Visitatation

Tonight was visitation for my Papaw, and I will say that it took an act of congress to get us packed, dressed and in the car.  Oh boy, am going to have to find a new traveling routine! Of course, we made it by the skin of our teeth thanks to Keenland traffic...but we did make it just in time to dress in the bathroom.

I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love shown to our family.  For four straight hours there was a line out the door with people coming to show support and to pay their respects.  We had guests from TN, GA, & OH to name a few.  Whether you traveled from near or far, we thank you for your love during this time of grief. 

So, here is what you need to know about Southerners, we love a good funeral.  It's true.  I used to think that I just lived in some kinda weird community, but then I got a book called The Southern Belle Primmer and it informed me that I was in good company.

Of course the fact that we can grieve with hope is the primary reason why we're okay with funerals.  Then there's the food.  Ya'll we've had ham and salads, and casseroles, and even breakfast brought to us and that's just for visitation.  Tomorrow following the funeral there will be a huge lunch with enough home cookin' to feed an army!

I think another reason we're okay with funerals is because they sorta serve as mini reunions.  I mean before the days of Facebook, Twitter and social media, people had to keep up via snail mail.  Otherwise you had to wait for a family reunion or funeral to see all your kin folk.

Even with all the technology today, it's still good to see your family face to face and that's what happened tonight. I was able to meet my cousin's new baby, Gunner.  If you recall, he and Ellie were born the same day, and me and Gunner's daddy were born only nine hours apart.  How cool is that?

The picture about a zillion paragraphs above is of Ellie and Gunner at visitation tonight.  I have a similar picture taken almost 27 years ago of me and George, and these two babies look strikingly familiar - a mirrored image of me and George.  I'll see if I can find it.

In the meantime, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, emails, cards, message, comments, and calls. They mean the world to me.  Please continue to hold my family in your prayers as we say our final Earthly goodbye's tomorrow.