Hellooooo Friday, and hello friends! It is always good to make it to Friday so we can GATHER around a word prompt over at Kate Motaung’s place. That’s what Five Minute Friday is…a writing prompt where loads of lovely bloggers listen for the Ready, Set, Go and they write on a common topic for 5 minutes. It is loads of fun, and I’m glad you have stopped by for a visit. Let’s get started. Today’s word prompt is:
GATHER
One of my most vivid memories from my teen years is of GATHERings of my Daddy’s family in our home. Although my Daddy was an only child, he had a host of aunts and uncles. Some lived nearby, while others were across the ocean serving our country. There were a few common denominators that applied universally to this family. The love of family, food, and fellowship. While I remember many GATHERings of this family, the ones most vivid are those that included food and music.
On occasion, the family would GATHER in the basement at my parents’ home, eat some mighty fine cooking, and then GATHER around the piano. I would play, and the whole family would sing the great hymns of our faith. You see, this bunch loved Jesus. I remember as a young girl being mystified by my Grandmother Colwell’s relationship with Jesus. It seemed like He was her very best friend. Once she said that she was looking forward to heaven. I thought that was the oddest thing to say, since here was pretty darned good to an eight year old. Now, at 50+ years old, I smell what she was stepping in. Heaven is looking pretty sweet to me, too.
Back to my story. With full bellies, our family would worship the King. It never occurred to me that we were worshipping, but that’s exactly what we were doing. Singing the hymns of faith to the One who died for us. There was always Amazing Grace, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I’ll Fly Away, There is a Fountain, and What a Friend We Have in Jesus. I can still hear the voices of my Grandma Eula, Aunt Snow, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Jean, and Aunt Eloise. The uncles and cousins would join in, but their voices were overshadowed by those of my aunts.
My Grandma and her sisters.
Eventually, time, distance, and family angst caused those GATHERings to cease. For many years now, the only time this family GATHERs is for a funeral. At those times, we sing those old hymns once again, usually in remembrance of one of those aunts or uncles. All my great aunts are gone now, and only one great uncle remains. My Daddy is gone, as is my Mother. My heart longs for the days of those sweet GATHERings, filled with food, fellowship, and music.
Oh wait, what is that I hear?
Could it be? It IS……the sound of my family, GATHERED in heaven, worshipping Jesus, singing those old hymns of the faith.
