THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

The road is long, eleven hundred and forty-five miles down and eleven hundred and forty-five miles back. There are times the miles seem to crawl by slower than a slimy snail drunk on molasses crawlin' up an ice hill in January. I knew the trip would be a difficult one but this Ozark Farm Chick had no clue how stressful it would be. We have traveled this road many times before but this time the trip to Brownsville, Texas was for my Daddy's memorial service. It would be the last goodbye and a time for closure.

I was lookin' forward to leavin' the frigid temperatures behind but dang, if we didn't hit ice in Temple, Texas and the the temps in Brownsville were colder than a bankers heart on foreclosure day at the widow's and orphan's home. I didn't expect the shingles to come along and play tag over the Grand Tetons on the second day of the trip. I'd rather jump barefoot off a six foot ladder into a five gallon bucket full of porcupines than to speak in front of a room full of adults but Mom requested me to offer up a tribute for my Daddy . Yep, I sucked it up, swallowed my fear, shoved down my emotions and presented it just for my sweet Mama. I had this Norman Rockwell vision of family time togetherness but the days were full and crazier than a run over dog. I have to praise my children for jumpin' in to do whatever it took to support my Mama and contribute to the beautiful service.

Dad himself was a giver and would of been so proud of the generations he helped to create. He sure was delighted to be a grandpa himself to my two in the photo above. Dad was there to pick me up when I fell. He's the one who always made sure I had 'enough' money. He's the one who brought a truck filled with ten bred heifers to help stock the Ponderosa. The one to put Geek Son in his first saddle. The man who told me with conviction that Social Butterfly would survive her heart surgeries and grow up someday to make me a grandmother. What can I say? The man knew his stuff!!! I just pray that I can offer love and support to my family in a way that would make my Daddy's eyes light up and plant that big old ear to ear grin of his face.



Dad was honored with a twenty-one gun salute and the most beautiful flag ceremony I have ever witnessed. A slide show of Dad's life was presented throughout the service. The family released red, white, and blue star balloons were soared into the heavens and a wonderful meal was shared with dear friends and family. Just like our journey, life is like a long and winding road. This was one of the last Beatles song that Paul McCartney wrote back in 1969. Paul actually had Ray Charles in mind as he wrote the words but the road didn't go there. Just as I am elated to be back home, I know in my heart my Daddy is too, 'cause he too has traveled "The Long And Winding Road."