Introduction
Howdy, y'all! What's going on in your neck of the woods? Anything? Tell me about it! This is not a one-way conversational street. You are welcome to post comments. Don't let the cat get your tongue! Okay, that's just my glib Irish tongue. Readers are welcome, with or without comments. Views this month so far total 6,307, as of 3:36 PM today. The number continues to increase. Readers keep reading, and I keep writing.
Too many days have passed, since June 16. I need to talk with Granny Wood. You are welcome to listen to the conversation.
Conversation with Granny Wood
Hi, Granny! I'm sorry that I didn't talk with you, in writing, on your birthday on the 16th. I spoke to you verbally many times that day. I can only imagine what Papaw Wood, Mom, Dad, Uncle Bobby (Robert Allen Wood, 5/14/1939 - 1/18/1941), and so many others in the family, on both the Wood and Ferrell sides, are doing now. It must be great! I can see with my eyes of faith! I long to join you all, to see everyone, and to see what you are seeing now! I'm on my way, Granny! I'll get there one of these days!
Granny, do you remember the above photograph and writing your name and age on the back? The year was 1976. You were 75. I was 15, almost 16. Papaw (Aby William Wood, 9/4/1901 – 3/14/1983) was 74, almost 75. He liked to joke about having an “older woman,” by less than three months, as his wife! Mom (Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, 11/24/1932 - 12/28/2000) was 43. Dad (Earl H. Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) was 48.
Hey, Granny! I'm 60 now. I'll be 61 in less than a month! I'm getting up there! I always remember sitting in the beach chairs with you in the front yard, in Bean Station, Tennessee. We watched clouds, and I guessed the shape of the clouds. Some looked like mountains, birds, bears, and so forth. We had fun! You encouraged my imagination. I still have that! I loved spending a week in the summer with Papaw and you! I had educational fun, even if I didn't know that I was being educated at the time! I remember sitting beside Papaw and you at Calvary Baptist Church, in Morristown, Tennessee, on Sunday mornings. You always gave me clove chewing gum. Several years ago, I found a pack of the same gum. I have it stored in my chest of drawers! I remember enjoying hearing you sing and amen, under your breath, to the sermon. Papaw said every amen loudly.
Granny, my mind is filled with so many wonderful memories of birthdays, holidays, family reunions, and other types of gatherings! As a boy, who grew into a young man, all those gatherings deepened the roots of my godly family heritage! Thank you, Granny. I love you!
When you lived at the homeplace, after Papaw passed, I was so glad to see you during each visit! At Papaw's funeral visitation, I remember that you said, “He loved me so good.” As you know, after Papaw passed away, I finished college, married, and moved to Missouri. My wife and I came back to visit as often as we could.
After 8/12/1991, when you passed on to your heavenly home, I was honored to conduct your funeral and graveside services. I've visited the grave sites of Papaw and you many times, but not as often as I would like to. In part of my eulogy, I said, “Granny, your little Indian chief is coming home.” I explained the time, while staying with Papaw and you one summer week, that I had decided to “run off.” I was in my early school age years. I started walking off down the road. You watched and said, “Come back, my little Indian chief!” Well, I did. I don't know why I decided to “run off.” I was glad to return!
Conversation Conclusion
Granny, your “little Indian chief” will come Home! It may take a few years or decades. I'm getting there, step by step, by faith! By the way, Granny, did you know that I became a “bionic” man on 3/29/2016? Well, that's a story that I will share with Granny and Papaw Ferrell, Papaw Wood, Mom, Dad, you, and so many others, once I join you.
Your “little Indian chief” is signing off now. I enjoyed talking with you, Granny! I LOVE YOU! YOU WERE THE GREATEST GRANNY THAT I COULD HAVE EVER HAD!
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