By Mary Murphy

New Enon News

Season Greetings.

Sitting and thinking about the past holidays as a child, my grandfather William Clinton Fondren came to mind. He was tall, red and bald, with all of his teeth. He was a handsome man. Mr. William, he was called by my grandmother (Ms. Gussie). He was also called Pa Bill by may family members.

He would walk the road barefooted with his boots in his hand with his many dogs trailing behind.

Mr. William would arrive at the East Batesville Church of God in Christ. He would go inside and pray and sing to the glory of God. His dogs would remain outside until he completed the task at hand.

Mr. William loved peppermint candy. We would purchase him a large candy stick from Goldsmith’s every year until our mother (Earnia) said it was too much for him. I enjoyed seeing the smile on his face that lit up like a Christmas tree.

He always went hunting at night and came back with wild game. I never saw the animals but there was always something smelling delicious on the wood stove and biscuits with homemade butter on top of them. When everything was ready, she (Ms. Gussie) would call “O, Mr. William.” He knew it was time to eat.

I often think of how wonderfully blessed we are and were to have grandparents who are a big part of who we became. Our grandparents were not much on communication, but they instilled in us character and work ethics, love for God and family fellow man.

Mr. William or Pa Bill was a man who loves and taught music 4/4 times. Do Ra Me Fa So La Ti Do, along with Jess Hines who was his cousin. They had many instruments. I remember seeing ukuleles hanging on the wall and other instruments. My father, Bishop Elvage Fondren Sr., was a fantastic guitarist.

Jess Hines and Pa Bill (Mr. William) also carved wood items while sitting on the porch, watching the beauty of the day go by.

Today we spend our days dealing with issues that serve no purpose. I often think of One nation under God. We are a nation of blessings but do we know it? Not really knowing the power we have in one another.

While playing with your electronic devices, take time to check on your neighbors whose memories have long past.