Guns & Guitars

I always knew that one day I would sit down and write a story about my dad. Seems fitting that it would be this evening.....The night before Thanksgiving.  I think Thanksgiving was one of my dad's
favorite holidays. I can remember so many evenings when I was growing up, evenings just  like this one, when the kitchen was warm and full of  delicious aromas as the adults began their baking and basting for the next day's celebration.


 My family had very humble beginnings, you can read that as "poor", it won't hurt my feelings. We were money poor, but rich in the important things.  We didn't have a lot of luxuries, but we had everything we needed.  My dad had the heart of a servant and he was generous with his affection and his time.


Each year, as an act of love, my dad would prepare the Thanksgiving meal.
Oh, I know  he had help with some of the details of the meal, but the bulk of it was prepared by his own hands. He would spend the evening browning sausage, celery and onions. He would prepare the bird with such care, then slow cook it all night. I would hear him get up a few times in the night to check on it, then I'd wake up the next morning to the most amazing smells coming from the kitchen. It smelled like love to me.  My dad worked long hard hours at a plant. He got very few days off, and even as a young child, I understood the sacrifice he was making to be on his feet all evening just to make something special for us.

My dad adored his family and he loved God. He loved church  and playing on the worship team.
Most of our extended family were musically  gifted and I have fond memories of gospel jam sessions following our holiday get togethers. When the food was done and everything was cleaned up and put away, my aunts and uncles would pull their instruments out of their trunks and we would hang out at grandma Pearl and grandpa Roy's house playing gospel music for hours.


It's no wonder Thanksgiving was one of my dad's favorite holidays.  Seems fitting that it was the last holiday we got to spend together as a family before God called him home all those years ago. Sitting here in my kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee (like dad would be doing), preparing for tomorrow's family gathering,.... My heart is full and   I'm thankful.

I'm thankful that my five kids and their loves and families live close enough that we all get to be together tomorrow. I'm thankful for large families, generational blessings and a loving Father.
I'm thankful for our first Grand baby this year.... He is named after you, dad.  Thanks for the love, the lessons, the legacy.


   Till we meet again Pop, I'm always gonna be your girl.