I wanted to share a sweet tribute to Jackson Kelley, who we lost in April 2020, written by his life long friend, Dusty Redding Fields, just after their Hale County High Class of 2006 Reunion!
Hello old friend,
I miss you today, as I do most days, but especially today. Because today you would have been 39 years old. (October15,1987). I like to think that we would’ve spent it together, although I don’t know if our circumstances would’ve actually allowed it. I like to think that we would have shared mutual anticipation for the new Resident Evil movie and maybe even made plans to go see it together.
Or maybe at least we could have planned to meet up virtually on Xbox Live so that you could remind me, once again, that you are INSANELY good at Mortal Kombat. That we would have switched to Tekken at my behest, so that I could mop the floor with you and remind you that we grew up playing these games together, but we simply chose to put our time into different games.
Much in that same way, we had chosen very different paths in life. We sparred many times in our later years together about our differing philosophies and what we thought was right. You always had a unique way of taking big, sweeping concepts and boiling them down into the simplest terms, born from your own experience. Even when you would oversimplify things and lose the plot entirely, I could always tell that your core intention was to get to the truth of things and satisfy your own curiosity. I always admired that about you, and I honestly have never come across anyone else who pined for the absolute truth like we both always have.
We would speak now and again about what we would do if the other one died. I remember some, but sadly not all of that. I like to think I remembered the important parts:
Firstly, we both agreed that we would make sure the other was buried with our favorite movies and video games. I did my part in that and I know others did as well. I saw copies of The Big Lebowski, Boondocks Saints and Pulp Fiction other people had brought. I paid for expedited shipping on the nearly pristine copy of Mortal Kombat 2 I ordered from another fellow named Dusty in Ohio to make absolutely sure it would make it in time to get it to you. So, you’re welcome.
Secondly, we both agreed that we would indeed show up to each other’s funerals and cry. Why we thought that wasn’t a given, I will never know, but rest assured; I was there, and I cried. A lot. I helped carry you to your grave site. I helped to physically shovel the dirt to cover you up. And I sobbed the entire time I did those things until my face hurt, just as I had in the days leading up to the funeral.
I didn’t know I was going to have to physically bury you until your dad approached the pall bearers right after the funeral and handed us all shovels and explained “I won’t have my son buried by no machine” While I was honored and would have never refused, I have tell you, it absolutely wrecked me. I had spent the days leading up to the funeral mentally preparing myself for all that was to come, but I never anticipated having to roll up my sleeves and physically bury my brother in the ground. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t know until the moment. Nothing I could have done would have prepared me for it anyhow. Sorry to bring down the mood, but I digress…
Happy Birth Date my friend! That’s what you call it when other people celebrate the birth of someone who has passed on. A birth date, not a birthday. To me it seems that it is maybe described in that way to remind the living that every one of us has limited time on this earth. Mortality is funny that way. It takes someone else’s passing to remind us that one day, someone will be carrying each of us to a grave, crying all the way. It is here that I personally find meaning in death. It reminds those of us carrying on to enjoy what we have. To make the most of every moment.
The times I spent with you showed me how carefree and whimsical life can be if we just let go and let it. It wasn’t until I grew up and realized how difficult the world would make that simple task, that I came to really appreciate your ability to do that so effortlessly. I will spend the rest of my life attempting to live that way, because to me, that way is the only way.
So happy birthday and birth date, my brother. I love you and miss you, Jackson. The world misses you. I will carry the fire, and I will reluctantly excuse you from having to cry at my funeral. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some Mortal Kombat to play.
Four year old Stetson McCrory of Sawyerville, hit his 1st home run this past week for his team. The oldest of 3 boys ! Stetson’s team was short two players and 2 year old little brother, Ryder, filled in for the team, being as he already had the uniform (wanting to match big brother) and had already warmed up with the team. He will be 3 in Feb. So Ryder was asked did he want to play! YES SIR! Trevor and Amanda Roulaine McCrory, have a 3rd little boy, Tucker, who is already watching!
Mrs. Louise Thomas recently celebrated her “90th” birthday with 90 of her friends and family at Mr. Hebron Fellowship Hall.
MEMORIALS
In Loving Memory on their birthday:
Oct. 22nd…Matt Frye, John D. Lavender
23rd…Guel Davis
24th…Rufus “Bubba” Kelley
25th…Pearl Green, Robert Wright
ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Anniversary!
Oct. 22nd…Maartje & Rebecca Buitendijk
23rd…Freddie & Jennifer Fondren Massengale
24th… Brandon & Courtney Brown Katz, Josh & Julie Terry Montgomery
28th…Donald & Margaret Rainey
BIRTHDAYS
Belated: Oct. 13th
Hunter Moore
Celebrating this week:
Oct. 22nd…Nesa Redding Terry, Ashley Elliott, Deniese Cook Tidmore, Beth Kelley, Bruce Sams
Oct. 23rd…Dawn Beekman, Jennifer Fondren Massengale, Kelly Adams Morrison, Holly Chapman Johnston, Mary Evelyn Thornton, Anthony Skelton, Cindy Davis Polinsky, Holly Posey James, Reese Tidmore
Oct. 24th…Jessica Humphreys, Annie Earle Jackson, Logan Bailey Carter, Trevino Vawters
25th…Josie Harrison, McKensie Hoggle, Mark Haney, Tara Wyatt Frye, Courtney Dockery
27th…Kolby Gardner
28th…Linda Jackson Lake, Blake Morrison, Brenda Bradshaw Abernathy, Victoria Corley Collins, Debbie Benedict-Jensen, Charles Massey, Hunter Merritt
That’s all for this week,
Rita
