Thursday, February 16, 2012
I first learned to pray as a little girl when my Uncle Tom was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1964. The entire family was devastated by his departure. When he returned, he would never talk very much about what happened there, what horrors he must have witnessed, the losses he suffered. For all the sacrifices he and others made, the American people did not receive their boys back like they should have, but our family was proud of his service and grateful to get him back, and he was so happy to get out of there.
He moved to Kansas City and worked at the Hallmark factory for several years. His cousin Clark, a best friend like a brother, moved to California. Uncle Tom followed him there and lived there for a long time. Then he lived in Wisconsin for awhile. He moved to Osage Beach, Missouri to live close to his sister (my mom). We had a wonderful loving family. Because of him, and all the other people that God blessed me with in my life, I had an incredible childhood full of love and so much fun! I had great memories of farming at Scott City when I was small, and then later we would spend our summer days camping in trailers, fishing, water skiing, and boating. My grandparents John & Marcella Mallo, my mom, and Uncle Tom would always talk about the Scott City folks, and I should have paid more attention to who they were talking about. They loved you folks dearly.
I have so many fond memories of the impact Uncle Tom had on my life, especially as a child. I used to love going to A&W Drive up for dinner with him. He would always send the best toys at Christmas for me and my little brothers.
I don't think he ever recovered from losing both his parents and then his precious sister. Then we cried together when both my little brothers passed away. His greatest last companion was his dog that he loved, Duke. They both got cancer together, and it broke Uncle Tom's heart when he had to put his dog down. He himself fought this lung cancer for a long time and had a wonderful lady named Ann that helped him so very much.
I will miss him and the rest of my wonderful family I have lost. I miss Cedar Bluff Lake and I miss playing poker with my family. I will miss my Uncle Tom, but I find comfort in the knowledge that one day in heaven I will reunite with my beloved family that I have lost, and like my fondest memories, we will enjoy the simple beauty of each other's company. My words now would be to hold your family and let them know how much you love them. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
God Bless you Uncle Tom, your loving niece, Mary K. Adams, Brooksville, Florida
