|
It
was a cool crisp Saturday morning about nine a.m. when I walked through
the old double front doors of The Flat Rock General Store. You could
smell the turpentine off the kindling burning in the old pot-bellied
heater. Not cold enough for a roaring fire, Slim had a light smoldering
fire goin’ just to create some slight warmth throughout The Store.
All
The Store regulars were present includin’ the Widow Cora, Ms. Ida,
Farlow and Willerdean, my Daddy “Pop” C.C., “Truth” and Estelle,
“Hatch”, S.R., J.R., Harley Hood, Heath, and Dustin. Everybody was
munching on something. It didn’t take me long to figure out that Essex
had made a big old batch of her famous popcorn balls for all those
present.
Bro.
had a captive audience and he was handin’ out flyers concern’ the
annual Thanksgiving supper down at the Baptist church on the Tuesday
night shy of Thanksgiving. This was so as to not interfere with any
other area Wednesday night church services and/or Thursday family
gatherings. Like all eatin’s, the entire community and area Flat Rock
folk are invited; and there would be a plenty of fine home cooked
vittles for all those present.
As
I settled into my seat along side Farlow, Slim commented something about
blessings and pointed to the back wall over behind the old pot bellied
heater. There hung a full six-foot piece of white butcher paper along
the top in big red marker letters were the words “THANKSGIVING
BLESSINGS.”
Below
the title words was a rather lengthy list of noted blessings from the
regulars and other community and area Flat Rock folk.
Slim
commented that as he moved older from year to year he realized the true
importance of simple blessings. He then commented that it was his belief
that most Flat Rock area folk are “blessed well beyond their worth,”
not just at Thanksgiving but all the year through.
I
agreed with Slim as I headed out to my pick-up truck to get my camera so
as to take a picture of The Flat Rock General Store Thanksgiving
blessing’s list. Just maybe I could get Mr. Luke Slaton to note my
picture of The Store Thanksgiving blessings list in The Moulton
Advertiser. Slim got me to thinking I might just write a special
poem to summarize the simple blessings of Flat Rock area folk. ’Course
it would fit for folk in general and not just at Thanksgiving.
SIMPLE
BLESSINGS!!!
We
must not forget the place we live,
Our home, shelter proved
——A Simple Blessing
There is little
thought
of the food we eat
——A Simple Blessing
We take for
granted our body
And the health given us
——A Simple Blessing
It is essential
for life,
the clean fresh air we breathe
——A Simple Blessing
It is readily
available, clean, pure,
Hot or cold running water
——A Simple Blessing
There is much to
cover,
comfort, and protect
Abundant amounts of clothing
——A Simple Blessing
Beyond
walking, we enjoy many forms
Of transportation
——A Simple Blessing
We see it as
part of our daily routine,
Our job is our livelihood
——A Simple Blessing
Our family and
the
Other people about us, many are
Considered true friends
——A Simple Blessing
Most would be
lost without a phone,
Or other ways to communicate
——A Simple Blessing
As
we experience the world about us,
We take for granted so many,
God given
——A Simple Blessing
(Joe Potter - Dec. 2001)
I
truly did experience another special blessing in my Potter family on
Monday, September 25th, as my
second granddaughter, Anna Kate Potter, was born at 3:30 p.m. She
weighed 7lbs. 4ozs., was 20-½ inches long. She has a big sister named
Ashlyn Nicole Potter. They both look like their Pap Paw Joe, but belong
to my second son, Dustin Potter, and wife Wendy.
I
wish for each Farm Fresh Memory reader “simple blessings” at
Thanksgiving and all year long…
Remember
Your Heritage!!!
Always,
Think Good Memories!!!
Joe
Potter is a former vocational agriculture teacher, FFA advisor and
retired county agent (Colbert County).
|
