever be missed. His personality alone was amazing. He never met stranger. His smile was very Contagious. He fought a long tough battle these past 145 days. He gave it his all. As like he did playing that trumpet. He never gave no less in his musical career & work. Ours prayers go out to his family,friends & his current coworkers. We'll see you later Tommy as we will meet again. Until then play that trumpet there in Heaven. Rejoice with your family already there. Look upon your loved ones here on earth. Give them signs that you are good. Give them signs that will get them through each day. To his family I encourage you all to talk about Tommy every day. Keep his spirit & memories alive. He may be gone from your presence. But he will always remain in your Heart.
Christy Lewis
What else is there to say? How does a man I met as a freshman in high school become such a friend? Thomas Guy Beall was one of those guys that just pulled you in. He was such a joy to be around.
His love of music was just as contagious. He was excited about it and he got you excited about it! I was one of very few that had privilege of being one of his students, and the even greater privilege of being one of his drum majors. For this I am most proud.
Although my talent was never great, my love of music was! He nurtured that everyday I was around him. We loved to hear all the great "Southern" stories, and the exploits of he and little brother "Bill".
He loved those who helped him grow as a person and a musician. He loved his family and they loved him. Then of course Dr. Walters. He always made sure if Dr. Walters was around we got to speak to him. He treasured the relationship they maintained over all these years.
He was proud to have over the years to continue to be around his extremely extended "Southern" family. There is probably not a generation of "Southerners" since he graduated that didn't know him. He was always there at the alumni days playing with the band. That made him so happy to share his joy of music with a new crowd, and for those who never heard him play live you missed a treat! (But in this crowd that is few if any.)
Now, back to the original thought. In the brief thoughts above I think I answered that question. It was "LOVE". That's how's he became such a friend. His love showed in everything he did.
Now our friend Tommy rests in the love of our Heavenly Father. Free from pain and suffering, and he would want that for you. He would want you do not know the love of our Savior.
Today he is worshipping the Father as best as he can, likely trumpet in hand! And the angels are probably and proudly shouting "Blow Tommy" and "Blow Southerners"!
CHAD SLATON
As I'm sitting here in the pick up line at school.. I'm praying for the friends and family of a beautiful,talented amazing man who is gone too soon. I had the pleasure of meeting Thomas Guy Beall my senior year in high school. He was the trumpet line instructor for band camp that year.
I remember him as an extremely talented person with an incredible personality and a heart of gold. I also attended JSU and had the privilege of hearing him perform with the Southerners.. After losing touch, we reconnected with FB.
We were never really close but I have such an appreciation of him. Music was his life.. He touched so many with it.
Tommy you will be missed.
Rest in peace my friend. Kristi Hamilton Lindaman
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