Today (A Mother's Perspective)

Last night, I dreaded for the night to end because I knew it was the last night my oldest son would be home – for a while.

Last night, I washed his clothes and helped him get his stuff together.

Last night, I packed a cooler and bag full of his favorite foods.

Last night, I fixed him a grilled cheese and bologna sandwich, because that’s been his favorite since he was a little boy.

Last night, we sat together, talked and laughed – again, just like we have since he was a little boy.

Last night, we binge watched the NetFlix series, Breaking Bad, that he got us hooked on over the holiday break.

Last night, I saw the same face of a little, red-haired boy, from the past, in the face of a tall, red- haired man sitting across the room from me.  

Last night, I said “good night,” and watched him go up the steps like so many times before.

Last night, I slept soundly, knowing he, and his younger brother, were both upstairs in their beds. 

Today, I got up and folded his laundry and packed away his stuff.

Today, I fixed him a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and sausage crescents – because those are his favorites.

Today, I advised him on a political science response paper and his class schedule for the semester.

Today, I fought back the tears, as the morning passed, and it was time for him to leave.

Today, I remembered that I had given him roots, and I had also given him wings. 

Today, as he left, I hugged a grown man, but I held my little boy. 

Today, I sent a piece of my heart with him, as he headed back to school.

Today, I thanked God that He chose me to be that young man’s mother.

Today, I prayed for God to protect him and guide him, until he’s home again. 

See you, later, Nila

Tonight we honored an amazing woman.  Tonight we praised God for her life.  Tonight we loved on her sweet family.  Tonight many of us wore the color purple, her favorite.  Tonight we did not say goodbye.  Tonight we said -- "See you, later, Nila".

There will never be another Nila Sherrill.   Everyone has their "Nila Story," and many were tonight in remembrance.  But, last June, many were also shared personally with Nila.  The Madison women's ministry had chosen to have a celebration service in Nila's honor.  Several were asked to share stories about memories, friendships, and sisterhood.  I was not able to be at Madison that day, so I shared mine in a written note.  I'm so glad that I had this opportunity to share my thoughts -- and to give my thanks -- to this Godly woman.

My Nila Story

Recently, our youth minister at Donelson, had parents of seniors come up with one word that described our upcoming graduate.   I thought that was such a neat idea, and it really took some time to really come up with only one word to describe Conner.   In thinking of you, Nila, so many words could fit.  You probably have no idea what a blessing you have been in the lives of so many.  As well, you have always been such an encourager to so many, including myself.  You have been an example of a Christian wife to your beloved Jerry, and an amazing mother to my sweet friend, Lin.  You are so loved by your grandson, Zach, and he would beam this year in school each time we spoke of you – which was often. 

Again, so many years of fond memories, and so many words that could describe you, my sweet friend.  In really thinking back over the twenty years of our friendship though, the one word (although hyphenated) that comes to my mind would be “child-lover”.  As educators, we certainly have to love the children with whom we have contact – even on those trying days.  But you have loved generations of children in and out of the context of a school.  Children have been drawn to you because they know that you love and accept them.   They have also known that you have expectations and rules for them, that you expect them to follow. 

You have always made children feel so special.  I remember several years ago when you came and read a Christmas story for my class at Goodpasture.  Your creativity and imagination showed through, and the children were captivated. 

I remember you coming to me in 1998 or 1999, and asking me if Colton could be part of one of your Christmas programs at Madison.  Having been part of Summer Spectacular for many years, I was worried.  Colton was only four or so, and I knew how intense some of those practices could be.  I guess intense is the right description.  You could, honestly, be a little scary, at times.  We've all seen the "Nila look," and we all KNOW what that look means.   (Yes, we are both perfectionists, so I get it!  I can give those looks too!) 

At any rate, you assured me that he could do it, so we asked him.  I’ll always remember how he was immediately drawn to you, and fell in love with “Ms. Nila”.  He wanted to do his part right, and of course, he did!  You made that little boy feel like the most important person on the planet, and this mom has never forgotten that.  Neither has he.  Although he is now in Knoxville, he asks about you often.  I spent today looking through about fifty picture albums to find this treasure of you and him from the night of the play.  He made sure that he got the perfect corsage for "Ms. Nila". 

