“Preacher said he died too young over there totin’ that gun for Uncle Sam and
our freedom.” Brantley Gilbert “One Hell Of a Amen”. I haven’t known anyone that
I can think of that died in war but I know plenty that have fought for my
freedom. I can’t imagine how parents feel seeing their child go off to war not
knowing if they would return or not. My daddy was in the Korean War but Lord
have mercy that was a hundred years ago. Just kidding but after all my daddy is
old. I had never asked daddy much about his time in the Army but a couple of
weeks ago something started us talking about it. It was very interesting the
things he told us about where he was, how long he was at different stations and
how homesick he was. I can’t imagine seeing my son leave for the service and I
certainly can’t imagine seeing him off to war. So for all those mothers who have
been in those shoes you have to be just as strong as those soldiers off to war
and I thank you. I thank you for your sons/daughter sacrifice for my freedom. To
those mothers/parents that have received that folded flag, bless you and thank
you that your child sacrificed his life for my freedom.
“Doctor said he ain’t
got long. He just smiled said bring it on. Well if you think I’m scared you got
me all wrong. No, a little cancer can’t break me. My heart’s right and I
believe. Naw he never gave up said the good Lord’s waitin’. That’s the only way
to go, rightin’ the good fight til the good Lord calls you home. So be well
friend ‘til I see you again. Yeah this is our last goodbye It’s a hell of an
amen.”
I have lost lots of friends to cancer and it just SUCKS!!! Yes that may
be a harsh word but it SUCKS.
I’ve written about this friend many times, but as
Mr. Mike sung this song on Sunday the tears came. Yep I’ve heard this song a
million times but this time it brought on a whole new meaning. This time he
reminded me once again how strong my friend Andrew was in his fight with cancer.
He never gave up and he never quit fightin.’ So many times he would have to
cancel plans but that was OK because as soon as he was feeling better, he was
right back at it again. Right back at enjoying life the best he good, right back
at making me laugh and most importantly right back loving his family and
spending as much time with them as he could and of course flying that dadgum
Tennessee flag. The last few days I’m not sure he knew we were at the hospital
but it didn’t matter to me. I wanted to be there because he would have done that
for me. The one regret I have is the day he called and I missed the phone call.
The call that I had prayed I would never hear and that was his time was nearing
the end. His message I will forever remember when he said the doctors had called
his family in and he wanted me to know. OMG when I heard the message I went
straight to the hospital. I’ve never been so happy to see this man still
smiling. Still talking that I got to hear that voice one more time. The wink
from him that will always, always be the best wink EVER. I’m pretty sure this
song was written after my friend had passed away but I can just hear him if he
could speak to me today say… that was one hell of an amen! One hell of an amen
to his life and how he lived it, one hell of an amen to his family that saw him
so courageous and I can really hear him that he has a grandson and twins on the
way. He would be such a good grandpa. And what would tickle me more is me
calling him grandpa. So in spirit of my friend and this song…that’s one hell of
an amen.
LESSON TODAY? As usual I don’t have a clue but let’s just go with
whatever you do in life make sure you would say it’s “ONE HELL OF AN AMEN”. Do
good, be kind and I don’t care if you’re my age which is about 60ish respect
your mama and daddy if you’re lucky enough to still have them. I want the person
speaking at my funeral to say…”If Sherry could speak to us right now about her
life, I know she would say “that was one hell of an amen.”
