MASHED POTATOES

Back Row L to R : Anna Ruth holding Jane Ellen, Billy holding Joe David, Jeane, Joe holding K. Joe.

Front Row L to R: Uncle B with me in his lap, Pole, Grandy, Mama, Daddy.

This photo was taken in the living room of my grandparent's house. It probably wasn't long before the death of my grandfather. We all spent a lot of time in this house, gathering to settle ourselves around the kitchen table, to celebrate birthdays or holidays, to talk and listen, just to be there.

As usual, I found my way to sit in Uncle B's lap. Pictures show that this was my favorite place to sit. I can't remember when this picture was taken but I can remember the comfort of being with my Uncle B. He never gave me a harsh word or looked at me without anything but love.

Uncle B was always up for fun, meals being no exception. Mashed potatoes were usually a part of any meal we had at my grandmother's house. We would all gather around the big round table in the kitchen, me always sitting by Uncle B. When the mashed potatoes came to us, I knew what was going to happen. He would ask me if I wanted potatoes, and I did. The spoon would go deep into the fluffy heap of mashed potatoes, slowly Uncle B would take it out, hold it high above my plate, with a quick flick of his wrist the potatoes would leave the spoon where they would splat all over my plate, and often on the table and me. I thought it was the funniest thing ever. After we finished eating, we would all go to the living room. I listened to every story Uncle B told and as always, I was sitting close to him.