Heaven's Bay

  I used to get phone calls about every two weeks from Uncle Alfred.  We would chat about everything under the sun from politics to gardening. We did not always see eye to eye on everything but there was never the least bit of animosity between us. I respected his views because he was wise and had a lot more knowledge than I do.  He respected mine merely because he was a gentle, kind man.  During these phone conversations, he always managed to give a bit of sage advice...even when I was not asking.  This advice was appreciated since I knew it was given with a kind heart.  I have to admit that I usually followed his advice even after sometimes grumbling about it!  More oft than not, he was right and I needed his counseling!

 Not all of our conversations were about the worries of the world, though, as he usually wanted to hear about how the fishing was down around the Bayou.  Before he moved to Missouri, he and Aunt Marie used to live just a stone's throw away from the Little Bayou House.  Together, they did a lot of fishing, crabbing and shrimping in these waters.  As matter of fact, their pier was where I caught my very first crab using a handline and a dead catfish!  I spent countless hours on their pier fishing for croakers and crabbing with my cousin.  Thus, it was only natural that the conversations between us always turned to bait, fish and tides.  Not a conversation went by without him stating that he would love to come home to go fishing just one more time.  Even though we both knew that this was not possible, we did, indeed, make plans for him to do just that.  He called our plans "Dreams".  He did this to let me know that he was well aware of the fact that his age did not allow him to just "up and drive down to the Bayou".  I promised that a room in the Little Bayou House was always open to him.  Our dream never came true.

  Just two days before his 100th birthday, Uncle Alfred passed away.  It was far too soon by my thinking.  His life, though lengthy in years was far too fleeting.  I still had much to learn.  He was from a generation when men were trustworthy, honest and generous.  He was from a generation that has passed leaving us with big shoes to fill.  I am afraid that not many today can even come close.  I will miss you, Uncle Alfred. My cousin, Bill, made the statement that he thought that his dad and mom were up fishing in Heaven's Bay.  That struck me as being so perfect.   So Uncle Alfred, here's to hoping you and Aunt Marie can catch the "big one" up in Heaven's Bay!