We reunited with James dear family friends this past weekend. Making the drive only two hours north of Friendswood, we arrived to a 375 beautiful track of land inhabited by the nicest couple you would ever want to meet. For as long as I have known my husband, L.C. and Cathy Courtney have been referred to as the only grandparents he has left. Losing all of his grandparents before I ever met and married my sweet James, Jerry and Susan's sweet Sunday school teachers from their church in Texas City became an important piece of James' family tree. James will tell of his family's sweet relationship with them and how Cathy was actually the lady who was with him when he came to Christ. A mirror image of Christ's love, it was easy to see why the Hamon family loves them so.
We arrived just before lunch. As soon as we ate, James and Sadie were out the door and mounting the red four-wheeler. Sadie was brimming with excitement as her contagious energy and happiness bubbled over in her tiny toddler grin. Squealing with excitement, Daddy rode Sadie all around while the rest of us worked to pull on coats and gloves; we were clearly caught off-guard by the wonderful chill in the air!
Riding around the property reminded me so much of my childhood days spent in Leona, TX. Having not been to the property in a very long time, I felt emotion swell within me as I took in the beauty of God's creation. Memory after memory crept their way into my mind. I thought of my Granddaddy Sharp, the little red house, the giant oak tree with the burnished red swing hanging from its limb, camp fires by the creek, walking through the pasture, and visiting the Leona General Store. I have always enjoyed reading Thoreau and Emerson due to their ardent passion for nature. There is something wonderful about the rhetoric of place. A special place can draw you in, keep your spirit warm, and leave you feeling refreshed. I found just as I was remembering, so too were Susan, James, and Jerry. It was a weekend of remembering. Coming through a clearing, Susan told of the last time they were on the property together. James couldn't have been past elementary school. She recounted how a four-wheeler left them "stuck" in the rain in one pasture. As wet (and probably miserable) as they might have been, the experience turned joyful as they watched in amazement a cow give birth to a baby calf.
The "cow story" wasn't the only one told. We laughed until we cried watching old movies of L.C., Cathy, Jerry and Susan in old movies as they danced and sang in performances and parties held at their Texas City church home. Sadie was shocked to see Su Su "on TV" as she rushed up to the screen and pointed her out, all while Cathy and L.C. were so sweet to keep rewinding the tape for her to see her Su Su and Poppy again.
Our short visit was also filled with sweet conversation. Jerry and L.C. sat in the living room catching up and talking as old friends do, while Susan and Cathy prepared food and enjoyed interacting with Sadie (who happened to love Cathy's awesome wooden toys from her kids' childhood).
Sadie not only loved the toys at the Courtney home, but also the people themselves. She quickly fell into Cathy's arms upon arrival and showered them with hugs, thank yous and stickers. I think everyone at the dinner table sat proudly with a Dora the Explorer sticker.
Saturday morning we woke to a happy group ready for Cathy's delicious country breakfast. She said that is the only option when you are eating on the farm! Everyone gladly agreed and we ate our fill of biscuits with honey, bacon, sausage, and fruit. Cathy even had a small white chair for Sadie, toddler-sized cutlery, and a Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck placemat. After breakfast, we raced outside for another round on the four-wheelers. Cathy and L.C. joined us this time and we meandered all over the property in perfect weather.
Sadie most enjoyed picking up flowers and moss from each of our stops. Poppy offered an in-depth course to Sadie, working to teach her all the names of plants he spotted. I think the only ones remembered by Sadie were "Spanish Moss" and "Chroton" (have no clue on those spellings, Poppy). Sadie was enamored by the vastness of the countryside and seemed so happy to be on our fun outdoor adventure. Sadie also told Daddy that she wanted to drive the four-wheeler, but we thought it best to wait a few more years before turning her loose by herself. I think Mommy's exact words were, "Sadie, you can drive when your 30."
Of all my favorite pictures, I really liked the images captured of Sadie and Poppy. They were looking at the water and I snapped a couple, thinking to myself what a sweet blessing for Sadie to know both her Grandfathers.
Sadie also made great use of the vintage Fisher Price camera, snapping pictures of everyone. She even stretched her arm out, motioning for James and I to "get together" as she then instructed us to "Say cheese!" We had such a wonderful time together. We pulled away from the Courtney's home and all agreed that a visit back soon will be entirely necessary. How sweet it is to relish in fellowship with one another.
