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Monday, April 9, 2012

Beloved


I lost a most precious family member this past Saturday,
my beloved Uncle J.B.
He was my mom's oldest brother, and was in many ways,
the father I should have had.

Having lost my mom just 7 short months ago,
my family is struggling to process this second loss.

I am re-posting this from November 2009,
when I paid him homage here on my blog

****


My beloved Uncle J.B.

That would be short for John Broadus, 
named after my beloved Pappaw, John Broadus Christian.


"The Old Chevy"...that's the title my Mammaw gave this photo. 
There he is on the left, with his little brother, my uncle, 
cradled in my Pappaw's lap.
My Uncle J.B. has always held the 
softest of spots in my heart...he and my Aunt Betty never had children,
 but oh, how he doted on me!





 How tiny I was! 
And yet how safe and completely adored 
I have always felt while in his presence.

How tiny and completely adored he looks here, 
as my Mammaw proudly gazes on...



He has had a rough road of late...he was widowed last year, 
and has suffered other set-backs as well...a car accident, 
a hospitalization and lengthy rehab, moving into assisted living.

But how I love to remember him as this...



What joy!
I love all my uncles, my mothers three brothers, 
but my Pappaw's namesake, Uncle JB, has always been my touchstone.

I received this letter from him as a young teen. 
Kept it safely protected all these many years. 
It's worth more than gold to me now.


Beloved Uncle, 
you are indeed truly beloved.

John Broadus Christian Jr. (1923 - 2012)

J. B. (John Broadus) Christian Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas April 13, 1923 and passed away in Dallas, Texas on Holy Saturday, the Eve of Resurrection, April 7, 2012 at the age of eighty-eight. He was preceded in death by his wife of over sixty years, Betty Jo Owens Christian. He is survived by
two brothers, C. W. Christian of Waco, Texas and Jimmie Sams Christian of Dallas, Texas and by nieces and nephews. J. B. graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas. He served aboard the U.S.S. Goss in the Pacific theater in World War II and was in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of the Empire of Japan. He studied music at Baylor University, served as Minister of Music and Choirmaster at several Baptist churches in Dallas and Mexia, Texas, and was organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Garland for twenty-five years. He worked also for Lamar & Smith Funeral Home for many years, providing music and other services for thousands of bereaved families. He was a talented painter, an athlete and a lover of the outdoors. J.B. was a wonderfully gifted man. He was a superior tennis player, an able writer, a man of endless curiosity about life and the world about him. Above all, he was a musician who loved the harmonies of life.

ETERNAL rest grant unto him, O Lord, 
and let perpetual light shine upon him. 
 May the souls of the faithful departed, 
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 
Amen.

Give my mama a hug from me, okay?

44 comments:

My Sparrows Nest said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Treasure the memories you have in your heart. I had a friend of the family who was more like a grandfather to me growing up. He also never had any children. He gave me the best hugs and called my sister and I his "girlfriends". I miss him so much! How blessed you both were to have experienced such a precious relationship!

NanaDiana said...

Oh, Anne- You made me cry - I was doing okay until I hit that last sentence and then I lost it. God bless you, honey. You have certainly had your share of sadness this past few months. You know, though, isn't it wonderful to know how MUCH you were loved? Without the pain we suffer when we lose someone we would never know the utter joy of allowing ourselves to love someone so unconditionally.

I have a feeling your Mama and Uncle are up in Heaven having a big old party and thinking that you will all be together again one day.

God bless you-I am praying for you- and when you feel you are so down that you can't do another thing...just look up and ask for help~ xo Diana

Debra@CommonGround said...

oh I'm so sorry Anne. So glad that you have wonderful memories of your dear uncle. such a sweet and loving tribute!

Unknown said...

What words could I say for such a loss ,only to have known and to be held so dear to this lovely man must give you some peace ,lots of love to you and your family ....What an amazing tribute,I'm sure he would be proud
XX Manda XX

Teresa@magazineyourhome said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. How wonderful that you have these sweet memories of him, he sounds very special.

JunkStuffTreasures said...

So sorry for your loss. Such a lovely tribute to your uncle that you have shared with us. What a wonderful, touching letter your special uncle sent to you- a forever treasure.