 

Thank you Nila, for loving children.  You have made such an impact on so many.

Love you dearly –

Darlene

No, there will never be another Nila Sherrill.  Nila loved people, and people loved her.  As her brother ended the service, he commented that Nila had accomplished "THE BIG TWO" in life.  What BIG TWO?  She had loved the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind, AND she had loved her neighbor -- all of us -- as herself.   What a lady!  What a legacy!  What a love!  See you later! 

A Winter Storm; Baby Goats; and an Amazing Smile

During the years that I have written this blog, topics covered have varied greatly.  Some topics have been cheerful and light; others more ominous or serious.  Some have given wings to young people moving to a new season of life; others have given remembrance to special people moving into the final season of life, and into eternity.   I remember my mother jokingly talking about reading the obituary section of her daily paper.  She commented that the older she became, the more friends', family members' and acquaintances' names were found in the columns of death notices.  As a 20- or 30- something, I thought that was a rather brash and distasteful thought; however, as I have moved into my middle years (and past that now), I understand her thoughts on the matter.  As we continue on our journey of life, many of those with whom we have shared life, simply end the journey before we do.  It seems that sometimes even death has heavy seasons, where we simply experience the loss of several loved ones or friends in a brief period of time.

This week has been one of those times.  News of a sudden and unexpected passing; news of an expected and dreaded passing.  Sometimes life is just hard.  Sometimes people wonder how much more can a person or a family endure.   Sometimes there are no answers, but a multitude of unanswerable questions.  Sometimes there is only faith. 

Last weekend, God called Mike Hart home.  It was a sudden and unexpected call, and the news of Mike's death spread sadly across social media.  Mike and his family had gone to Indiana to see his beloved Titans play the Colts.  Mike had suddenly become ill, and he had been taken to the emergency room.  Preliminary test results revealed a serious infection that was ravaging Mike's body.  Surgery would be required.  Mike would not survive the surgery.

The Sweet family began to worship with the Madison Church of Christ in 1993.  I don't remember exactly when our paths crossed with the Hart family, but it was probably twenty years ago.  At this time, Madison was a huge congregation.  Most of the people you got to know were those that sat near you, and that is how we met Mike, Debbie and Mikey Hart.  Mike and Debbie were always so kind and friendly with us.  Mike always talked about liking to sit near us because of Jeff's and my singing.  We were in Sunday School classes together, and it was evident that Mike and Debbie loved one another; they loved their son; but most importantly, they loved the Lord.

Through the years, our paths continued to cross as part of a wonderful church family.  Mike and Debbie soon added John and Sarah to their family; we added Colton and Conner to ours.  We learned that Debbie was a great cook, and Mike was a talented and knowledgeable heating and air conditioning technician.  When we purchased our log house and fifty acre farm in 2001, we had no idea how valuable Mike's knowledge of these things would be for us.

Within a few months of purchasing the house, the first, of three heating/air conditioning units began to freeze up.  This was one of the smaller units, but it was still important.  We called Mike to come out, and he said that the unit was not worth repairing.  It needed to be replaced.  Mike did some things to the unit to keep it going until we could figure out what needed to be done.  We had purchased a home warranty on the house, and we hoped it would allow us to have Mike do the work.  Mike hoped so too; however, the warranty company had another contracted vendor they required us to use for replacement.  Mike just smiled, and said that was fine.  He said, he was glad to help. 

