Monday, November 3, 2025
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
Sunday, August 23, 2015
REMEMBERING KAREN LYNETTE JORDAN
It was the fall of 1962 with all the leaves turning colors of the rainbow in my small home town. My next door neighbor had a newborn that was a delight for me. A beautiful girl that I fell in love with and spent my time spoiling her. Karen Lynette Jordan came into the world on Aug. 23, 1962. Her dad drove a truck for Carolina Freight, so he spent a lot of time on the road. As her mom progressed in her pregnancy, I was designated to drive for the trip to the hospital. I hadn't been around before anyone was preparing for a baby so I didn't know how to react when Katherine called me and said she was ready. "Ready for what?" I said. "The baby, of course" was her answer. I flipped. I was more nervous than she was and just about forgot to call the truck terminal to let them know the situation so they could relay the message to Wendell.
As I walked up and down the halls of Floyd Hospital, I tried to remember all the things Katherine had told me to do in preparation. Call the school so someone could pick up her son, Tony. Call her mom in Dalton at work. Her mom (Ruby Dean) worked at Putnam Chenille, so it was about a 50 mile drive and would take her about an hour and a half to get to Rome. Call the dry cleaner to delay the delivery of her clothes for that day. Cancel the milk delivery for the next morning. Feed her cat. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck. Finally, a nurse came down the hall and told me that the baby was here, a girl, and said Katherine would be in her room in about an hour after recovery. But I could go to the nursery and view the baby.
The most beautiful baby that I had ever seen before was brought to the window. Black hair and blue eyes with chubby cheeks and a perfect little mouth. I was in love in that moment. It was a love that lasted forever. When she would look at me, my heart melted. I never knew such a miracle existed. Everyone was in love with this baby. She became such a delight for everyone. A few months later, I became a part of her family by marring her uncle, Marvin Burns.
By didn't get to see her very much after this time because I moved to Calhoun and she moved to Centre, Alabama. We had visits over the years and she would visit her grandmother for dinners and reunions. Such a beautiful woman that people would just stop to look at her. Her life was struck down suddenly on Feb. 19, 2002. So young to leave us broken hearted. Complications from a gall bladder surgery. She left behind a young son and mother as well as brothers and sisters. But her memories linger still. I still see her beautiful smile and her eyes, well they are indescribable. Her hair was a mahogany, falling beneath her shoulders.
As I sang at her going away party, I remembered all the times that I sung to her as a child and rocked her to sleep. Now she is being rocked by angels, sheltered in their loving arms. I still miss you, Karen. "Tadpole"
Thursday, June 25, 2015
DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT
Dan Emmet is best remembered today as one of the pioneers of the early Minstrel Shows with his compositions “The Blue Tail Fly”, “My Old Aunt Sally” and most notably, “Dixie”. His own company was instrumental in establishing many of the early minstrel routines and rituals, including the traditional costume of blue, swallow tailcoat, striped calico shirt, and the white pantaloons. A large group of minstrel show competitors were formed due to the great success of his shows.
Daniel Decatur Emmett was born on October 29, 1815 in Mount Vernon, Ohio and learned to play the violin, as a young boy. At the age of 15, he first performed his composition “Old Dan Tucker” during a Fourth of July celebration on the village green in Mount Vernon. He worked in his father's blacksmith shop and at 17 enlisted in the Army. He was discharged on July 8, 1835 after the Army learned he had falsified his age to enlist. He left home soon after to join the Spalding and Rogers circus as a drummer. It was with the circus that Emmett learned the technique of Negro impersonation and shortly thereafter, he got a job with the Thomas "Daddy" Rice minstrel troupe, in which he played the banjo, and also sang.
In 1842, Emmett formed his own Virginia Minstrels Troupe, making their debut in New York City's at the Bowery Amphitheater on February 6, 1843. In the year of 1844, "Old Dan Tucker" and "My Old Aunt Sally" were introduced in the Virginia Minstrels troupe. The troupe traveled to England meeting very little success and arrived back in the States, penniless. The troupe broke up and Emmett got a job with the Dan Bryant Minstrels. Emmett married Catherine Rives in 1853 in New York. The couple had no children and Catherine died in 1875. IN 1879, he would remarry Mary Louise Bird, a widow with two daughters.
Introduced by the Dan Bryant Minstrels in 1859 during a tour of the South, “Dixie” was written as a walk-around. Much to the chagrin of Emmett who was anything but a Southern sympathizer, the song became identified as a Southern anthem and was used as a campaign song against Abraham Lincoln’s run for President and was played by General Pickett during the Confederate charge at Gettysburg. After the South surrendered to the Union, President Lincoln had the song played by the White House band in an effort to support the reunification of the United States. Emmett never capitalized on the popularity of the song after selling all rights to the publisher for $500.00.
Other songs produced in the pre-Civil War era were "The Boatman's Dance," "Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel," "The Blue-Tail Fly" (a.k.a. “Jimmy Crack Corn") and “Dixie.”
