Barlow Bend

Barlow Bend has always been a really special piece of land to Grandmama and Pop.

When Pop was in the logging business, a man asked Pop to cut the timber on this property. In those days, logging was a bit different and they could not cut the timber due to the season. It was too wet for the logging operation.

But Pop told the man that he would buy the property from him instead, if he was interested in selling it. 

The man told him people had been trying to buy this property for years. Pop gave him a price and the man said he would consider it. 

The man decided to take Pop's offer and Pop was able to buy the property from the man. He cut enough timber the next year to pay for the land leaving $1000 leftover. 

 He gave 500 dollars to the Baptist church and 500 to the Methodist church. Pop had been a member of the Methodist Church and Grandmama a member of the Baptist Church.

  As you can see from the pictures, Barlow Bend is a really unique place with a different landscape and various types of timber. Grandmama and Pop loved this place. They both spent time hunting turkey in these woods.

We spent one afternoon exploring as a family.

 David and Owen found this deer scrape.

Little violets peeking through.

We borrowed a friend's Ranger for the day to explore as one big family. Not many 2 month olds have had an adventure like Collin did that day.

The property ranges from hillsides to bottoms to riverside.

We took a break and soaked in a riverfront view.

View of the Alabama River.

Then Owen and David did a little exploring of their own.

What a view.

And what a memorable day at Barlow Bend.

my Pop

 My Pop was welcomed into heaven Sunday, May 5th, 2013. He lived a long life of 95 years and his body was tired. He had worked hard and he did well and it was finally time to go home.

My Pop was born on the fourth of July in 1917. He was the oldest of 7 children.

He never went to college, but he easily could have...he was such a smart man.

He married my grandmother December 29, 1938...they were married for 74 years.

He worked in the logging industry his entire life. From the days that mules were used in logging to working side by side with his two sons in the business.

He worked hard, he loved the land and he loved his family.

My Pop was a quiet man unless it was something he was interested in, such as his land, hunting or family...he had a passion for each of those.

He was a humble man, which I greatly admire.

He was an excellent example of patience, kindness and peace.

He was the peacemaker in his family.

He loved my grandmother and his actions quietly displayed what love looks like in a Christian marriage.

He loved his garden and loved the flowers just like Grandmama. They always had beautiful roses. He would often pick day lilies or a camellia and bring them in for her to enjoy just for that day. He would take coffee to her in bed

He was always right behind her in the kitchen washing dishes as she cooked.
She never asked...

he just did it because he loved her. He had a servant's heart.

(me sitting on their back steps next to roses from their garden)

He could fry some of the best catfish. 

He might pick on you...but that meant he liked you.

I know his brothers, my dad or cousin probably have their own stories they will remember about Pop, 

but this great man made a lasting impression on me. 

The last day I talked to him, he was close to going home. He told me he loved me, he stroked my face and squeezed my hand. 

I told him that I loved him and that he had done a good job.

He had. 

I know his son, my Uncle Jerry, was there to welcome him into heaven...I can only imagine the fun they must be having together.

Jackson visit

After recouping from our 12 hour drive to Alabama, we headed to Jackson for a visit.

We picked up Overstreet's catfish for lunch and visited with Grandmama, Pop and Granddaddy.

While Pop rested, we headed to the backyard to take in the absolutely gorgeous day.

You never know what fun you will find...like a piece of a bird's egg

or playing with Grandmama's walker.

There are all sorts of treasures in an old yard.

I have so many memories of this back yard. I can remember when the flower beds were full of beautiful roses of different varieties, making forts under the camellia bushes, picking blueberries with Pop, falling out of the japanese magnolia tree and knocking the breath out of me, the importance of filling up the bird bath or the simplicity of picking all sorts of flowers like daisies, gerber daises, day lilies, hydrangeas, camellias, irises, gladiolas and azaleas.

We walked around the yard and talked about flowers.

Grandmama was quick to point out weeds or instruct us to pull up things she did not like in her beds and inform my dad that he needs to get James, the yard man to work in her yard. 

The yard is not what it once was, but it still holds beauty that I value deeply. To me, it tells a story. A story of what my grandmother loved...one of her deep passions and joys.

I can just see her now working in her green house, rooting plants or remembering to go turn on the heater for them in the winter.

Now all of those plants are gone, but her garden still tells her story...which is one reason I dug up a few plants to bring home with me so I can continue to love what she loved and share the passion and joy she shared.

 They always kept a compost pile going and we would get earthworms from the good dirt for fishing.

We could not have a visit to Jackson without a trip to the river. 

We soaked in the view and remembered how much we love this place.

Christmas in Jackson

It was good to be in Jackson.

Owen kept Grandmama and Pop entertained.

He LOVED his firetruck from them.

Aunt Lynda used her talents to paint us this platter...it matches a pitcher that she gave us for our wedding.

I love this man so much, although he assures me he loves me more.

So happy we were all able to celebrate Christmas together. Owen's excitement brings so much joy to everyone.

Great Grandparents

I have been so fortunate to have such special relationships with my grandparents.

Not many 27 year olds, are lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents still in their life.

                 I have had the best of both worlds developing and and investing in these relationships.

 The first half of my childhood, I lived in Jackson. I spent so much time at Grandmama and Pop's house. I watched Pop work in his garden, helped shell peas, pick tomatoes. Watched my grandmother prepare amazing meals with their fresh vegetables. Grandmama loved working in her yard and greenhouse, taking care of her plants and flowers. Pop would often bring some in for her to enjoy. He has always been so thoughtful and considerate of her. I remember fish fries, holiday meals, and always lots of fellowship around the table. They were big hunters and fishermen and passed this love of the land down to their family. I always played baby dolls at Grandmama's house and would climb in the Japanese Magnolia tree (until I fell and knocked the breath out of myself).

 

Things have changed in the last few years. Pop is 94 and Grandmama 91, they do incredibly well, all things considered, but they aren't able to get up and about as they once did. They can't get out in their yard, and you can see the changes each time you visit. They keep up with us and know what is going on with our lives. They think the world of their great Grandson and he brings the most joy to them. 

I could not even consider going to Texas without telling them goodbye. This move will be the most far we been from home and we will not get to visit as often. That made this goodbye a little harder. I was telling Pop how much I loved him and how much I appreciate everything he does for us. He had a little tear in his eye as we said goodbye. That was hard.

The second part of the story is Gammy and Papa. We would visit when we were younger. They taught us to love books, and spent lots of time reading with us. When we moved to Greenville when I was in the fourth grade, I  spent lots of time at Gammy and Papa's house. Gammy would pick us up everyday after school. She would get to hear the drama of the school day or about "that" boy that later became my husband. I sat at her kitchen table and did my homework, worked on school projects, would go to and from dance and cheering.

 When David and I started dating we would even go and hang out at Gammy and Papa's. I know is sounds like a crazy thing to do in high school...but we enjoyed them, we enjoyed their company.

I loved seeing David with my family. I loved seeing him get to know them and enjoy them and see why I love them. The way you can only get to know people by being around them.

I can describe moments and memories spent with my grandparents, but it's those little times in between. The "just being with them" moments. Moments that you can't plan. Sitting around the table, standing in the kitchen, laughing, crying, just being there.

The thing is, you can't force relationship like these or make something be that is not there. The foundations of these relationships started when I was a little girl. These people invested in my little life, taught me, encouraged me and loved on me when I needed.

And I am grateful for them and have so much respect for each one of them. 

And I can take bits of pieces of each of them wherever I go.

Whether it is Pop's peacemaker spirit, Grandmama's hospitality, Gammy's joy, or Papa's precision...they are a piece of me.