Pastor Buddy’s Blog

My adobe hacienda…

Filed in Devotions & Studies |

Journal,

Looks like I’m on memory lane again today. You’ll just have to put up with me.

As a child of the 40s, I have some sweet memories from that era. Some of these memories have to do with the music that came out during and after WWII. But before I share a bit of that music, let me share a bit of personal information on my youth.

I was born August 21, 1940. On September 21, 1940, we were moving to Portsmouth, Virginia, where mom and dad would work in the Naval ship yards. Passing through Mississippi, we had an automobile accident. Mom had me in her arms. When she looked at me, I was covered with blood. However, the blood was her own. I was not harmed. We did make it to Portsmouth.

February 1944, mom and dad began separation proceedings. Mom received legal custody of myself and Bertie. (We had been in Virginia about 3 1/2 years.) Mom left for California to secure employment and then arrange for us to come. She stayed with Uncle Holiday.

We lived in California from March, 1944, to February, 1949. (5 years) Those were my formative years and the years of my childhood memories. I really don’t remember anything about Virginia. (I was 3 years when we moved to California.)

It was April 27, 1946, that mom married Ross Figueora. Julia was born in 1947. It was during mom’s marriage to Ross that I fell in love with both the Mexican culture and Mexican music. After mom’s divorce from Ross we returned to Louisiana in 1949. So the first nine years of my life I was a misplaced Louisianian.

It seems the music of that era was much more laid back than much of what you hear today. One that I remember was titled ‘My Adobe Hacienda.’ Here it is if you care to hear it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qv2l2M5MCYw&mode=related&search=

Well, so much for the music. I’m really not into music that isn’t gospel.

Now for the memory. What I did not realize is what while I was a wee lad in Virginia, a beautiful blue eyed baby girl was born on May 27, 1943, in Bennington, Oklahoma. This blue eyed girl was destined to become the wife of my dreams. Of course at 2 years of age I wasn’t much interested in wifey things.

Isn’t it interesting how God weaves lives together. Betty and I had both been engaged to different people and had broken off the engagements. She was waiting on her true love. And when I got out of the Navy in 1963, one of the last things I said to my shipmates was that I was going to find a good girl and settle down. I was tired of being a rambling rose. (The boy kind that is.)

And it happened. I first set eyes on Betty in a church service. She was sitting next to one of her brothers. Thinking they were a married couple, I simply glanced elsewhere. But there was something about her that struck me. I think it was her eyes. Naturally when I found out that she was not married, all bets were off.

Yep - You guessed it. Three months after we met, we were married. That was nigh 44 years ago and I love her more today than I ever have. And now we have three children on this side of heaven, one son with the Lord, and ten grandchildren.

Well, there’s just the two of us at home now, plus, of course, General Claudius Josephus. (My great dane.) But all our kids and grandkids are never far away. In fact we get together with our kids each Thursday for a luncheon. There is nothing like a family of love.

Guess I’d better leave memory lane alone for awhile. It isn’t the past that we are to cling to. It is what lies ahead. Our future is wrapped up in the love of Jesus. Betty and I often thank God for our marriage. We both know what has kept us together. Not only do we love one another, but we each love Jesus deeply. And He loves us beyond words.

And this is why I love the song written by Dottie Rambo, titled ‘If That Isn’t Love.’

Perhaps you would like to hear it as sung by Jeanne Johnson. Here it is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PIAgK_yd1T8&mode=related&search=

Well, I’ll mosey on down the road. Good talking with you.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

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