In 1878, Emmett entered semi-retirement and moved back to his hometown of Mount Vernon. He became a chicken farmer and lived of a small pension from the Actors Fund. He occasionally appeared in guest stage appearances and at the age of 80, in 1895, he appeared with the Al G. Fields Minstrels to perform “Dixie”. The appearance was Emmett’s last tour.
Dan Emmett died on June 28, 1904 in Mount Vernon. In 1943, Paramount Pictures released a film biography of his life starring Bing Crosby, entitled Dixie. The Dan Emmett birthplace is an historic landmark located off South Main Street in Mount Vernon. Established in 1987, the Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival is held in Mount Vernon as a celebration of American music commemorating Dan Emmett.
List of songs:
BLUE TAIL FLY, THE
BOATMAN’S DANCE, THE
DIXIE
HIGH DADDY
Jimmie Crack Corn (see BLUE TAIL FLY, THE)
JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL
MY OLD AUNT SALLY
OLD DAN TUCKER
OLD ZIP COON
TURKEY IN THE STRAW
Dixie
by Daniel Decatur Emmett of Mount Vernon, Ohio
Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton,
Old times there are not forgotten, ( Alt Original: Cinnamon seed and sandy bottom,)
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.
In Dixie Land, where I was born in,
early on one frosty mornin',
Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land.
I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land I'll take my stand
to live and die in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie.
Away, away, away down south in Dixie
Optional Verses
Ole Missus marry "Will the weaver"
Willum was a gay deceiver
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
But when he put his arm around 'er,
He smiled fierce as a forty pounder,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaver
But that did not seem to grieve 'er
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
Ole Missus acted the foolish part
And died for a man that broke her heart
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
Now here's a health to the next ole Missus
An' all the gals that want to kiss us;
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
But if you want to drive 'way sorrow
Come and hear this song tomorrow
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
There's buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,
Makes you fat or a little fatter
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,
To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel,
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
from: SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
Early American
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
7 UNBIBLICAL STATEMENTS CHRISTIANS BELIEVE
:
We don’t often stop to consider the magnitude of what the Bible represents. It is literally God revealing Himself and communicating Himself to mankind in written word.
Orthodox Christianity teaches that the Bible was inspired and authored by the Holy Spirit of God using human instruments. And many Christians believe that—in its original languages of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic—it is without error and fault.
However, there are many things that Jesus-following, Church-going, Bible-believing Christians believe that are completely unbiblical. How does this happen? Often, we’ll hear someone quote a statement that sounds nice to us, and we’ll begin repeating it as though it’s biblical truth without ever researching it in Scripture.
Several of these unbiblical statements have gained enough traction that many people believe they’re actually Bible verses. Not only are the statements unbiblical; some of them teach the opposite of what the Bible teaches.
Here are some popular unbiblical statements that Bible-loving Christians tend to believe:
1. GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES:
This statement is actually anti-Gospel. Obviously God gave us gifts and talents that we’re supposed to use, but self-reliance and self-righteousness, or the attitude of trying harder and doing better actually gets in the way of the work of God.
2. GOD WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY:
3.WE'RE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN
Although God has created everyone, not everyone relationally belongs to Him. Only those who have repented of sin, placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and possess the Holy Spirit of God inside of them can claim Him as their Father:
“But you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15-16).
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ ... If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:26-29, emphasis mine in both verses).
4. CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS:
The people around you may appreciate you staying clean, but this is not Scripture. Parents may us this to motivate their kids to clean their rooms. However, I’d suggest using an actual biblical statement: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). (I can’t guarantee that will make your children want to clean up either, though).
5. GOD WON'T GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE:
Actually, all of life is more than we can handle. The point of living in a fallen world is not for us to try really hard to carry our heavy burden, but rather realize we can’t do it alone and surrender to God instead. That’s what faith is all about.
Everything is more than I can handle, but not more than Jesus can handle: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
6. BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE:
The sentiment of this makes sense, but if we follow it all the way through, the idea of a good person is very subjective. Often, we place ourselves in the judgment seat of what is good and bad, or who is good and bad.
The most popular way to make that judgment is by comparison. For example, Bob is a good guy, because he is not as bad as Sam. However, according to the Bible we’re all on equal ground because none of us is inherently good: “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one’” (Romans 3:10).
7. WHEN YOU DIE, GOD GAINS ANOTHER ANGEL:
Plain and simple. Humans are humans, and angels are angels. This remains so even in eternity. In fact, angels are intrigued by the interaction between God and His “image-bearing” humans: “It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12).
The fact that many Christians believe these unbiblical statements shows our unfortunate overall biblical illiteracy. Instead of swallowing popular statements hook-line-and-sinker, may we be like the Bereans in the Book of Acts. When they heard Paul preach, they wanted to research the Scriptures themselves to authenticate what he was saying: “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).
by SHANE PRUITT
We don’t often stop to consider the magnitude of what the Bible represents. It is literally God revealing Himself and communicating Himself to mankind in written word.
Orthodox Christianity teaches that the Bible was inspired and authored by the Holy Spirit of God using human instruments. And many Christians believe that—in its original languages of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic—it is without error and fault.
