I guess it’s time to tell some stories about my Jim. He died in November, the same month as his Dad. Call me nuts, But I mourned both of them even though Eddie died over 50 years ago, and the two of them were buddies. I sang the song “My Buddy” many times alone in my bedroom after Jim was gone. Here is just one of the stories when he was 9 years old.
He and Mary Jo were competitors as far as playing the saxophone in the band was concerned. The band director thought they were equally first-chair players so he had them change seats every month. Of course, that led both of them to practice harder. They both won first place in the district trial and went to the State Music Festival. The kids were very excited. When they went in and saw all the other children with their horns, their excitement quickly turned to worry.
Mary Jo was on the list to play her song first. As she began playing, no note sounded! She went crying to her mother. Jim left his seat and walked over to her. “It isn’t over, Mary Jo, Here, take my sax and play your song. It’ll work.” She played beautifully and handed his sax back thankfully. Jim had very little time to get ready, but he did it, and also played his song beautifully. Jim got an A, and Mary Jo got an A-, probably because she wasn’t playing her own horn.
Well, how are you about sharing the prized thing you really love; that sweater, tool, or recipe your great-grandmother passed down to you? Jesus once said, “Love your neighbor, as yourself.” That’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Give them something they would like. My neighbor brought me a box of Christmas cookies. You can’t imagine what that meant to me. I used to bake lots of different things at Christmas time, but I can’t bake anything now. Jesus was telling us. things we should do and if we did that and one other thing, love and trust God! Our country would be a different place, wouldn’t it?
GramMa's Thoughts 