Life’s Seasons
LIFE
I have dreamed many dreams that never came true, I have seen them vanish at dawn.
But I’ve realized enough of my dreams, Thank God, To make me want to dream on.
I have prayed many prayers when no answer came. Though I waited patient and long.
But answers have come to enough of my prayers. To make me keep praying on.
I have trusted many a friend that failed,
And left me to weep alone.
But I’ve found enough of my friends true blue. To make me keep trusting on.
I have sown many seed that fell by the way,
For the birds to feed upon.
But I’ve held enough golden sheaves in my hand, To make me keep sowing on.
I have drained the cup of disappointment, and pain, And gone many days without song.
But I’ve sipped enough nectar from the roses of life, To make me want to live on.
This nectar I’ve sipped is from Gods store house, And I’ll sip as long as I roam.
There’s a bountiful supply that will never run dry. And I’ll sip ‘til the Lord calls me home.
Many of you remember my father, Jesse Hardin. After his death, I found this poem, with the simple title "Life" and by an unknown author, among his favorite things. Although perhaps no great literary merit nor any profound new truths are found in the poem, I think it expresses well how we often feel.
The poem is also a reminder to me of my father’s optimistic view of life in spite of a life of hardship and grief. His mother died when he was sixteen. His father, a sharecropper and blacksmith, reared him and his three younger brothers in the Arkansas delta. Daddy had an eighth-grade education. He came to Mississippi as a nineteen-year-old road construction worker. Here he met Mother and they were married and began their family. While a young husband and father, he experienced an injury which required surgery and lengthy hospitalization. He and Mother lost a baby boy in an automobile accident. Later he lost one of his arms in an accident. My mother struggled with cancer and died an early death, and brother had a tragic life as an alcoholic and committed suicide at 35. Daddy had a severe heart attack at fifty-six.
Yet, in spite of these hurts, disappointments, and grief, he continued his life strong in his faith in God. He claimed the promise of Romans 8:28 and drew strength in knowing that God greatly loves us. Not only did he live as a Christian, he lived as a joyous Christian. He just would not allow room in his life for those things which we often permit to weigh us down.
I once overheard a conversation when Daddy was asked to teach a Sunday School class for high school boys. Humbly he said to the fine Christian gentleman with a doctorate in pharmacy, "You know, all those boys are better educated now than I am. How can I teach them?" Dr. Nobles replied, "Jesse, it’s your life we want them to see." Truly, Daddy’s life was one from which much could be learned.
I remember the last time I stood beside Daddy. He put his arm around me with a big hug and said, "Sweetheart, you remember your old daddy is thinking about you and loving you when you don’t even know it." This has been a reminder to me that God is just that way--loving us and thinking of us when we don’t even know it.
My life has not been as hard as Daddy’s, and my faith is not as strong. Some of you who read this, know how terrible hurt can be. You have been there too. We here at the funeral home have seen the shock, bewilderment, and agonizing grief which accompany the loss of someone dear. We have shared your grief and have been inspired and strengthened by those who have walked with the Lord through dark hours.
I recently read the book, Victory in the Valley of Life, by Reverend Charles L. Allen, and for the first time, I saw "Life" In print. In the book, Reverend Allen examines the valleys faced in life and shows us how to walk through them in faith, coming out safely on the other side. Dr. Allen outlines 24 steps-- all down-to-earth, biblical, and helpful -- to help us maintain peace in our lives, None of us are exempt from disappointments and heartaches, although some seem to experience more than others. What we must remember in order to survive is that God loves us and promises to be with us through the valleys.
Seasons has become very special to us. We all feel that this newsletter is like a personal visit with you. Your response by telephone and notes has helped us know that you are enjoying this contact with your funeral home. The relationship of funeral home and families is unique. We treasure the confidence you place in us, and we are committed to being worthy of your trust.
As we are moving from spring into summer, we hope you will have a safe summer filled with work and other activities you find rewarding and relaxing.
SINCERELY,
Patsy
Membership in the Order of the Golden Rule
We are proud of our continuing membership in the Order of the Golden Rule for it signifies that we meet the highest standards of our profession and that we have been judged worthy of any family’s trust. Membership in this Order is restricted to funeral directors who have proven that they provide completely trustworthy services for families of all incomes. Before we could be admitted to this organization, families we had served were asked to evaluate frankly our assistance. That they recommended us without reservation is your assurance of our reliability.