However, there are many things that Jesus-following, Church-going, Bible-believing Christians believe that are completely unbiblical. How does this happen? Often, we’ll hear someone quote a statement that sounds nice to us, and we’ll begin repeating it as though it’s biblical truth without ever researching it in Scripture.
Several of these unbiblical statements have gained enough traction that many people believe they’re actually Bible verses. Not only are the statements unbiblical; some of them teach the opposite of what the Bible teaches.
Here are some popular unbiblical statements that Bible-loving Christians tend to believe:
1. GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES:
This statement is actually anti-Gospel. Obviously God gave us gifts and talents that we’re supposed to use, but self-reliance and self-righteousness, or the attitude of trying harder and doing better actually gets in the way of the work of God.
In reality, Jesus saves those who die to themselves: “Then Jesus told His disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'” (Matthew 16:24).
2. GOD WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY:
It’s a common belief that God exists to be our “personal genie” waiting to give us our every wish. It’s amazing how we will justify our sinful actions by saying, “God just wants me to be happy.”
Happiness is tied to feelings and emotions that are often based on circumstances, and those change all the time. God wants us to be obedient to Him, trust Him and know that everything He does is for our good, even if it doesn’t make us feel “happy” in that moment.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
3.WE'RE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN
Although God has created everyone, not everyone relationally belongs to Him. Only those who have repented of sin, placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and possess the Holy Spirit of God inside of them can claim Him as their Father:
“But you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15-16).
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ ... If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:26-29, emphasis mine in both verses).
4. CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS:
The people around you may appreciate you staying clean, but this is not Scripture. Parents may us this to motivate their kids to clean their rooms. However, I’d suggest using an actual biblical statement: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). (I can’t guarantee that will make your children want to clean up either, though).
5. GOD WON'T GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE:
Actually, all of life is more than we can handle. The point of living in a fallen world is not for us to try really hard to carry our heavy burden, but rather realize we can’t do it alone and surrender to God instead. That’s what faith is all about.
Everything is more than I can handle, but not more than Jesus can handle: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
6. BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE:
The sentiment of this makes sense, but if we follow it all the way through, the idea of a good person is very subjective. Often, we place ourselves in the judgment seat of what is good and bad, or who is good and bad.
The most popular way to make that judgment is by comparison. For example, Bob is a good guy, because he is not as bad as Sam. However, according to the Bible we’re all on equal ground because none of us is inherently good: “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one’” (Romans 3:10).
7. WHEN YOU DIE, GOD GAINS ANOTHER ANGEL:
Plain and simple. Humans are humans, and angels are angels. This remains so even in eternity. In fact, angels are intrigued by the interaction between God and His “image-bearing” humans: “It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12).
The fact that many Christians believe these unbiblical statements shows our unfortunate overall biblical illiteracy. Instead of swallowing popular statements hook-line-and-sinker, may we be like the Bereans in the Book of Acts. When they heard Paul preach, they wanted to research the Scriptures themselves to authenticate what he was saying: “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).
by SHANE PRUITT
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Eula Irene Driver Gravitt memorial
Mrs. Eula Irene Driver Gravitt went to be with her heavenly Father on March 21, 2015. She was born on April 19, 1948 in Arley, Alabama. She was of Christian faith. She was the daughter of the late Artis Driver and Alma Horton Driver. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from West Point High School, Cullman, Alabama. She was a cosmetologist, nursing assistant and former Springs Carpet factory employee. She went Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Calhoun, Georgia and received a certificate for Customer Service and Business Administration. She loved being with family, friends and her church family. She loved the Atlanta Braves.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Spruell; brother in law, Bill McQuillin; nieces, Marcella Driver and Bonita Thompson Keith. She is survived by her husband Oscar; sisters Bonnie McQuillin and Thelma (Joel) Thompson of Vinemont, Alabama; brother, Lehman (Dorothy) of Orlando, Florida; nieces, Katrina (Duane) Ray, Cindy Driver of Orlando Florida, Debbie (Bill) Brumbeloe and Kathryn (Michael Holmes) of Cullman, Alabama; nephews, Russell (Gwen) McQuillin and Joey (Stephanie) Thompson of Cullman, Alabama, and Kevin Driver of Orlando, Florida. Numerous great nieces and nephews also survive. Step Children; Jeffery Gravitt of Tennessee, Laurie Cape of Dalton, Georgia and Becky Hughes of Trenton, Georgia.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 from noon until 2:00pm at Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home in Calhoun, Georgia. The funeral service will follow immediately at 2:00pm with Pastor Norris Sexton, Rev. Frank Bramblett, and Rev. Terry Timms officiating.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 11:00am at Friendship Methodist Church in Vinemont, Alabama with Joel Thompson officiating. Pallbearers serving include Joey Thompson, Eric Brumbeloe, Alex Brumbeloe, Jake McQuillin, Michael Holmes and Millard Mason. Honorary Pallbearers serving include Russelll McQuillin, Doug Rampley, Ken Moorehead, Kenneth Gravitt, Noah Holmes, and Michael Collins.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Diabetic Foundation or Barrett Road Church of God in Calhoun, Georgia.
