Going Home To Bama

I could write for hours about this trip; no maybe days. I won't overload you know with words, but would like to confess that I am ashamed and sad that it took me so long to do it. It had been more than 11 years since I went home for a visit other than a funeral and really longer on a decent length trip.

Tonight I will just upload the photos so that all my friends and other family can enjoy them.

 Family

 

Andrew, Camella, Cynthia (my dad's cousin) and Virginia (my 2nd cousin).

 

 

Three generations looking at old photos.

 

 Althea taking photos.

 

Cooking on the deck.

 

My Uncle Putman (dad's brother), me, Virginia, my Aunt Barbara (dad's niece) and Andrew.

 



 

Cousins.

Connie, Barbara, Cynthia, Virginia,Camella

Uncle Putman in the back.

 



 

Ann Brown, my beautiful cousin.

 

And her husband, Bud Brown.

 

And his younger brother John Brown.

 

 





Doing Stuff

Papa explaining fishing scissors to Althea.

 

Lake Smith

Julie, Andrew and Althea at Great Grandma and Grandpa Barton's grave.

Union Chapel

 

 

Althea at her Great Great Great Grandparents Grave

 

 

Things and Places

 

Daffodils at Smith Lake House.

 

Daffodils

 

Althea at Posey's Hardware.

 

Althea and Papa.

 

A trip to Jasper just ain't done until you stop

at Posey's Hardware.

 

Andrew and Julie

 

Frank looking for a rock for me.

 

My hubby getting me a gift for the yard!

Brad

It has been three years since Brad died on Christmas Eve morning. I will never forget the look on Frank's face when he got the phone call. Even know I feel the tears welling in my eyes as I remember him saying he didn't know if he could tell me what was wrong. My first thought was of our children, never did I imagine that I was to soon learn the my baby brother, my best friend through childhood and onward into adulthood was gone.

It has been a long and hard road in dealing with Brad's death and the betrayal of lifelong friends and the hurtful things that people often do or say following a death. Thank God for my husband and children as without them I would never had made it.

I can look backwards now and remember good times and goods days like this one above. He was so in love with Dorie and treasured each moment with her. He was a good Unc to my children and a wonderful Unc Unc to her. I wish that Althea had been able to experience just one big bear hug!

I miss you Boo Boo and I always will, but I feel your spirit when ever I catch of Sweet Grass or see a bottle of Makers Mark.