A Slice of Life

By: Lillian "Carol" Russell

“NOT TO OLD TO CUT THE MUSTARD”

Recently appearing at the Senior Center fund raiser, Marilyn & her father Alfred Christian took me on a lovely stroll down memory lane. When I was a little girl my dad & his brothers picked guitar & sang all these old songs I loved. From a family of 12 siblings, with no TV, there was lots of singing.

Marilyn and Alfred sing at the nursing home on Tuesdays, so I was there to enjoy them again. I sing there on Thursdays with the “Fun with Music” gang and I enjoy it so much! Come sing with us we are open for new membership.

Alfred told me he came to Dumas at age 15 from OK. He is now 75 years young. He & his daughter sound very professional. Marilyn did some nursing, moved to New Mexico but came back home six years ago. She and her dad are picking and singing together now, well they actually take turns singing, an occasional duet but they are both blessed with heavenly voices, that had they pursued a career in music, with the right backing they would be famous by now. No doubt in my mind!

 As I listened to them sing I was taken back to a time when my daddy came home from work smelling of oil & grease. After he got cleaned up & had supper, those old rough hands of a mechanic & general Jack of all trades, picked up that guitar. We sat by the radio, as daddy picked and sang along with Hank Williams, & the other radio stars of the day. These are precious memories and when I hear someone sing these songs like Alfred & his daughter Marilyn, I am carried away to a happy place. I am a little girl again sitting at my daddy's feet, the safest place in the world.

Marilyn & Alfred Christian

ANOTHER SEASON CLOSERBy; Lillian "Carol" Russell

September came and sang her song then gently slipped away,

Fall is now upon us and shorter grows the day.

With great anticipation I wait for leaves to turn,

For fresher cooler breezes now I truly yearn.

So swiftly go the seasons, now they seem to fly,
And I’m closer to the Master as I watch each one go by.

Be it death or be it rapture, when I reach the other side,

No pain, no death, no sorrow, Lord I'll be so satisfied!

So come quickly one more season, swiftly come and swiftly go,
Autumn show your beauty, let the cooling breezes blow.

The changing of the seasons, it’s a wondrous thing to see,

Draw me nearer, draw me nearer, my precious Lord to Thee.