People I Love
This isn’t what you think it’s about.
Anytime a family member is asked about their love, it always involves the three F’s in order: Faith, Family and Friends. That doesn’t truly tell each of us your TRUE loves, without naming a name.
For example, how is it possible to not love and honor Mother Teresa when you read about all her visits with individuals who were afflicted: the down and out, the homeless and those under the trap of drugs and alcohol? We all plead guilty when it comes to our volunteer work for those we had never met before. The solution is to stare at the ground or our scuffed-up shoes and boots.
This isn’t a reality check to make us all feel guilty but a short essay to illustrate our shortcomings.
Parents and grandparents have changed through the years. In OUR day, if the teacher or coach said you were guilty; you WERE guilty. There were no rebuttals or do-overs. Bend over and take your hickory tea. It was amazing the osmosis message that happened when your assets were exposed to the entire world. It wasn’t the punishment; it was the threat that the discipline was still being hidden in the cloak room.
Let me share with you some of the “serious” violations. How about: skipping steps while walking to the lunchroom. Or lying to Mr. Mayes in the seventh grade about finishing your homework. As he called roll, you responded with an answer about your homework.
Can you imagine that today? “Rick, did you complete your homework for today? Yes or no.” To this day, one of my closest female friends would answer: “Yes sir; then mumble something about not finishing ALL of it.” I feared going to prison IF I had ever spilled the beans.
This takes me back to my original comment about “People I Love.” This isn’t entirely about specific people but about individuals, generically speaking.
In other words, how can you not love people who volunteer their time and money to raise funds every year for St. Jude’s Children Hospital in Memphis? The volunteers work behind the scenes to make things happen. Almost every weekend, these volunteers work at Gardiner’s Farm on Underwood Mountain to have everything in place for the third weekend in July for the trail ride, auction and concerts. I can’t wait. I love those people.
I love people who have a sincere passion. It might be woodworking like Doug Gray or painting by his beautiful wife, Julia. Jimmy Isbell’s homemade planters or his wife, Sheila’s cooking that will be served at the next Lord’s Supper.
My closest childhood friend, Roland Gargis and his auctioneering skills and Pam’s passion for volunteering. It goes without saying that Dr. Jimmy Gardiner and his wife Nan, open their farm every July when they could easily be doing something less time-consuming.
Doug and Dianne Johnson; David and Julie Gargis; Sammy and Selina Ford; Harold and Deb Kimbrough; Roger and Jan Gargis; Roger and Debbie Bradford; Paul Jeffreys and Renea McDonald; Mike and Connie Spiller; John Schussler; Andy and Patsy Riley; Mark and Deb Chamblee; David and Susie Corsby; Bob and Susan Tanner; Ralph Finch and Jackie Hood; Melvin Smith; Stanley Davis and all 3 of Jimmy King’s daughters: Ann, Allison and Sally; Ed and Melody Cross; Brenda McCormack; Debra Simmons; Nathan Johnson; Sue Johnson; Jonathan Underwood; Karen King; Worth and Charlie King; all come to mind as having a passion for raising money for St. Judes.
I love people who find the good in others and overlook the negatives. Here are a few: Andy and Anne Bolding; Ikey and Anah Fowler: Lee and Casey Fowler: Clay and Heather Fowler; Ronda Hood; Derrick and Lisa Gargis; Hope Stamps; Ken and Freida Johnson: Leland and Kristin Wood; Mike Underwood; Joe Keenum; the Ashmore girls; Redus and Jan Moran; my Lichty cousins and Hancock cousins; and my boys and bonus daughters. In other words, my entire family.
It would be impossible to overlook my Destin family that I love dearly: Ronnie and Cindy: Jerry and Tammy; Roger and Judy; Greg and Velda: Jim Clark; Teresa Colvin: Rusty and Colleen: Steve and Sherry; Clark and Tammy; Gail and Jamey; Hank and Donna; Al and Kim; Jimmy and Sherry; David and Terri; and all the musicians who are overworked and under paid.
I love people who give to the needy without asking anything in return. Foster parents who love unconditionally. Hospice nurses and volunteer coaches. Teachers at all levels realize it’s a calling more than a job. Blood drive volunteers and first responders who rush into danger while others go the other way. The very few politicians who are in it for the right reasons.
Preachers, choir directors, missionaries, Sunday School teachers and military members who have more courage in their little finger than we have in our entire body. Grandmothers raising and loving kids without judgement. Addicts fighting through their demons.
When you start thinking about people you love, it’s amazing how long the list becomes. There is always a fear that someone’s name is left out. If this happens, my apologies.
Just know I love you too.