Lea hasn’t always been the only girl for me. There have been others. Nine or ten to be exact, and all of them over the age of 70. They were the sweetest group of Christian ladies that I fell in love with years ago. When Lea and I moved to Tulia in 1992, we got involved with a group of “little old widow ladies.” Lea and I took them to movies, plays, Bible studies, Christmas pageants and other outings. Twice we took this group of ladies on a week long trip to New Mexico to the Red River Family Encampment. They used to tease me about keeping a sharp eye on them because they were planning on sneaking out at night and going “man hunting.” They were loads of fun.
Although time has passed, our friendship with these ladies has always remained strong.
This week another one of these ladies went on to be with the Lord. I had promised so many of them, that I’d do their funerals… and I have. Yesterday I did the funeral for the sweet 99 year old woman named Myrtle Jennings (4th from the right). I’ll miss her. Sadly there’s only a couple of these ladies left, but as each of these ladies pass away it just makes getting to heaven someday a little sweeter.
The picture was taken at a hotel, saloon and restaurant in Clayton, New Mexico. I like to have NEVER talked them into posing for this picture because they didn’t want to stand in front of a “saloon” sign.
The were all as good as gold.Have you ever had a “sweet little old lady” that you fell in love with?
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 21 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
sssooooo sweet….this gave me chills!!!! hope i have a nice young whipper snapper and his precious wife that will entertain and love me someday!!!
Yes, there have been several and they make life SO much sweeter! What an honor, too, to be asked to do a funeral. To me, being asked to do a funeral is more of an honor than being asked to do a wedding.
Since I was a young child I have had a great love for those “little old ladies and men”. I would always sit with some of them at church and felt loved and safe. I have written before that I think they loved me and my company as much as I did theirs.
What a blessing I know you and Lea were to them for spending those precious times with them.
Hi Trey! There is something about little old ladies and old gentlemen. I have worked in an Alzheimers facility before and have made friends with lots of little old ladies and men! For me elders are valuable spirits in weak vessels. I get starry eyed when I remember sitting with them and just listening to and looking at them. They seem so much like precious diamonds! There's one lady at my church who brings her mini blanket, falls asleep during the sermon, sings under her breath and leaves early, and is well loved by everyone, including me!
There have been a few sweet old ladies. . . Lena for me, Mabel for Mike
Funny they happen to run in your same circle preacher man!!
All of them were some of my most favorite people EVER! Of course, I'm pretty partial to Grandmom, Verna Dutton, but Lena, Myrtle,well, all of them, were pretty important influences in my life! Thank you for a tribute well deserved!
Growing up I was with the Senior Adults of First Baptist Church as much or more than I was with my own age. That's why I love them all so much today! Some favorites are/were The Nance's, Montgomery's and of course my very favorite of all time, Hazel and Spooky Sport (of course with them being my grandparents I'm a little partial)!
Oh, this made me miss my grandmother so much! She was one of the biggest influences in my life, and her legacy is still alive as I snuggle up in one of her handmade quilts or remember her quiet strength in God. A friend has recently become a widow at age 62 and this makes me want to keep in touch with her and make her a priority in my life.
And have fun with your wife!
what about the young widows? That's what I was – a week past my 31st birthday. This group often gets left behind.