Vintage Gal said...

Anne ~ What a great legacy you have just left your uncle. He was very special to you and one day, like your mother, you will see them in heaven. Hold that close. I will leave you with these words

"The more days that pass, the closer I get to see my loved ones" Do not lose heart my friend. It is true ~ we are one day or one moment away from seeing them again ~

The most precious post I have seen yet ~ bless you and your family

(((Hugs)))

Sandy said...

Having a good man in your
life is something very
special.. I'm so sorry
to hear of your loss. He
is with his beloved sister
now and that is one of the
mysteries of life, but is a good thing for him and her.
During this very hard time
don't forget to take very
good care of yourself.
Sandy

Privet and Holly said...

Your uncle sounds like
an absolute gem. You are
right, that letter is more
precious than gold! I have
a few sweet letters, typed
and handwritten from a
few older family members.
What a remarkable generation.
J.B. certainly left a HUGE
legacy of love. Sending you
hugs and my deepest sympathy,
Annie!

xx Suzanne

pballard said...

Blessings Anne,
It must be extremely hard. I had never experienced loss until I met my husband 25yrs ago and then it started. We lost several young, old, cancer, accidents. It was so hard.. I feel your pain and loss.. We lost three in one year... My thoughts and prayers are with you. Even when they are older it is still hard on the ones left behind but comforting knowing where they are..

Alice said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a great man he was. You are blessed to have so many wonderful memories of your beloved uncle.

I lost my uncle this week too. Where yours was sweet, my uncle was large, loud, and a bit scary to me when I was little. But as I grew up I saw that he was a compassionate man, dependable, funny, and honest.

And just like you, we are still reeling from the loss of our mother, and shortly after--the loss of your young nephew. The good Lord has called them home to be with him.

Take care, dear one, and hold those memories close.

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, he sounded like an amazing man.
Hugs♥
Linsey

Shabby chic Sandy said...

What a sweet post! I am sorry you lost your uncle but I believe you will see him again!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Anne,
You have been thru so very much this past year and suffered so much loss.
I adore the photo you shared of your uncle reading the book. What a spiffy young thing he was!
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Take care and know that you were loved, T.

Tricia said...

Oh Anne, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can tell that your uncle held a very special place in your heart. What a wonderful tribute this post is to his life.

big hugs ♥

deb christensen said...

i'm so so sorry for your losses, anne. i hope your hurting heart will be comforted in all the wonderful memories you will always have - gosh that letter is a treasure.
i'll be thinking of you~

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Oh Anne, how I feel your loss. It hurts so much and leaves you with an empty feeling. I know because I lost my mom 9 months ago and my father in law just 2 months ago. The holidays are so hard but I try to remember them both as they were...loving and laughing.

We are all better just having known those who have gone before us. Let's celebrate their lives! Hang in there! We will see them again thanks to God!

Shirley said...

Anne, Sending you hugs and prayers from Missouri. It is very hard to lose those very special people in our lives. We are bless that even though we shed tears, God gives us strength to get through the lost that we have suffered. Life is so precious and we truly need to take every day we are given. You never know what tomorrow will bring. There will be sunshine tomorrow. Hugs from Your Missouri Friend.

Unknown said...

he was a good man, so loved the letter he wrote you, it showed his heart and how much he loved you.

so sorry for your losses,don't think we ever get over the pain just keep making the journey through it.

thank you for sharing,
deb @ garden party

Susie (aka Three Boys Farm Mama) said...

You know Anne, you favored him. As soon as I saw the picture of him as an adult I thought, well she looks a bit like him. That's a gift. He lives on in you!

What a sweet letter and what a beautiful tribute to him.

I'm so so sorry for your loss. May his memory be for a blessing.

~Susie

Unknown said...

Oh Anne. I am so very sorry. I'll be keeping you in my prayers.

Michelle said...

So sorry for your loss. The younger pictures of your uncle are adorable and that note that he wrote to you is priceless.

Theresa said...

Rest in Peace Uncle J.B.! What a treasure of an Uncle you had dear Anne and memories forever in your heart! Hold that letter close to your heart, precious! HUGS and prayers for you and your family!