I worked at Springs with Irene for many years. We inspected, stacked and tagged rugs before we went to work in the dye house. Irene and I were dye weighers for many years working for Jimmy McDearis (dec), Bobby Dixon (dec), Doug Rampley and others. We had good times and bad. We finally advanced to the front office and worked there until I retired. Irene remained for a time. She was always ready with a smile or a grin. Ready to help at any time. She and I crochet many projects even though she was left-handed, they were still beautiful and uniformally made to perfection. She and I found out that we were diabetics about the same time and had to start watching what we ate. I am glad that she married Oscar and was happy at the end of her life.
So long, Irene. You will be missed, my friend.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Esther Williams, my favorite actress, died this week (June 6, 2013) at the age of 91. She was born on August 8, 1921 to Louis Stanton Williams and Bula Myrtle Gilpin Williams in Utah. She was their fifth and youngest child. Her acting ability included swimming, which I fell in love with at the young age of 6. I had started taking swimming lessons that summer and saw one of her movies. I was smitten. I couldn't believe how someone could do all of those things in the water. It was like a ballet. Since I lived close to the Desota Theater in Rome, Georgia, I would walk to see every movie that starred her when it was in town. I even watched it twice when I could talk the usher into letting me stay longer. They even showed them at the drive-ins and I could talk my daddy into taking me again. I tried to copy everything that she did in the water. She made it look so easy, but I found out that it was harder that I ever thought. You have to practice and I mean alot of practice. I started doing extra chores around the house and even went throughout the neighborhood collecting Coca Cola bottles to return for deposit just so I would have enough money to go swimming everyday in the summer. My favorite pool was in Celanese. You could pay one price and swim for a long time. But I would have to have bus fare. The city pool costs a quarter and was open from 2-5 and from 7-9 at night. I could walk to this pool. It was about 6 blocks from my house. It wasn't as big as Celanese but it still had two diving boards. The day I was brave enough to climb the high dive, I thought I had accomplished my goal. Boy, was I fooled. I was so scared that I climbed back down the latter and stayed away from that board for two years.
When I got older, my swimming techniques improved but only for my benefit. I would watch other people swim and it would be choppy and they would slap the water. I didn't think this was swimming. It should be smooth and you just glide through the water like a fish. This is how I taught my children.I still watch Esther's movies when they are on T.V. They still take my breath away because of her style. Dancing in the water is the most beautiful thing on earth.
Esther was a National AAU champion in the 100 meter freestyle. She won 3 US National championships for breaststroke and freestyle. She learned the butterfly stroke which was considered for "male" only swimmers. She broke many records with this stroke. She had plans to enter the 1940 Summer Olympics but it was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
Friday, May 3, 2013
PICKLED GREEN TOMATOES AND A BLUE PIANO
Along about 1972, we lived close to Tolbert School in Resaca. Jimmy and Jeff Burns were in school but the other 3 were not , they stayed at home with me. Sandra Franks, Marvin's cousin, would visit quite often. She wasn't married and loved the kids. She came by our house as she didn't work and I think she was lonesome. She brought me some material and I made us some dresses to wear to church. She taught me more advanced crocheting and we made an afghan.
Now Marvin Burns had a cousin named Harlan Patton. Harlan bought a double wide trailer on the Cline Road. If anyone knows about trailers, you have probably guessed that a trailer floor will not hold much weight. Recently, he had lost his mother-in-law and inherited an old piano. This was the ugliest piano that I had ever seen. Someone had painted it "blue." Harlan was trying to sell the piano for $25.00 because he couldn't put it in his trailer and but needless to say, I didn't have any money. Now I wanted that piano and I wanted it bad. I tried everything to get that piano So here is what transpired. I traded him a can of pickled green tomatoes for the piano. Crazy huh..... Ruby's garden was gone except for a few tomatoes. It was nearly frost, so we gathered all the green tomatoes along with some hot peppers and preserved them. I had never eaten a green tomato from a jar until I tasted Ruby's. We had alot of the preserves in 1/2 gallon jars. Ruby did not waste anything. So because of the big families, canning was done in quarts and 1/2 gallons. No pints used except for jams and jellies.
Well anyway, Harlan wanted some green tomatoes so we traded plus I would have to sing for him when I could play again. I think I got the better end of the deal. I had taken piano lessons in my youth but I had forgotten just about everything. Sandra Franks brought me an old hymnal from her home. I found middle "c" and I knew that an old song called "There is a Fountain" was in the key of "c" with no sharps or flats. My aunt Lillian taught me the song when I was about 8 years old. F A C E are the names of the space notes for the treble and E G B D F are the line notes. Hey, I was getting the hang of it again. Now to learn the bass cleft. Sandra taught me about playing cords with the left hand. Hey, playing cords was alot easier than playing all the notes with your left hand. Now to get the timing right. 3/4 time and 6/8 time were the easiest. ONE two three, ONE two three- I could do this, but the song I was learning was in 4/4 time. one two three four- one two three four. Just had to keep practicing and practicing and practicing. Yip-eee I learned a song. I practiced it until I could play it from memory. Then on Sunday morning at church, Sandra's sister, Phyllis asked me to sing the song. So I sat down on the piano bench and froze. I couldn't remember a note much less sing. Finally, Phyllis said she would play for me. Then she told me not to look at the crowd but up at the ceiling. I held the book and looked at the ceiling and sang to God. How much simpler it became when I sang to the one the song was written for and all His majesty. He gave me strength and I never faltered again.
