I'Ll Be Back To Stay - Both Audio and Text

“I’m sorry that it’s been so long,” the old man told the tombstones, scanning them that brisk fall day, in 1969. “It’s not that I’ve forgotten you. It’s not that I’m not proud that each and every one of you’s a relative of mine, “But living down in New Orleans, it’s hard to make it back. We had to move in ‘45 so I could keep my job. Now we’ve got a bunch of grandkids. Dave and Joan have three, and seven more - four boys, three girls - belong to Sue and Rob. Addressing one small plaque, he said, “Lorraine, you drove on down to meet the grandkids just a couple weeks before you died, Yet, even though they’d only met you eighteen days before, Beth and I were deeply moved to see how hard they cried. Aiming once again another comment at the headstones, he continued, chuckling softly, “I can still recall Trying hard to help the younger kids to understand how they were…in different ways…related to you all. “Beth’s a whole lot better at that sort of thing than me…got a better mem’ry, even though - you’re not her kin! Be fun to bring them back sometime and take another shot…though - without Beth - I guarantee, I’d mess it up again. “How ya’ doin’, Uncle Roy? Still smokin’ them cigars? I can still remember when you let me take a puff. And bless your heart there, Grandpa Jake, you taught me how to whistle, how to tie a walleye lure, and other nifty stuff. “And you, Priscila Bingham, made the greatest rhubarb pie I’ve ever had the fortune to deposit on my tongue. And you - her husband, Orville - were the black sheep of the fam’ly. I was told they found you at the elevator…hung! Hey there, Uncle Chester, you were Father’s favorite brother. Many times he’s bragged about your pretty singing voice. Neither he nor Mom can hold a tune and, every Sunday…sadly…sitting someplace far away is not a choice. People sitting next to them will try to drown them out by singing extra loud, but, take my word…it doesn’t help. Sometimes little kids ‘ll stare and, when their parents poke ‘em, it always makes me chuckle down inside to hear them yelp! Howdy, Aunt Rebecca. This ‘ll prob’ly tick you off. Last night on a cooking show I’m glad you didn’t see - Some old gal was claiming that her “apple marmalade” was something she’d invented! But, of course…that couldn’t be! You were canning tons of marmalade when I was young. Including apple. I should know…I used to pick a bunch, Then ride them out to your place in the basket on my bike, for which you’d always pay me with a tasty little lunch. And, Stella, you’re the only one who never came at Christmas, even though we loved you so…and…maybe I’m not right… But all that I can think of - that would make you stay away - is…ain’t no way to say it nicely, Stella…you were ‘tight!’ Exchanging names for buying gifts was simply not your style, and sending cards was also something else you never did, But why you never tied the knot - as pretty as you were - is something I’ve been puzzled by since I was just a kid. Years ago I overheard my mom and Aunt Deloris talkin’ about how - just before she married Uncle Ted - You spent several months with friends of Ted’s in San Francisco, coming back the Friday they adopted cousin Fred. Looking through the photographs of you from way back then, you’re - by far - the finest looking gal in every one, And all the ones of Freddy - from a child to full grown man - always make me wonder if he might have been your son. I don’t really need to know, so I won’t bother Mother, but it’s not hard to think so when I see him laid to rest Not with those who raised him from a child, but, here, by you! And if it’s true, I wonder …was it his, or your, request? Mom and Dad are doing well. Both are quite forgetful. Howard had a minor stroke a year ago this May. Mom’s all done with chemo, and to help them stay in shape, her and he will walk around the block most every day. Almost all the rest of you are kin I never knew, but, even so, I’m really glad I got this chance today To stop and chat, an’, by the way- it won’t be all that long - ‘til “what will be - will be,” of course…and - I’ll be back to stay.