Our Weekend in TN

This past weekend, we went to East Tennessee to my brother and sister-in-law's place in the country. They purchased the land years ago and plan to build a home there soon. Right now they stay in their camper parked under a pole barn. That keeps the midday sun off and allows them to stay much cooler. She has planted flowers, and decorated the trees making it their home even though they don't have a permanent house yet.

The day we were there the temperature was in the eighty's but with the breeze and being under the shed allowed us to feel very comfortable. There is a lovely creek that flows through their property and there is a fishing hole around the bend. The children and some of the adults took time to wade in the creek in the heat of the afternoon.

Coming from metro Atlanta the quiet of the place was very soothing to my spirit. If we weren't about to be grandparents in a few months we might consider moving to the mountains ourselves. It was so very peaceful without the traffic and urban noises we live with every day at home.


But we have our obligations at home. I have a full time job and we love our church so there are many reasons to stay put. ...but when we are in the mountains, my spirit does seem to want to stay. Perhaps some day we will do just that.

Father's Day

This is the first year we are both without our dads. In the last years of their lives they both lost the ability to recognize family members. Strangely enough that didn't make their passing any easier. It was almost like loosing them twice.

I do know they both loved their families. They loved their children but their grandchildren were their pride and joy. My dad would rather spend Friday nights at home playing with the grandkids than anything else I can think of. Our son and his cousins spent every Friday night at Mom and Dad's house. They "made movies," they played games and most importantly, made memories that will be with them a lifetime. Ask any one of them about those Friday's and they will smile and tell you a memory to go with that smile.

I remember the day our son was born and my father-in-law came to the hospital wearing a three piece suite and a hat. I asked him why he was so dressed up. He said "I want to look good the first time my new grandson sees me." That was so like him. He grew up poor and always wanted to look his best. I can never remember him any other way.

They had four grand daughters when our son, the only grand son, was born. He was so very thrilled and was always close to Aaron. When Aaron announced he had been called to be a pastor, Mack asked him to come over for an afternoon and they had a very deep discussion about spiritual matters. Mack was always supportive and proud of his family.


Fathers are special. If your dad is still alive be sure to tell him you love him, and not just on Father's Day. Make it an everyday thing.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads.

Later,
D