Sandra is no longer with us but I know she is singing to our Lord and Savior that she loved enough to share with me. I miss her.
What happened to the blue piano? That I could not tell-a short time later, we moved up close to my children's grandmother(Ruby) and into a trailer. The trailer floor would not hold the piano so we had to sell it. After that, I went to work and did not have much time to play.
Now Marvin Burns had a cousin named Harlan Patton. Harlan bought a double wide trailer on the Cline Road. If anyone knows about trailers, you have probably guessed that a trailer floor will not hold much weight. Recently, he had lost his mother-in-law and inherited an old piano. This was the ugliest piano that I had ever seen. Someone had painted it "blue." Harlan was trying to sell the piano for $25.00 because he couldn't put it in his trailer and but needless to say, I didn't have any money. Now I wanted that piano and I wanted it bad. I tried everything to get that piano So here is what transpired. I traded him a can of pickled green tomatoes for the piano. Crazy huh..... Ruby's garden was gone except for a few tomatoes. It was nearly frost, so we gathered all the green tomatoes along with some hot peppers and preserved them. I had never eaten a green tomato from a jar until I tasted Ruby's. We had alot of the preserves in 1/2 gallon jars. Ruby did not waste anything. So because of the big families, canning was done in quarts and 1/2 gallons. No pints used except for jams and jellies.
Well anyway, Harlan wanted some green tomatoes so we traded plus I would have to sing for him when I could play again. I think I got the better end of the deal. I had taken piano lessons in my youth but I had forgotten just about everything. Sandra Franks brought me an old hymnal from her home. I found middle "c" and I knew that an old song called "There is a Fountain" was in the key of "c" with no sharps or flats. My aunt Lillian taught me the song when I was about 8 years old. F A C E are the names of the space notes for the treble and E G B D F are the line notes. Hey, I was getting the hang of it again. Now to learn the bass cleft. Sandra taught me about playing cords with the left hand. Hey, playing cords was alot easier than playing all the notes with your left hand. Now to get the timing right. 3/4 time and 6/8 time were the easiest. ONE two three, ONE two three- I could do this, but the song I was learning was in 4/4 time. one two three four- one two three four. Just had to keep practicing and practicing and practicing. Yip-eee I learned a song. I practiced it until I could play it from memory. Then on Sunday morning at church, Sandra's sister, Phyllis asked me to sing the song. So I sat down on the piano bench and froze. I couldn't remember a note much less sing. Finally, Phyllis said she would play for me. Then she told me not to look at the crowd but up at the ceiling. I held the book and looked at the ceiling and sang to God. How much simpler it became when I sang to the one the song was written for and all His majesty. He gave me strength and I never faltered again.
Sandra is no longer with us but I know she is singing to our Lord and Savior that she loved enough to share with me. I miss her.
What happened to the blue piano? That I could not tell-a short time later, we moved up close to my children's grandmother(Ruby) and into a trailer. The trailer floor would not hold the piano so we had to sell it. After that, I went to work and did not have much time to play.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Lost Honey
When Jeff was a baby, in 1966, Marvin and I lived across the road from the "Dean's Trading Post" on 41 Highway. Esco Dean, Marvin's step dad, had rented an old house to store his furniture that he bought at auction sales. This was the old home place called the Tom B. David house. It was a five room house with a bath. Marvin and I used the living room, bedroom and kitchen and the other two rooms contained furniture. The thing that I loved most about the house was the big front porch. Just off the living room was a smaller area that used to be a pantry. I used this for the baby bed since it had access from the bedroom. The kitchen did not have built in cabinets so we had one of the older cabinets that contained a flour container with a sifter on the bottom of the box. I don't remember what they called it but there was a roll door in the middle with 2 doors above. It had 2 doors on the bottom where we stored pots and pans. There was no double sink here just a single one. I learned very quickly that dishpans come in handy.
It was getting further into Spring and every night when we went to bed, we heard a buzz saw. Buzzz-Buzzz- This noise kept us awake for many weeks. We could not figure out where it was coming from so I asked the next door neighbor, Ann Hall, if she could hear it. Her bedroom was on the other end of the house so it didn't bother her or her girls. Ruby couldn't hear it either as it was too far away. No one could hear it but us. I finally walked around the yard one day and I heard something coming from inside the house. As I looked closer, their was a small hole in the side of the house just beneath a window sash. I noticed a few bees crawling around and then a couple disappeared. Now I am deathly afraid of bees of any kind. I didn't know if they were wasps or hornets or whatever. All I knew was that they had stingers. So I went back in the house and stayed away from that area. When Ruby came in from work, I told her about the bees in the side of the house. She called her brother, Claude, to come down and check it out. He told us that they were honey bees and he would come by on Saturday and salvage the honey. I had never seen this happen. I was raised in the city. I knew that people kept boxes for hives of bees, I just never expected any hives to be in a house.