Within a year or two, the second small unit began similar problems.  Mike came to the rescue again.  This time, he did some repair work that bought us about one more year of use.  Following another outage, in early January, Mike suggested that we replace it.  He researched the best type of unit for a log home, and spent several days installing it.   He ate supper with us one night while he was working.  He talked and told stories, smiling his huge and happy smile the whole time.  He loved cake, and he ate a small piece before going back to work on the new unit.  He finished all of the installation up one evening, just as Jeff was packing to go on a week-long business trip.  I will never forget him standing in the kitchen just smiling.  We talked a little bit, and Mike just kept on standing there smiling.  I remember wondering what in the world he was waiting on.  Wasn't he ready to go on home?  Mike stood there a little longer before it finally dawned on Jeff and me.  He was standing there, smiling, and patiently waiting --  to be paid.  We apologized and apologized, but Mike just stood there smiling some more.  That was just his way.  He knew that we had forgotten that he needed a check, but he was just going to stand there, in his kind and unassuming nature, until we remembered!

The next day, Jeff and I laughed again about it, and Jeff was soon off to the airport, for a week of training in Florida.  When the children were little, it always bothered me when Jeff was gone.  Something bad always happened, it seemed, when he was away.  Two days later, a winter storm and  freezing rain entered Nashville.   As well, our temporary insanity of deciding to raise goats, had produced a nanny, just about to deliver twins.  Add three young children into the mix, and you can imagine my stress level.

I got the children settled in the house, and made my way to the barn to see if "Momma Goat" needed any help.  Two darling little babies had been born, so I hurriedly got some fresh hay and covers together in an internal stall.  I moved mother and babies into the stall, and prayed that they wouldn't all be frozen to death by morning.  By the time I got back in the house, it was about 9 PM, and a thin sheet of ice had formed on everything.  When I came into the house, I noticed that it seemed really chilly in the house.  The upstairs of the house was warm.  The far end of the house, with the newest unit, was warm.    The majority of the main floor and downstairs was not.   Surely, this third unit was not going to act up in this bitter storm.

Out of the blue, the telephone rang, and Mike Hart was on the other end.  He was calling just to check to make sure the new unit was working right.  He was worried it might have frozen up in the quickly developing ice.  I informed him that the unit was working fine so far, but there was evidently something wrong with the big unit.  There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, before Mike said that he was on his way.  He'd be there as quickly as he could, but there was ice on the roads.  I told him that we could just use some extra blankets, and that we'd be okay.  He said if our big unit had really gone out, we would have burst pipes by morning.

Within an hour or so, Mike and his brother-in-law, Rob, were coming in the back door.  This storm was really getting bad.  Mike apologized for getting there so late, and they immediately got to work to see if they could figure out the problem.  Within a short while, Mike diagnosed that the big unit was on its last leg.  Of course, he couldn't replace it under the current weather conditions, but he would do his best to figure out how to repair it well enough to get us through this winter storm.  Mike and Rob worked tirelessly to try to get the unit going.  Finally, they got it going about midnight.   I fixed them some coffee or hot chocolate, and we stood in the kitchen laughing about the fact that we were all freezing, but Jeff was in Florida.  I told them about the goats, and Mike smiled.  He wanted to see them, so we all took off, toward the barn, through the storm, with flashlights.

Mike stood there smiling and watching the little goats nurse their momma.  He said he thought that was one of the sweetest things that he had ever seen.  I told them that I thought them coming out in the middle of the night to help me with my heat was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen.  Soon, they were back on the road, headed home.  I remember lying down with Katie that night and thanking God for a man like Mike Hart.  Someone that would come to my rescue in such a storm, and smile the whole time he did it.

Mike would call every day for the rest of that week.  He would make two more trips out to the house to rig the big unit until the weather broke enough for him to replace it.  He would rescue us and offer help, until Jeff could get back home.  But that was just Mike's way.  He was a kind and compassionate man.  He was a Godly man and a humble man.  He loved his friends.  He loved his family.  He loved his children.  He loved his wife.  But most importantly, He loved God.  He witnessed to others about his love for the Lord, and the Lord's love for him.

I saw Mike a few weeks ago.  He was driving toward me, and we saw each other at the same time.  He started waving and smiling.  Within seconds, he pulled passed me, and disappeared into the sea of traffic.  As I pulled into a parking lot to finish up some last minute shopping, I thought to myself, how much I really missed seeing Mike and Debbie on a regular basis; how I really would like to have them over for dinner; how much they both meant to me.  I thought how I knew that being together -- even after all this time -- would be just like old times.  That's how it is with Christian friends. 

