This past Sunday we were at Gigi and Granddaddy's for lunch. Jon found an old tape and popped it in to play. The man on the other side of that tape was Jim. He was giving his beloved "Mother's Day Sermon". Now my father-in-law was a lawyer by profession, but many, oh so many wanted him to preach. An excellent teacher, preacher, and speaker he was. . . so full of wisdom and truth. When he spoke, he commanded an audience. Not because he pounded an iron fist, but because he was a man who led a life by example that was worthy of everyone's respect.
I heard snippets of the sermon as Gigi and I sat at the table and talked. I saw Jon intently listening. . . listening to the man he knows as Dad. . . listening to the man who was his best friend, the man who he watched football games with, the man who he'd call first to tell something exciting going on in his life, the man who was probably his biggest encourager, the man whom he resembles so very much (yet would never say that himself).
I saw Gigi's face as she listened to Jim. . . it seems like so long ago . . . that man, that teacher, that laywer, that speaker, that preacher. However, I think she is more tender, more sensitive, and more loving to him now more than ever. Maybe it's because he needs her more??? Maybe its because she realizes how much she needs him???
I saw a man. . . a man whose mind has been stolen by a terrible disease. .. get excited when he heard the voice. . . however, he didn't know it was him. Even when we told him it was him, the dots didn't connect. After a while of listening to this beloved man, Granddaddy came to the table and told us "that guy knows what he's talking about. He's speaking the truth." Gigi and I laughed and laughed. Grandaddy stated "I'm serious. He does. He knows what he's talking about." . . . never even aware that wise man is him.
His sermon started out with him talking of his mother and how when he would go home to the coast. . . early in the morning they would sit around the table and drink coffee together. He talked about what a profound influence his mother had on him. . . .he's a "mama's boy", I dare say.
Jim has often told me about his mornings of drinking coffee with his mother. Even when my parents are around and my mom perks a pot for everyone, she will offer a cup to Jim, and that is what he tells us. His face lights up as he remembers.
Today, as we sat at the table he spoke of his time of drinking coffee with his mother. He told me, "She's the one who learned me how to drink coffee." I made us both a cup. There's something about the smell and the taste of something that can take you back to a time you're fond of. This took Jim back to his past and he talked and talked and talked.
- Talked about days on the farm, farming watermelon and tobacco.
- The not so happy memories of having to go up north and collect money from the watermelon. He's still bothered by those times after all these many, many years. He wore the pain on his face.
- Talked about his mother whom he loves so much. . . her life, her impact, her influence. . . how she always took the time when he was home to sit down and have a cup of coffee with him.
- Talked about if he could give anyone advice how it would be that they need to know the Lord.
- Talked about how much he loves seeing the children (our kids) come to the house to see him on Tuesdays.
- Talked about what a "good lookin' crew" we have.
1 comment:
beautifully sweet
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