On Saturday, Claude drove to our house and got out with some things that looked like some kind of costume. The hat had net hanging down to his shoulders and he wore gloves as well as an extra thick shirt. He had something similar to a lantern that he lit and all of a sudden, smoke came out the end if it. He sprayed smoke all up and down the side of the house. Then he took a crow bar and removed a board from under the window. I never saw so many bees flying around. I high tailed it away from that area and made a bee line for the house. I decided that looking through the window was close enough for me. By the time I got in the house, he had removed the comb with a shovel. It was covered with honey. He hurried and filled up about 3 five-gallon buckets with the comb and honey. He then brought it in the house to be put in jars. I don't remember how much honey we put in pint fruit jars, but we had honey for the next two winters. It had the taste of rose blossoms. Ruby told me later that it was because of the rose bushes in the yard. This city girl learned a valuable lesson that Spring. You don't always go to the store for food.
I still don't know how Claude removed those bees to his house but by the next summer, he was still harvesting honey for all the family. H built some boxes for the bees and I think he finally had 5 boxes as the swarm kept growing. I still try to get honey that comes from Gordon County. I just don't think I have found any that tastes as good as that honey from the old Tom B. David house.
It was getting further into Spring and every night when we went to bed, we heard a buzz saw. Buzzz-Buzzz- This noise kept us awake for many weeks. We could not figure out where it was coming from so I asked the next door neighbor, Ann Hall, if she could hear it. Her bedroom was on the other end of the house so it didn't bother her or her girls. Ruby couldn't hear it either as it was too far away. No one could hear it but us. I finally walked around the yard one day and I heard something coming from inside the house. As I looked closer, their was a small hole in the side of the house just beneath a window sash. I noticed a few bees crawling around and then a couple disappeared. Now I am deathly afraid of bees of any kind. I didn't know if they were wasps or hornets or whatever. All I knew was that they had stingers. So I went back in the house and stayed away from that area. When Ruby came in from work, I told her about the bees in the side of the house. She called her brother, Claude, to come down and check it out. He told us that they were honey bees and he would come by on Saturday and salvage the honey. I had never seen this happen. I was raised in the city. I knew that people kept boxes for hives of bees, I just never expected any hives to be in a house.
On Saturday, Claude drove to our house and got out with some things that looked like some kind of costume. The hat had net hanging down to his shoulders and he wore gloves as well as an extra thick shirt. He had something similar to a lantern that he lit and all of a sudden, smoke came out the end if it. He sprayed smoke all up and down the side of the house. Then he took a crow bar and removed a board from under the window. I never saw so many bees flying around. I high tailed it away from that area and made a bee line for the house. I decided that looking through the window was close enough for me. By the time I got in the house, he had removed the comb with a shovel. It was covered with honey. He hurried and filled up about 3 five-gallon buckets with the comb and honey. He then brought it in the house to be put in jars. I don't remember how much honey we put in pint fruit jars, but we had honey for the next two winters. It had the taste of rose blossoms. Ruby told me later that it was because of the rose bushes in the yard. This city girl learned a valuable lesson that Spring. You don't always go to the store for food.
I still don't know how Claude removed those bees to his house but by the next summer, he was still harvesting honey for all the family. H built some boxes for the bees and I think he finally had 5 boxes as the swarm kept growing. I still try to get honey that comes from Gordon County. I just don't think I have found any that tastes as good as that honey from the old Tom B. David house.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Mystery of Judge Josiah Beall's wife
I have been searching for the wife of Josiah Beall (1715-1768) to no avail. With so many people with the same name, it is hard to match everyone up. Their is a Josiah Beall (1725-1808)
(of John, of James, of Alex 1625). who married Millicent Bradley (daughter of Robert Bradley) but it is not through my line.These two Josiah's were born 10 years apart. Judge Josiah Beall had a brother named Col. Samuel Beall and his daughter (Amelia Beall) married Thaddeus.
Thaddeus Beall 1741 - 1808 was son of Josiah (of John, of Alexander 1644)Beall.
According to the will of Judge Josiah Beall, Thaddeus Beall was the said administrator. An inventory and appraisal of the "Goods and Chattel's" of Josiah Beall was made on December 1, 1768 and recorded in Sept. 1769. This inventory details hundreds of items of personal property along with a list of seven slaves. These items were left to the seven children of Josiah.
None of the documents give any clue to the identity of Josiah's wife with the possible exception of the monogram "IMB." appearing on 1/2 dozen old teaspoons. "Engraving authorities identify the "I" as an early day capitol "J". This could have been for Josiah Magruder Beall or it could have been her initials after marriage. Either way, in those days, the women had things like silverware,dishes, and stemware monogramed along with sheets, pillowcases and napkins. Why it was done this way, I don't know.
In all my searching, I have not found any documents stating who was the mother of Thaddeus. There is one clue in that he (Thaddeus) named a daughter Maezah. Most of the children were named for previous family members. First daughter after father's grandmother, second daughter after mother's grandmother, third daughter after father's mother and so on down the line. The third daughter is Maezah Beall who married Thomas Dent. This name has not shown up in the family before this time. Each generation after has a daughter named Maezah/Mazie/Maxa. I would like some opinion's on this theory. How can I found out for sure- what is the name of the wife of Judge Josiah Beall?
