Today is my Mommas first birthday in Heaven. Now, wait guy(s) before you get your UBATUBAS in a wad, and experience fallout.this is a racing story, and so much more.
It is about my Mommas love of God, family and racing. I remember growing up in a time when there were no laptops, tablets or smart phones. I wont go into all that, as some of our absolutely great writers here at RacersReunion have recently written about the old days, and old ways. I certainly am no writer, but today this is therapy for me.
I speak from the heart, and honestly that is all I know how to do. Controversial sometimes, but that is me. And if I am nothing elseI am loyal. When I speak of Mama, I am referring to Pkl, whom there is no doubt been a God sent to me. My Momma gave birth to me, and after she went to Heaven back a few months agoGod gave me Mama Pkl, to help fill a void in my heart and life, a voice of reason and integrity. Jeff Gilderis like a brother, who will cut up and laugh with me, but makes sure I am on the right track at what I am doing. There is Tim Leeming (The Legend) who does not patronize, like it or leave it, doesnt back down to anyone. Bobby Williamson (Bopper) who not only is our Reverend and I use that term loosely, but also knows his stuffand how to use it appropriately to explain things and keep us in stitches!! Bopper is my go to guy. There is Cody Dinsmore, who inspires us to keep doing what we do. Codys passion at such an early age is unparallel to anyone I have ever met! You keep it up son, you ARE going places. Coastal Jack Walkerkeeps my feet tappingthank you so much!
You know, I could name off each and every friend and tell you what you mean to me, but I would have to create a Page for that one. Only, me and the good Lord in Heaven, knows what each and everyone one of you at RacersReunion means to me. Now, I said all that to say this.
Now, you have to remember that the (early on) events occurred before racing was ever on TV, by the time that happened in 1979 I was about to deliver my second son. Momma always went to the tracks with her composition book, ear phones. I cant remember if she had a stopwatch or just used her wrist watch. But, Momma would write all time trials down in her book. She pretty much would have positions calculated before the Tower did. If something was off, she pretty much would let you know about it. She kept times on all divisions at the dirt tracks in her book. I remember watching her, and thinking I wish she would put that down, and just enjoy everyones company, but that was before I understood her main reason for being there. That reason was for the love of racing.she could socialize anytime.
On Saturday nights, you would find us at the dirt tracks.on Sundays we would for a period of years be at a Moto Cross track, as my brother H.B, and my step-father ran in those. So race until the wee hours at the dirt track, go homeget up early Sunday morning, pack the food box and head out to the woods for some motorcycle racing. This was all after Momma had worked in the Cotton Mill all week. When there was a Nascar race, (no TV) oh yeah, that was the sound on the radio, whether it be at home, car. It didnt matterit was on. I am like that today; it just comes natural to me. I didnt get to go to all of the Nascar races, but I would be excited for Momma to get home.
Because I KNEW she would have Line-Up sheets and Programs. Momma prided herself in the fact that she had this memorabilia, and if people needed to refer back to something, they knew where to come.Maxine.
She as I did not know about the garage end of things. But she took time to know the drivers and their families. She never was a Petty fan (sorry, Tim) but she ALWAYS gave credit, where credit was due. She said Richard Petty was so devoted to his fans, taking time with themand enjoyed it, no fake smile there!
You know, back then it was different. Going down into the pits and getting up close and personal was just what you did. Plain and simple, Momma loved people, especially happy and positive people. She was an Allison, and Jarrett fan.I think mainly because she loved Bobby and Judy, Ned and Martha. She didnt just follow the racingshe followed and cheered on the family. I remember going to tracks and you better believe, if that gate was open we were going to take a few laps around it in our car. I remember when we would take trips just to go and find people and thingsJunior Johnsons chicken farm, different garages.no major HUB back then. We never knew who or what we would run up on. The thrill of the hunt!
Listening to, Tom T Hall, Porter and Dolly, George Jones, and Merle Haggard playing in the 8 Track. When we hit the foothills of NC, the excitement began for me. When my Momma did anything, she did it big.
She could grow African Violets with leaves as big as collards. Everything she grew was big, right down to us children.
She could cookoh my Lord, Momma could cook. She could have boiled the dish rag and made it taste like Chicken and Pastry! She loved entertaining, and people loved being entertained by her! All that Momma had to say was, Im cooking Sunday, if you want to come listen to the race the house would be full.
She taught me the art of entertainingshe wouldnt have called it an art, she would have called it being just plain good folk and enjoying life and the people in it. She taught me how to make Scarlett OHaras cranberry juice and some good ole Southern Comfort.good for the soul, and your urinary tract!! So funny, she could be.
