Big Sis

As it stands presently my sister June and I are the last of our generation of the Homer Smith family to remain alive. June is three years older than me and she has forever been my guiding  influence within the family. I'm sure that she will attest that I've not always been a willing follower of instruction. I've always easily gone astray. She's always loved me and excused my mistaken judgement in a very kind and loving way. It was truly a wonderful life to have had a very mature older brother and sister to look out for you when you goofed in any way at all. Homer was born in 1933, June was born in 1940 and I was born in 1943. We had an older sister named Rose ( named for Daddy's Mama I think but I'm not certain) who did not survive. Baby Rose lived only a few weeks as she was an open spine baby which I understand was not real uncommon back at that time. At any rate Mama and Daddy reared the three of us at McIntosh during the "glory years". I have always thought that I have lived the most enchanted life of any age.

Our rearing was aided with our third parent's constant support and observation. I am speaking of Em who loved all three of us as much as our Mama and Daddy did. The household which was a wonderful home simply overflowed with love and understanding. We were all blessed indeed. And I was probably what might be called "the black sheep" of the family. As cousin Edward said long ago "every family's got one". Never-the-less I always felt good about myself even during the darkest of days because of my families undying support of me no matter what. My big sister was always there for me as she remains today. She has always loved me "warts and all". For this I will always be grateful. And I've had a few "warts and barnacles" if you know what I mean.

As it stands we are in our sundown years and I've always enjoyed telling stories about things I remembered along this path we call life. I am going to attempt in this tale to recount my memories, all of them as correctly and honestly as my abilities allow. In advance I'm grateful to my family and wonderful circle of friends for making this story possible. Today my big sister continues to be my rock.