(of John, of James, of Alex 1625). who married Millicent Bradley (daughter of Robert Bradley) but it is not through my line.These two Josiah's were born 10 years apart. Judge Josiah Beall had a brother named Col. Samuel Beall and his daughter (Amelia Beall) married Thaddeus.
Thaddeus Beall 1741 - 1808 was son of Josiah (of John, of Alexander 1644)Beall.
According to the will of Judge Josiah Beall, Thaddeus Beall was the said administrator. An inventory and appraisal of the "Goods and Chattel's" of Josiah Beall was made on December 1, 1768 and recorded in Sept. 1769. This inventory details hundreds of items of personal property along with a list of seven slaves. These items were left to the seven children of Josiah.
None of the documents give any clue to the identity of Josiah's wife with the possible exception of the monogram "IMB." appearing on 1/2 dozen old teaspoons. "Engraving authorities identify the "I" as an early day capitol "J". This could have been for Josiah Magruder Beall or it could have been her initials after marriage. Either way, in those days, the women had things like silverware,dishes, and stemware monogramed along with sheets, pillowcases and napkins. Why it was done this way, I don't know.
In all my searching, I have not found any documents stating who was the mother of Thaddeus. There is one clue in that he (Thaddeus) named a daughter Maezah. Most of the children were named for previous family members. First daughter after father's grandmother, second daughter after mother's grandmother, third daughter after father's mother and so on down the line. The third daughter is Maezah Beall who married Thomas Dent. This name has not shown up in the family before this time. Each generation after has a daughter named Maezah/Mazie/Maxa. I would like some opinion's on this theory. How can I found out for sure- what is the name of the wife of Judge Josiah Beall?
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
SANCTITY OF LIFE STORY
I read a story on facebook today by my niece about her children. I hope she doesn't mind that I copy it to my blog for I want alot of people to read it. So many people get in a situation and make the wrong decision about their lives. Young girls need to realize that children are a gift from GOD and not to be destroyed. They have a purpose in this world. GOD doesn't make mistakes and each and every one who survives birth will go on to be a blessing to the Lord.
I wish there was some way to let the young people know how to head in the right direction. I know that going to church helps but all parents don't go to church and don't care if the children go. We can't teach them in school anymore about GOD. When I was growing up, we had a pledge of alligence to the flag and then a morning devotional. Then we had a prayer. Why can't people understand that we need GOD in our lives. If we go back to the constitution, and learn about the people who wrote it, then we see that religion was worshiping GOD. Our country was based on God, and not religion. We came to this country to worship God. God was in the old countries and each one worshiped a different way. We were almost ordered how to worship GOD and this country is getting back to that same concept of telling us who we can worship or who is not allowed. I don't understand how people can misconstrue that religion is not God. Sometimes I think that the constitution should have been worded a little different. GOD should be in it. Unfortunately, there was only a reference to GOD by using the word, "religion". Where would this county be if GOD hadn't shown the people how to establish it. Lets get back to GOD.
The following is the story by Kimberley Dudley Harrison,(my niece). I am so glad of her choices in life and I hope other girls follow her examples.
"In January 2000 I was a 17 year-old senior, just beginning my final semester of high school. I was shocked and saddened to learn that I was pregnant. Pregnant? Me? I had already been accepted to the University of West Georgia the month before, and was in the process of filling out the paper work to begin classes that Fall. Everything had changed. All of my well-laid plans were gone. As me, Joe, and my family dealt with this unexpected hurdle, we began to sort out all of the "what next" questions? Though I knew 100% what I had to do, and WANTED to do, I was not at all surprised when, at my first doctor's appointment, I was asked the question: "Do you want to continue the pregnancy?" Of course I did, but I wasn't at all surprised at the question. I was 17 and unmarried. I knew I had to own up to my responsibilities, but even at such a young age I couldn't help but think about how many girls before me and how many after me would have said no thanks. With a swift decision, my college dreams could continue, life could "go on" , and my well-laid plans could still play out. The "blob", or "mass of tissue", as so many believe, could disappear, just like that! BUT, HIS mercy is unfailing! It SURE wasn't easy, but with love and support from our friends and family, Joe and I had our baby boy nine months later. My handsome Joseph Alexander. Countless people sacrificed as Joe worked and I went to school to earn my degree. Our path took a detour, but ALL things work together for the good of those who Love Him.
Fast forward 4 years and 3 months...
So, yes, I will tell you LOUDLY and without hesitation that I am 100% pro-life! My life hasn't been easy, and it hasn't been all that I imagined it to be. It has been more. My children were NEVER blobs or tissue, they are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made! They have a story to tell. There is a plan for their lives. I am humbled to be their mom. I certainly don't deserve them, but I so thankful that God's ways are better than mine, even when he takes me on a detour!
