I didn’t write my blog yesterday because I went to a Memorial service and I was glad I didn’t.It gives me the chance to tell you about that service which was different from any I have attended before.

When I entered the church I was given a pretty bag and told to take anything that was on the table. The table was laden with tiny bags containing the favorite cookies and candies of Eddie Butler, the man who died. I put a cookie and a bag of candy in my bag along with Eddie’s obituary and a program for the service and walked inside the packed church.

The Eddie Butler I knew was the man who greeted me each Sunday morning when I came to church. He always wore a smile and said “Good morning” like he really meant it. He was a quiet and humble man, but I didn’t know him at all!

He was a black man who accomplished much during his lifetime. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps and a great football player in both his high school and college years. Not only that, but he earned both a BA and a MA degree in college and even did some work in a doctor’s degree. He did that during the 40’s and 50’s when the black men and women were considered much lower than the white people. Certainly Eddie was one who fought and won whatever he wanted.

He taught elementary school for 32 years and was selected teacher of the year in 1988. The people who filled the church that day knew and loved that man and it was obvious that they thought he was a great man not only for his activities but for his attitude about life itself. The church was filled with both black and white folks, but no one thought about that. They were there to honor this great man who was always quiet and humble.

Eddie had what every person should have. He walked with God and everyone knew that. I wonder if that isn’t the reason he was able to do the things he did. He didn’t do all those things by himself. God was always close beside him. That was the reason we held that wonderful service of celebration. Eddie did it God’s way

There is so much talk about Obama Care these days and much of it is scary. I hope none of the things they are saying will come true but I am sure some of it will. For instance, I believe the cost will go up and there will be taxes. I imagine there will be more doctors quitting and going into some other line of work and that will mean it will be more difficult for us to get an appointment.

I don’t know when health insurance began but I am sure that it began when the costs went up! I’m positive we didn’t have health insurance when my first two kids were born because I have the bill. One was for $20.00 and the other was for $40.00. Those were both hospital bills and I don’t remember the doctor bill was much higher.

I remember the thirty’s quite well. Doc Wiltrout came to our house every time someone fell down or was sick. It felt comfortable just having him come in the door. When he had finished taking our temps and patting us on our heads he’d take the change in Daddy’s pocket and leave. If it was something quite serious he’d drive us to the hospital 16 miles away. I,d say most of the small town doctors did their work similar to Doc. Wiltrout. One time he even set the leg of our dog, Firdinand! And I know his wife fried a lot of chicken because he was often paid in chickens!

The doctor’s advise given in the 20th century was written up in a paper called Vivilore. Here is some of the advise:To remedy cold feet and hands you must eat more starch and it is recommended to eat this with sugar or honey. Ice water should be avoided because it causes the mucous membrane of the stomach to become temporarily pale and bloodless.Baldness is caused by sickness, worry, excessive study and free exercise of passion. Treatment of it is rubbing the scalp until it is red, then add an onion cut in two and rubbed over the scalp morning and night. to determine the sex of your offspring you must count on the sex of the older or younger parent to be transmitted.

While these remedies seem strange and funny today, at least you didn’t have to worry about costs etc.My guess is that we should all get into the habit of eating an apple every day because it has been long known that an apple a day keeps the doctor away!