The Top of the Pyramid

2 of Imogene's main men! (mine too) Joey /Chris

Last night at Trinity, we had such a wondrous night of fellowship & fun after I had just returned home from a great trip of fun with a friend of many years that I had really been looking forward to; in other words, I was wanting to get out of Dodge for a few days, see & experience something new & different & this dear friend had given me the perfect opportunity by offering me the chance to accompany her on a trip to Mississippi with her to visit her daughter. They are about 2 weeks ahead of us, so things were more green, the azaleas were in full bloom, as well as some other beautiful flowers.  As we drove through Memphis, I noted one of the landmarks located there, the Pyramid.

Seeing this building set me to thinking about things back at home & wondering how they were going. I had made arrangements for her care while I was out of town, fixed food, etc., & knew she would get lots of attention. One of the main men in her life, her first born great grandson, Joey, came by as well as her granddaughters, neighbors, etc., She could nose around the house & in the utility rooms which she doesn't do as frequently when I'm here.(does anyone need clothes hangers - I don't think she has EVER thrown one away) She could watch those horrible wrestling matches on Sat. night after her favorite preachers which is something she, Joey, & Chris used to do a lot of the time when they were younger. She would really get into it, making the moves, not realizing it (I don't think). Joey & Chris even had some of the wrestling figurines they had collected & knew most of their names.  I can recall years ago when we would drive to Cape to see them "live" at the arena. When we first purchased a tv set around 1955, dad would have me or Joe go outside to turn the antenna so the tv screen wouldn't be so "snowy". She now vows she always knew wrestling was an act; I don't know about that, just that she & her greats enjoyed these evenings together   with all the moaning, groaning, blood & guts - and, oh, those costumes!

She would also instruct the boys to always defend themselves against bullies. It was never a problem for Joey, who was always a big, stout boy; Chris was a smaller, quieter boy, a perfect combo! I worked at school & she & Tammy worked at the nursing center, so we managed to be with all the kids most of the time.  The neighborhood kids often gathered in this yard; it had a large yard with a ditch, bb goal, They shared the "toys" our kids had here, & acquired lots of lessons in life on the ditch bank that runs behind this house. There's nothing like kids having to use their imaginations, & if she perceived that someone was "picking on" Chris,(gotta remember, she left the windows up to listen) she would take Joey aside & instruct him to take care of the matter. After all, this is our yard was her theory, & they can be sent home if they don't follow our rules! That was Imogene's way of conflict resolution. It's so ironic to me that Joey is now the dad of 2 boys, Tanner & Chase, that remind me in many ways of he & Chris when they were younger. Joey thinks he is paying for his raising I think at times, yet he is one proud daddy!

The top of our pyramid has begun to falter due to the ravages of time, yet her strength never ceases to amaze me. Dad died at the age of 57, & mom will be 91 in Sept. if she lives or if the Lord doesn't return (as she says) & she is the head of 5 generations of this family; Imogene, Barb, Tammy, Joey, Tanner.  It is difficult for me to watch her as her steps falter in so many areas, yet I thank God that she is still capable of taking care of her basic needs & able to be in her beloved home. She can no longer leave this house & tells me she looks forward to her next home with great anticipation. I tell her to please not rush, because we all need her so very much. We all need the prayers of those we love - I sure do! She was pretty amused that our program last night at our salad supper was going to be about aprons, which she always wore, then got really interested as I got to looking for the one I really wanted to wear. I was moved to tears when she brought me a handkerchief she has had for many years to take also, she thought it might have been one of her mothers. Just think how many tears, noses, no telling what this hanky has wiped.

I thank the Lord for pyramids - they have a solid foundation. That's what this old world needs! They say that they still stand in Egypt; that's pretty amazing, something built that long ago with the bare hands of slave laborers. With the faith of Imogene & those before her, I understand somewhat more about the Solid Rock upon which I stand. Nothing, nothing, or no one in this life can ever take it away. My blessed responsibility & privilege is to pass it on!