Thursday, June 11, 2020
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Dear Betsy,
From a spiritual perspective, you directed me to where I needed to be, which became the seed of spirituality in my life. From a musical perspective, you pushed me to choir. And to this day, music is a driving force in my life.
Do you remember the summer of 1972? Or was it ‘73? I’m not sure. It was early high school. I just remember that my parents were still forcing me to go to Sunday School at Parkview Baptist Church in Metairie, LA. It’s the church they sent me to when they wanted alone time on Sunday mornings.
I went to Sunday School for years before with Billy Nichols and Frank Collinsworth who I knew from school and boy scouts. Craig Conerly was there too, who you have since been reintroduced to in heaven. I miss him too. Good for you…and him.
That summer, you invited me to come play softball with the youth group Sunday afternoon in the church field. Since there were no girls at my school, I was extremely willing, and the idea of seeing you there was enticing.
I was not religious. I had no idea about faith. I could tell the Bible Stories, but I had no idea.
That day at softball, you invited me to Youth Choir Practice beginning at 4:30, followed by Training Union (AKA evening Sunday School) and then the evening service. I went.
Sterling May sat next to me and sang in my ear so I would get the tenor parts. He was the best tenor in the choir, so he basically taught me about harmony. Don Tennyson was the choir director. That summer we went on the “choir tour” to the Texas beaches in Freeport. You weren’t there but that trip was life changing for me. I met God there.
Later that summer we dated. During the next school year, you and I danced at all the sock hops after the East Jefferson High School home football games. We learned to jitterbug together to Bette Middler singing the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. I would throw you across my hips and between my legs and we would really cut a rug. We were the dance hit of the party.
And your smile was incredible.
I’ll repeat: From a spiritual perspective, you directed me to where I needed to be which became the seed of spirituality in my life. From a musical perspective, you pushed me to choir. And to this day, music is a driving force in my life.
When we reconnected many years later on Facebook you hadn’t changed a BIT. I admire that. I have changed a lot. You were my second girlfriend, and I was a kid. Due to my diminutive stature, you and your friends called me “squirt flirt”. But you still loved me like you love everyone. You changed my life.
Ultimately, I had the chance to paint this for you. I had no idea it would mean as much as it did, but I was glad it made you happy.
I’ll miss you.
Henry