Our membership signifies that you can depend on us for the truly considerate type of service that we would expect in our own hour of need. It signifies that our primary interest is in your needs and wishes, and that, regardless of your financial circumstances, we will do our utmost in your behalf.
WALLER FUNERAL HOME’S PRENEED INFLATION-PROOF FUNERAL PLAN
Pre-arrangement is one of the fastest growing concepts in the area of funeral service. (You may have seen a plan for pre-arrangement offered through television ads by a funeral home in a neighboring city.) At Waller Funeral Home, we too offer pre-arrangement of funeral services through several different plans which are adaptable to meet your particular circumstances.
A prepayment plan whereby you can make payments over a specified time period for a complete funeral for as little as $17.66 per month is available. This plan includes all professional services, including opening and closing the grave; equipment, including a warranty-protected twenty-gauge steel casket and outer container (though none is required by law); and facilities. The average cost of plans for services and merchandise that have been selected is $25.
Another alternative is total prepayment, which offers some discounts. With either plan, upon payment of the first monthly payment or payment in full, the price is frozen at the day’s prices.
The price will never increase, guaranteeing you protection against inflation. Response to this plan has been overwhelming. Pre-arrangement is suitable for the financial situations of many families, and the pre-arrangement plans are available regardless of health or age.
All funds paid into pre-arrangement are invested in a federally insured trust account. We invest 100 percent of the money for your protection. Our contracts are prepared in compliance with all laws governing prepaid funeral services.
We are prepared to come to the privacy of your home with pictures of caskets available, all information concerning prices and payment plans, and contracts for the plans. Of course, you are always welcome in the funeral home office to select and finalize plans. Patsy Waller, Bob Rosson, Bobby Phelps, or Terry Robbins are available at your convenience to discuss the plans. Just call us at 662- 234-7971, and we will be glad to set up a time to discuss pre-arrangement with you.
IN MEMORIAM
We dedicate this issue of SEASONS to those who have died and whose families we have served from March 4, 1985 through May 27, 1985.
We deeply regret that the name of Mr. John R. Hollowell, who died on January 28, 1985 was omitted in this list in our winter newsletter. When we began publication of these lists, we dreaded the possibility that we might some day omit a name, and great care is taken in preparing the list. We appreciate the graciousness and understanding of Mrs. Hollowell and her children in accepting our apologies for this error.
Mrs. Lillian Russell Bickerstaff 3-4-85
Mrs. Mamie Moore Houston 3-4-85
Mr. William Cleburn Vines 3-8-85
Mrs. Dixie Virginia Jackson Duke 3-9-85
Mrs. Louise Sugg Lawrence 3-13-85
Mrs. Kitty Bells Fitch Elmore 3-17-85
Mrs. Mary Catherine Brassel Roberts 3-18-85
Mr. James R. Stephens 3-22-85
Mrs. Ruth Brown Waller 3-22-85
Mrs. Elizabeth Miller Brownville 3-27-85
Mrs. Louise Waller Moss 4-4-85
Mrs. Martha Leuschen Nagel 4-7-85
Mr. Joe Loy Beard 4-7-85
Mrs. Nancy Crosby Duran 4-9-85
Mr. Newt King 4-10-85
Mrs. Mary Smith Ales Walls 4-11-85
Mr. Daniel C. Myers 4-13-85
Ms. Wilda Cole 4-19-85
Mr. John Evan Franklin 4-20-85
Mrs. Ruth Harms Pankratz 4-25-85
Ms. Debra. Kahoon Bush 4-25-85
Mrs. Della Holland Sullender 4-28-85
Mr. Preston "Buck" Smith Davis 4-28-85
Mr. George Levi Jennings 4-30-85
Mrs. Effie Dart Watson 4-30-85
Mr. Robert A. Butler, Sr. 5-3-85
Mrs. Lula "Toni" Tuma Purnell 5-6-85
Mrs. Ruth Satterwhite Butler 5-11-85
Mr. George Shuler 5-11-85
Mrs. Mary Deckard Malone 5-12-85
Mr. Fannie Murphey Phelps Koonce 5-17-85
Mrs. Mabel Murry Roy 5-20-85
Mr. Horace G. Ward 5-27-85
BE SUCH A MAN
Be such a man, and live such a life,
That if every man were such as you,
And every life a life like yours,
This earth would be God’s Paradise.
PHILLIP BROOKS
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