That would be the last time I would see Mike's amazing smile this side of eternity.   I can almost see the glistening in his eyes and the brightness of his smile, as he walks the streets of heaven.  One day -- soon or not so soon -- I know we will see Mike again.  But until then, Mike has won the victory over death.  Mike has won the race, and he has finished his course.  Well done, my friend.  Rest well.

Happy New Year! Go, Big Orange!

Happy New Year!  With one son and the hubby duck hunting, and another son recovering from an all-night gig, I have had a very rare day alone.  I have spent today in my pajamas, snuggled up under my new heated throw and watching Tennessee football!

The Sweets are die-hard Vols fan.  We love our Vols, and we are loyal in good times and in bad.  To excuse my extreme laziness today (I cannot go to sleep until all of my children are home, so I was up until 4 AM!),  I enjoyed creating a play by play poem to accompany our HUGE Vols win today!  Hope you enjoy it!

The New Year’s Day Saga of a True Vol Fan Mama

Twas the morning of New Years’ –

And all through the crib –

Not a sound of a jibber –

Not a sound of a jib!

With two of the family –

Gone to Missouri to hunt a duck –

With hope and determination, those camo crusaders

Will have a bit of luck.

With the musician of the family –

Nestled warmly in his bed –

With visions of the Broadway Bash

Still dancing in his head.

With laundry all done –

And letting all else just be –

The mama of the family sat down

To cheer on the Vols of Tennessee!

With her trusty pup, Fergus,

Sitting in her lap –

Fergus thinks he is Smokey,

And he loves his coonskin cap!

With a thunder clap of cleats,

The team ran onto the field –

They were ready for this game –

To Northwestern they would not yield.

The fans were all ready—

Bleeding orange in the stands—

Winning the 2016 Outback Bowl –

Would be awfully grand! 

Excitement drifted down – “Come on, boys--

You can’t be beat!

Send those wildcats pantin’

In that good ole Florida heat!” 

Dressed in classic orange jerseys –

And shimmering bottoms of white –

They needed a good morning  –

They needed to play tight!

Shaking off the nerves –

It was no time to be scattered!

First quarter didn’t go too well! 

Needed to figure out what was the matter!

On Foreman, on Dobbs,

On Randolph and Mixon—

On Hurd, and on Medley –

Butch wants you to kick some!

Dodging some bullets –

And charged with a penalty –

Getting their heads in the game –

To be the team they need to be! 

The first touchdown done –

Dobbs, he is the man!

Here comes the second quarter,

Northwestern – catch them if you can! 

Guest coach, Gruden, on the sidelines,

The energy was soaring!

The crowd was going wild –

A’ screaming and a’roaring! 

By halftime, things were looking sweet

For good old “Rocky Top”—

With an impressive and commanding lead  --

The boys from Tennessee weren’t gonna stop! 

Explosive plays to the left –

Dynamic throws to the right –

The Vols had got it together —

They had shown up for the fight!  

More touchdowns –

More plays and many amazing things!

More teamwork, more determination

And a little more sideline bling!

In a blink of an eye,

The third quarter was all done –

Fifteen minutes of play left on the clock  --

Would Tennessee complete the run?

Who’d ever have known that Dobbs

Was a switch runner. 

That touchdown was amazing –

Poor Northwestern—what a bummer!

In the last dozen minutes,

The rest of the story was told.

The Vols finished their task.

Good ole Rocky Top finished bold!

Our season might not have started off

To show particularly our best –

But in the final round –

The awesome Vols certainly passed the test!

The analysts called ours –

 a “season of near misses,”

But in the end, there were lots of

Chest bumps and congratulatory kisses! 

A chant was heard, as the Big Orange bus

Drove out of sight –

“Happy New Year to all –

2016 is gonna be all right!’  

Go Vols!!