I always thought of my Uncle Lacy as just an ordinary man until later in life and now then I can see him in a different light.

I realize now that he was my rescuer on more than one occasion.

It was Sunday morning and we had lots of company that particular weekend. There was some good-looking cousins from the city that made my heart go flip flop even though I was only three. They had spent the night at our house.

This morning Pop and all the guys had gone to the barn.

Pop fed the horses and milked the cow and they were all standing around talking. June ( my favorite name for my brother, Junior.) and I were there too. There was a loft beside the stalls that was about six feet high. Just high enough so five year old June and I could climb up there on a wooden rack but I never could get down without help.

When the chores were done (while still enrapt in their conversation) the men started for the house for their breakfast of squirrel meat and biscuits and gravy. They had forgotten all about June and me . Not to bother June jumped down , but I was afraid. having already jumped before and I knew it would hurt my stomach if I jumped. So there I was forsaken and forgotten , and I got this big ole lump in my throat and I began to cry.

Meanwhile back at the house someone noticed that I was missing and Uncle Lacy volunteered to come and get me . I was so happy to see him . He picked me up off of the high ledge saying , "come on Rose let's go home." and he carried me all the way.

When I was six years old and in the first grade of school when the first big snow of the winter left our hillside a slippery and snowy mess. The school bus let us off at our home and there I was , I could not get up the hill. Everytime I made a step I would slide back two steps. June on the otherhand "said come on Rose go real fast ." and he would be up to the top of that little grade before the slipping started . Well I tried and I tried and I struggled , but I kept slidding back down. I began to cry. June went on up the rest of the hill to tell about my plight and guesss who but Uncle Lacy in his big knee high boots came and picked me up and carried me up the hill, saying all the while "'Come on Rose let's go home."

Then there was the cold hard winter of 1935-36. I don't remember what Mom and Pop got me for that Christmas, but I do remember that Uncle Lacy bought me two new dresses with long sleeves and long skirt . One was a brown tone print and a matching one with blue tone print. These were the first store bought dresses I ever remember having. I was so proud to have two new dresses.

So now when I think of him I realize that I never ever thought of "Uncle Lace." as good looking or flambouyant like some of my cousins, but there were so many times that he was there for me just when I needed him.

Posted 12/17/2004