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I am waking up this morning in the land of my birth. The land of Elvis, Faulkner and magnolia trees. It is a bittersweet homecoming. I love coming back here and it has been much too long since I have journeyed this way. I love bringing my child here and seeing her face lit up by a horse, or a cow or the dogs that play at our feet. Today, however, I am sad to be home. Those of us who are here, have traveled here to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of one of the best men God ever put on this earth. My Uncle Nate, my second father. I, although technically an only child, have somehow been blessed with four parents and two brothers, three sister-in-laws, two nieces, one nephew, and now one grand niece. How, you may ask is this possible?

Well, a long time ago, my father and mother came to this small town to be pastor of a tiny country church. This was long before I was even thought about in this world. They spent weekends here, and then traveled back to seminary for the weekly classes. It was custom in those days, that the preacher stay each weekend at a parishioner's home, since the church did not have a pastor's home. So, each weekend, my parents headed here, and spent the weekend in a different spot. No real home on those trips. Finally they were able to stay with one couple, close in age to them, who had two small boys. The foursome hit it off, and it was determined that on the weekends, my parents would stay at this one home, and be "at home" no more guests in someone else's place. This is how it started. From that time on, there has always been a room designated for my folks, eventually for me, and then some time ago, my parents bought a home here as well. This couple, Nate, Nell and their two sons, Joey and Andy, became family. When I came along, much to my brother Andy's chagrin, I became family as well. They welcomed me as a daughter, and became my Uncle Nate and Aunt Nell. They were my appointed legal guardians, should something happen to my folks, they were/are closer than any of my actual blood relatives. They are my second set of parents. Although the boys were much older than me I still have always considered them my brothers, and the women they eventually married have always been to me like sisters. I have always confused people talking about my brothers, nephews, nieces and such. Truthfully, it is just fun to watch them wonder.

The death of my Uncle Nate was expected. But it has hit me in an unexpectedly harsh way. He had been sick for a while,

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