Weekend at Armuchee

Wow, the "road trip" was fun. Our pup, Trixie, did very well and was a hit with lots of folks. This was her first over night trip and we were very pleased with how she acted. Not too many problems at all.


The other great thing that happened this weekend was our son and his wife were able to come up for a while on Friday. It was so good to see them and to be able to share their news about being pregnant and the fact that we will have a little grand child in just a few months. It was very nice just to be able to visit and relax together.

(This picture wasn't taken this weekend. I didn't use my digital camera for their pictures and I haven't gotten them developed yet.)

We were also able to spend time with our dear friends Mark and Candy. We live in different towns and aren't able to see each other as much as we'd like,and being with them this weekend was wonderful. Back in the 80s and 90s we played music together. But eventually, you have to make a choice and family and children must come first, so we stopped playing on a regular basis. It makes our visits and the times when we do get together so very special.


We are so close to them that our son called them aunt and uncle. In fact John's niece thought Mark was my brother until a couple of years ago.

Friday night John and I along with Carl and Buzzy were scheduled to play at the Armuchee Bluegrass Festival. We were thrilled when two songs into the set, Mark and Candy walked on stage. I find it amazing that we can still hit the harmonies even without rehearsing.

We did have a scare early Saturday morning. Their 17 year old son was working with a crew to clean up downed trees and limbs from the recent storms. They received a call that he had cut his leg with a chainsaw. Of course Candy was ready to head to the hospital but he promised it was a small cut and may not even need stitches. He was only calling to get insurance information. So she waited about leaving the festival with his promise to call her as soon as he spoke to the doctor. It turns out he needed 21 stitches. Not quite a "scratch" but fortunately he is fine.

This weekend was a much needed time away, and so fulfilling to be able to spend time with family and dear friends. John and I both are exhausted after the trip but we both had wonderful time.

Remembrance

This weekend we went to the 26th Memorial Day, Armuchee Bluegrass Festival. Being Memorial Day and a time for remembrance, it brought to mind many friends we have met and the ones we have lost over the years.

But this year we have the pleasure to spend time with some wonderful friends that are like second parents to us. We played music with them for many years but they moved back to Kentucky to be close to their family and grandchildren and we only see them a couple times a year now. They inspire me. He is 85 and she is 81 and drove six hours from Kentucky to Armuchee. They still play music every day and he can still fiddle all those wonderful fiddle tunes I remember so well. They have had health problems, and faced the loss of their beloved daughter much to early. Yet they continue on. They face their pain and acknowledge it but do not let it define them. They have a wonderful family back in Kentucky and revel in their lives and shared the joy they have in the wonderful things happening with grandchildren and great grandchildren. I long to emulate them and live life to the fullest.

They are quick to point out that relying on God to provide their strength and get them through the valleys of life. It was wonderful to see them and to share the weekend with them. They were sad when they left but assured us they would be back in September for the Labor Day festival.

A precious memory I will treasure for a very long time, was when Carl met a man wearing a gold chain with an image of Christ. Carl walked up and said "I see we have a mutual friend." Then he proceeded to explain he loves Christ and depends on Him to make it through each day. At 85 years old he is full of life and wants to make sure others knows the Saviour he loves. What's my
excuse for not doing the same?