Everyone had their favorites to pull for in the race. Made for much so more fun! But now dont try and be cruel in Mommas eyes, that was uncalled for and she would let you know it. When a member of the Racing Family died.we mourned, didnt matter if we were fans or not. They were part of our Family!
When the first televised race in 1979 came onI never will forget it! A lot of the family had gone to the race, but Momma wasnt about to leave me with the baby due anytime. Plus, this was another first that she and I could experience together! There was snow on the ground, we had cooked and had a fire going in the fireplace. When there was a race on, there was nowhere and I mean nowhere I would rather be, than with Momma.
I was a Cale fan; Momma as I said earlier was an Allison fan. We watched the race (FIGHTFIGHT) and so enjoyed it and each other. Nobody else around to bother us, just us, my 15 month old (Tony) in the playpen, and waiting for the second to come.
At that time I was with my first husband (which is another story) but anyway, he just loved to dig at Momma, spitefully anyway he could. Now, he was not there with us to watch the raceoff doing his own thing. Butlater, he told Momma, if this baby is a boy I am going to name it Cale, to which my Momma replied.I dont care if you name it S**T, I wont love it any less!!
The baby was named Christopher CaleBUT, only because I was a Cale fan, I couldnt have cared less what his wishes were at that time; Momma knew I did it out of love for Calenot spitefulness. Needless to say, he was out of the picture soon after.
I eventually remarried, to a fellow named Allison!! So, I guess Momma did get the last laugh. You know what? That never occurred to me until nowthats funny. Ill bet it crossed Mommas mind, years ago.but she was way too much of a lady to say it, she would just saybless their heart! That was her!! Thats funny Mommathank you for that.LOL!
My Momma was a beautiful red haired lady, whose hair eventually became snowy white. She had as much fire in her (when needed) as she did love. She was swift to apologize when she felt convicted, but stood firmly by her beliefs.
My Mommas children and grandchildren were a source of joy to her. I remember her telling me that her only reason to keep going was that joy. And the times that she would have medical procedures done, only in order to be able to stay with us. She was in a Nursing Home for several years, had I been physically able to take care of her, I would have done so. She didnt hear well, so I posted a sign over her bed Speak louder, Lifetime Racing Fan.
As her mind began to slowly fade, people would say they didnt know what to talk to her about. I told them she is in here, and we are out there, so talk to her about the price of gas, milk, God, the children and certainly racing. Especially, the drivers and ones that she remembered. I tried in as much as I could; to have them make sure her TV was turned to racing, if no race.sports, or cooking. I would turn the television to something that would feed her Soul, and put a sign on the door asking for it not to be turned, as her Soul was being ministered to.
Momma was tired for so many years, but she hung in there. I had so many plans for us after moving her to Southport, but that was not to be. I had bought her a large flat screen so that she could see it easier. She and I planned on watching this past Februarys Daytona race together, but that was not to be either. The race was rained out, and Momma was in the hospital very sick. We had already made plans though, and I showed up with anything and everything she said she wanted to eat! I made a spread of liver pudding, chicken, biscuits, pound cake, peaches, bread and coffeeLOL We just had a buffet on the end of the bed! The doctors had said give her ANYTHING she wants.and I was trying to do just that! I have her on video that dayeating and saying.I love liver pudding. I remember telling her that Fred Lorenzen (FaceBook) was a friend of mine now, and her looking at me wondering how in the world did I ever do that! LOL
I just had a feeling that dayso before I left, I told her what the doctors had found. She looked at me and asked if she was going to die. I could not do this by myself, so I had the nurse call my brother H.B. from the waiting room. He has always been such a source of strength for me second, only to God. He on one side of her bed, me on the other.I said, Momma it is now between you and God. She passed away two days later, knowing that we were saying it was okay, and you can go see your Momma and loved ones you have missed for so long. When Momma made her mind up to do something, she didnt dilly dally around with it, so this made sense to me.
I got an email the other day from ProFlowers reminding me that it was time to order Mommas birthday flowers again. One, they dont deliver to Heaven and second, they would NEVER compare to the ones she has today.
Yesmy Momma not only taught me about the love of God, Family and Racingbut how you could combine your love for them all. If I pray anything, it is that my children will remember my love and passion for them as well. It is raining today, and I know all about the Holes in The Floor of Heaven thing, but these are not tears of sadness falling, these are happy tearscause, Momma knows I found yall. Thank yall for indulging me.I hope that I can be an inspiration for you.as you ALL are for me. And you know...she so loves the Goat Rodeo! I love yall.and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA.I LOVE YOU!!
updated by @patsy-thompkins-keisler: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
