Southern Hospitality

 I am a southern Christian through and through. I believe in being kind to people. I believe in being hospitable. I rarely "speak my mind" or even defend myself when someone is rude to me. I just don't. But when my brother, Ronnie, called and told me that it had happened again, that you had struck yet again, I was furious. I got fighting mad, said a few words, felt guilty about succumbing to my anger, and then I cried. I just cant go to sleep tonight with this on my mind and weighing my heart. So, I just wanted to take a minute to step outside my comfort zone and tell you just what I think about you....

The first time you did it, I made excuses for you. I thought maybe you needed them. I told myself that you wanted to do the right thing for your loved one, but times were hard and you made one, emotionally driven, bad choice. I actually felt bad for you! I prayed for you! But, my sympathy quickly faded when you did it again, and again, and again.

 I'd like to know how you do it. How? Is there any guilt? Do you feel anything as you're walking away? Do you just walk up and down the rows until you find what you're looking for? Or is it just hers? Do you not like me or my brothers? Did you not like her? Is there ever a moment when you think to yourself "maybe I shouldn't..."? I like to think you do have a conscience. However, as many times as you've done it, I'm not sure how you could. What drives you?

On second thought, I know EXACTLY what drives you.... Or who drives you, I should say.

 That's not just some random rock that found it's way out there. We picked it out for her. And as eager as we were to put it out there, it was the moment that everything got real. It was carved in stone at that point, literally. Speaking of real, my mom was real. My brothers and I are real people too, ya know? We really exist. We work and we use our earnings to honor her memory. We still cry over her all the time. Though we know she is not there, we go there to remember her. Not that you care, but I want to tell you how great she was. She really was! She was everything to us. Everything. She was so funny. She was really hilarious. Her laugh was hearty and filled a room so contagiously, that you had to laugh with her. She was a straight shooter. She would tell you "like it is" in a minute, but in a likable way.... A respectable way. She was loving. She loved people with all of her heart. She'd put gas in a stranger's car when she didn't have enough money to pay her own bills. She touched so many lives in small ways and in big ways, but always in good ways. Not like you. She was very different from you. She was the hardest worker and the most determined individual that God ever made. That lady worked until her feet hurt so bad that she cried. She squalled. My brothers and I watched her keep putting one foot in front of the other, even though she was exhausted. She was self sufficient and she raised us to be the same way. Sometimes that means going from can to can't and sacrificing luxuries to pay for the necessities. The first time she took a hand out, it was only because the people that loved her INSISTED. See, unlike you, she worked and made her own way until her body physically failed her. When the cancer conquered her, she accepted the help..... but it broke her heart. She documented in a old spiral notebook all the folks that reached out to her. You want to know why? Because she didn't feel entitled... She felt grateful. She planned to pay each of them back when she got well.

But she never got well.

Her departure is why we have had the displeasure of getting to know you.

Because we do know you....

We know enough.

 As I write this to you, I understand that the chances of you actually reading it are very slim. Folks like you don't do much reading. You don't do much of anything productive. Well, I suppose you might check the jail docket here and there to see what old friends are up to. But I'm going to take my chances and hope that some way, some how, these words make their way to you.

That spot you love.... That shady spot under that old tree, SHE picked out that spot. She pointed it out to us when she knew she was dying. It wasn't easy for us, ya know? We honored her wishes. That spot, (the same one you cant stay away from), and the memories in our hearts--that's all we have left of her. Please think about what you're doing.

STOP STEALING THE FLOWERS OFF OF MY MAMA'S GRAVE.

So here's the deal, we have taken LOTS of precautions to catch you in the act. And WHEN we see who you are, so will the Sheriff's Department. And lucky for you, you'll get to catch up with your old friends one on one.

 I battled with whether or not to write this. I don't want to behave Godless, like you. You should know that it is because of my very real love for God and His presence in my life, that this letter looks very, very different than it would otherwise. Because it would look a lot different.

Trust me.

............And since I am a Christian, I am going to walk away from this letter with the heaviness gone from my heart.

I will pray for you, yet again.

And I will pray for me.

Before I go, I really need to warn you about your actions..... I know who you're in cahoots with. I know he's whispering in your ear, and whether you realize it or not, he's got ahold of you.

Stop listening to him.

Hanging out with the likes of that one will land you in a place down south that doesn't offer a whole lot of hospitality.

You don't need my forgiveness....

But you sure need to be asking the Good Lord for His, before it's too late.