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
I wish there was some way to let the young people know how to head in the right direction. I know that going to church helps but all parents don't go to church and don't care if the children go. We can't teach them in school anymore about GOD. When I was growing up, we had a pledge of alligence to the flag and then a morning devotional. Then we had a prayer. Why can't people understand that we need GOD in our lives. If we go back to the constitution, and learn about the people who wrote it, then we see that religion was worshiping GOD. Our country was based on God, and not religion. We came to this country to worship God. God was in the old countries and each one worshiped a different way. We were almost ordered how to worship GOD and this country is getting back to that same concept of telling us who we can worship or who is not allowed. I don't understand how people can misconstrue that religion is not God. Sometimes I think that the constitution should have been worded a little different. GOD should be in it. Unfortunately, there was only a reference to GOD by using the word, "religion". Where would this county be if GOD hadn't shown the people how to establish it. Lets get back to GOD.
The following is the story by Kimberley Dudley Harrison,(my niece). I am so glad of her choices in life and I hope other girls follow her examples.
"In January 2000 I was a 17 year-old senior, just beginning my final semester of high school. I was shocked and saddened to learn that I was pregnant. Pregnant? Me? I had already been accepted to the University of West Georgia the month before, and was in the process of filling out the paper work to begin classes that Fall. Everything had changed. All of my well-laid plans were gone. As me, Joe, and my family dealt with this unexpected hurdle, we began to sort out all of the "what next" questions? Though I knew 100% what I had to do, and WANTED to do, I was not at all surprised when, at my first doctor's appointment, I was asked the question: "Do you want to continue the pregnancy?" Of course I did, but I wasn't at all surprised at the question. I was 17 and unmarried. I knew I had to own up to my responsibilities, but even at such a young age I couldn't help but think about how many girls before me and how many after me would have said no thanks. With a swift decision, my college dreams could continue, life could "go on" , and my well-laid plans could still play out. The "blob", or "mass of tissue", as so many believe, could disappear, just like that! BUT, HIS mercy is unfailing! It SURE wasn't easy, but with love and support from our friends and family, Joe and I had our baby boy nine months later. My handsome Joseph Alexander. Countless people sacrificed as Joe worked and I went to school to earn my degree. Our path took a detour, but ALL things work together for the good of those who Love Him.
Fast forward 4 years and 3 months...
So, yes, I will tell you LOUDLY and without hesitation that I am 100% pro-life! My life hasn't been easy, and it hasn't been all that I imagined it to be. It has been more. My children were NEVER blobs or tissue, they are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made! They have a story to tell. There is a plan for their lives. I am humbled to be their mom. I certainly don't deserve them, but I so thankful that God's ways are better than mine, even when he takes me on a detour!
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
ADVICE TO A YOUNG LADY
"ADVICE TO A YOUNG LADY"
More than sixty years ago, one of the young ladies of our city paid a visit to relatives in Franklin, Ga. Upon returning home, she left at the home of the late Col. John B. Beall, her shaw, a little sacque, and a peleasse. In sending the packages containing these articles to her, Col. Beall added a letter. This was recently found and the philosophy of it, as well as its quaints as, is such as to make it of lateral to others. The recipient of the letter has kept it since before her marriage sixty-two years ago, and now presents it for publication. It is as follows:
Franklin, Ga, Aug. 22, 1872.
Dear Rhoda:
Enclosed find a sack to cover your stays, A shawl for your back, and a fine peleasse.
I'm so stupid today, that is looking around, For somewhat to say, only this I have found,
And your pardon I ask: Will you give it to me? For the self-given task, and the bold simile!
Last year will be a stay, that shall fasten and bind Any impulse of temper disposing your mind
To words, bitter words, to conseration sad strife Which mar all the beauty, the glory of life.
A loved one constrained by the ties of the world The ceaseless turmoil and versital whirl.
Some unkind expression may chance to let fall Some seeming reproof, that stir up your gall
And the impulse will start--let the stay bind it down Not a word of retore! not even a frown.
But to bring him to sorrow in sackcloth and ashes Let a crystal-like tear deck your dark silken lashes
Let the sack be the smile that shall ever impart A veil for the wound that may probe to the heart
And the effort of will that it hides shall control The bitter resentment that springs in the soul
Until anger, forgetting expressions shall prove That the magic of smiles may convert it to Love.
And the grateful flow of the la polonalse Let it figure the graves, the charm I will say
Of the milad, of the heart, the charm that shall ever via The eye of affection and keep from sin.
A mantle of charity to hide in the breast The faults that are seen in the wall of the best
A cloak of discroties, to hide from mankind, From the sharp ear of Rumor, the blade like the wind
Of the desert, those things that are marred to home And the breast of affection, wherever we roam.
And the shawl, it is love that warms the whole life and skate out the world, with contention and strife;
Shouts out the cold winds of fear and distrust, Of suspicion whose breath will cover like a rust;
Keeps the oval warm with a spirit-like fire While it builds open hope, rising higher and higher,
Till faith gives it wings, and upward it flies, Cuts loose from its armor and rests in the skies.
Dear cousin, farewell, when my head is laid low And my time shall have come to depart
May you feel that the humor larglous my pea It is warmed by a loving heart.
Your affectionate,
John Bramblett Beall
To Miss Rhoda Frances Merrell, later Mrs. William Beall
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