Imagine & Jimmy Carter

Is anybody else uneasy with John Lennon's song Imagine being sung at Jimmy Carter's funeral?

Jimmy Carter lived a life of service to the Lord God of Heaven, the maker of Heaven and Hell. He spent his life preaching that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  He very seriously believed in Heaven and Hell and worked diligently to spread this knowledge to others so he would in turn see them in Heaven.

This song is the opposite of what Jimmy Carter believed and I think he would have been very sad to hear it song at his funeral.

He did not preach for people to "live for today," he preached for them to live for eternity.

Singing this song at his funeral seems insanely reductive to his life of preaching the gospel:

"Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too....."

I'm in Perfect Health... Except....

Sitting on a swiveling chair, I so casually said "My mom died this year," and I added "Unexpectedly" as if that explains everything.

The doctor glanced my way and, upon some mental calculation that I was not breaking apart, turned back to her computer. I can see her thinking... Okay. Mom's dead. Let's check that off our list.

I wanted to grab her sleeve, her sparkling white medical coat, her RUXINGX Smartwatch constipated with its information of her steps, her heart rate and her deep sleep patterns.

"No!!" I wanted to say. "It's not a box to check on MyChart that will spread out among states and doctor's offices.... blood pressure is good, weight is high, mother died, no allergies to drugs. "

"No, I beg you, this is important." I want to explain. "I haven't taken a breath since the end of June."

The doctor examines me. " Let me listen to your heart," she says, pulling out her stethoscope and squinting her eyes. She pats the examination table, "Hop up here."

Yes, an examination table, I think. That's what I need. Listen to my heart. It broke June 18th. It was in a slow decline for a week and then boom, broke, just listen!

I breathe deep, several times. She listens and nods accordingly, "Yes that's good!" she nods.

"No!!" I want to scream. "Don't you hear? Nothing! Nada. Empty heart. Didn’t you hear me?? My. Mom. Died.

I can't say this. My voice catches in my throat. My body betrays me and seizes up.

"OK then," she helps me off the table like I'm a tottering old woman.

"See you in six months!!" She cheerfully smiles. I am speechless. Really? 6 months? I'll be better? Six more months without my mom and you think I'll be fine.

I tuck the appointment card in my purse and hope. 

In Which We Bring Back Cousin David....Again

So. I crossed the N. Edisto and much later, the Saluda and Broad, hung a hard left and later crossedtheCatawba at 751 feet above sea level in search of CousinDavid.

I found him in a corner of my dad's house in a city of 2,400,000 bringing in the new year. He looks low-key, but watch out. He's a real hum-dinger after midnight. He's just subdued here in a mashed potato, ham and apple bread induced stupor. And? You might notice he has aged a decade. But don't say anything.

Speaking of hum-dingers, 2024 was a rough one. We ushered 2025 humbly bowed in prayer after prayer. I hesitate to say this, lean in close and I'll whisper. I think '25 will be a good year. I know, right? Look at me, allpositive and everything.

I have to say that 2024 did produce something good.... baby Niall!

Such a happy baby! Like 2024 is the best thing that ever happened to him.

But back to CousinDavid.

He brought me some eggs from his chickens. Rain or shine, holiday or not, he delivers. In a fluke of Brilliance, CousinDavid sold his city house and moved out to the country since you've heard from him. He chases snakes and all.

Between the eggs, the Tacky Tour and New Year's Eve, we spent a lot of time together. It was so fun to see him again. And I know my faithful readers have wondered where he's been. So here's the tea.

TheLittleMissus has kept him busy out on the new farm, ain't she a keeper?!  She's my favorite on account of how we endured a doosie of a situation together one time.