Debra said...

Beautiful and touching post~my heart goes out to you...

Grandma Linda's Daydreams said...

So sorry for your loss! You were blessed to have such a wonderful man in your life! One day you will be with him again.
Be comforted by your great memories, pictures and letters, and knowing so many people care about you!
Linda

vintagegirl said...

What a sweet tribute to your loving Uncle ~ so sorry he is gone, but we will be reunited once again with our loved ones thanks to God's loving grace. May god lift you up and give you peace.

Sharon

Low Tide High Style said...

So sorry for your loss Anne. Those who touch our hearts are never very far away.

Kat

Anne said...

Sweet Anne,
I am sorry to hear of your loss.He sounds like such a sweet man.I know he and your Mama are both looking down at you from heaven with love in there hearts for you.
Blessings,
Anne

Linda/patchwork said...

So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a very good man.
He will live on, in your memories and your heart.
God bless...

Patty said...

What sweet memories and how blessed you are to have had such a person in your life. I'm praying God will grant you peace as you miss your uncle's presence here on earth.

lynn said...

my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. but i have to say.. you made me smile .. just looking at those photos of your uncle as a boy.. how adorable he was.. and how proud you must have been when you received that letter.... what a wonderful uncle.. and the love he had for you.. surely showed.. know you are in my thoughts... sending gentle prayers your way..
lynn l

Anne said...

Bless you, Anne ~ and I'm sure he will give your Mom that hug...♥♥

Betty Ann Harris said...

My sincere condolences to you my dear Anne. Hugs, Betty Ann (Lady Lizzie)

Tilda said...

well done Anne. you did him proud.
he, like his sister, will continue to look down on you and smile.
in fondest of thoughts, tilda

lisa Moran, Bilancia Designs said...

It's a very sad part of life that we must lose (on earth) our beloved family and friends. Through faith we KNOW we will see them again one day. For some of us, that's enough to get us through the bad times...and the good times....?? Well, that's the beauty of memories...like those you've shared about your wonderful uncle. He is smiling, once again, about his beautiful niece who continues to make him proud with her amazing words.
There's a special place in the world for people like you, Anne...it our hearts...always...in our hearts.
Much love to you, my friend. xo

Sonya Badgley said...

Dear Anne,
What a wonderful man he must have been! The photos are so precious and his letter made me cry.
I'm so sorry about your loss but you know that he is now rejoicing with his wife and your Mama too.
Big hugs to you, Anne. I am dealing with my very sick husband right now-so haven't been blogging much at all. But so glad I visited you today. Sending prayers of comfort to you.
xo, Sonya

lisa Moran, Bilancia Designs said...

P.S. The "new" pictures of you on your sidebar are absolutely beautiful! The photo of you sitting on the chair is my favorite. You look stunning! Whatever you're doing, my friend, keep doing it. You look AMAZING. xo

Marge said...

I`m sorry for your loss.
So beautiful post♥
God giwe you strenght, He never let you be alone.
Many warmy hugs, Marge

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Anne, so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. The kind of man that one can look up to. Also love the beautiful photos:) God is so wonderful in that he places such special people in our lives for us to love, enjoy and learn from. I try to remember that when I lose someone I have loved. It tends to help a bit. Prayers are with you:)
~Debra xxx
Caprs of the vintage vixens

cynlee said...

luv the old photos, specially the one of him on the scooter - what a great lookin chap!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet post Anne, I am so sorry for your loss my dear, this has been a hard year for you...I hope you feel your momma and your uncles love pressed upon you in your daily life...blessings sweetie, Tara

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Anne I'm so sorry to read this about your beloved Uncle. Those photo's and especially that letter are such treasures but most treasured are your wonderful memories of him. This is a lovely tribute to him. Hugs to you....Maura

Anonymous said...

Anne, I'm just now getting a chance to read this for the first time. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear uncle. It's clear in this wonderful tribute to hime just how special he was to you. You're in my thoughts and prayers, sweetie.

Big hugs,
Jo

Bliss said...

Your uncle was obviously a man who knew how to make a difference in the life of a child. His letter to you proves that.

~Bliss~


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