Uncle Johnny and Aunt Judy were my favorites. I know you’re not supposed to have favorites, but I did and they were mine. Although we didn’t ever live close together and saw each other a few times over many years they always showed me a lot of care and interest. So there are two favorite memories for me. On ny only visit to Mauldin, Aunt Judy took me out to their country club for a round of golf, which in itself was fun. But, on one particular hole, a dogleg left, she hit the ball right on her second shot and quickly threw down another ball and struck it perfectly. She not only hit the green but sunk the put. As she triumphantly picked her ball out of the hole she proclaimed BIRDIE! When I asked about the shot that went right she said, “I’m not counting my practice swing that’s not supposed to count.” I could only smile.
When I was 15, my Uncle Johnny drive his corvette to Bradley, West Virginia to our grandparents ranch. I had been working all day cleaning stalls, took a shower and was getting ready to go grab dinner at Barleys Drive-in. Uncle Johnny saw me walking down the road, got into his corvette and said, “Young man let me give you a ride. Well, how could I ever say no?” So, we went down to an unfinished piece of the new four lane connector to Summersville and when he got the speed up to 80, he turned his ball cap backwards, and told me to hold on. I had no idea he had put nitrous oxide in the vette. I think we pegged about 140, and it was phenomenal! Needless to say, I was no longer hungry, but had an incredible memory that day.
I live you both, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Judy.
Your loving nephew,
Rick