Sam's Birthday

Today would have been my husband's 74th birthday had he lived. He was born on a Friday the 13th of January in 1933. We would have celebrated it with a meal out with friends or family--so typical of our celebrations when he was alive. He shared the same day with the son of Kaye Price Hawkins (Shane) and we often celebrated together. Another little twist, Kaye's daughter (Hainey) and Brandon were born one day apart at the same hospital in Abilene. And again, we often celebrated those days together--mostly at Steak and Ale in Abilene.

If he had lived, I wonder:

Would he have been gray or bald? Many of the Thomas men did bald early. But Sam showed no sign of it when he died.

Would we have moved to Nashville? Probably--I don't think he could have stood that many miles between him and his grandchildren and son.

Would he have taken to retirement? I think so, because he was always what we called a "piddler"--he could always find something he enjoyed doing, especially outside.

Would he have enjoyed getting older? Yes, his mind was always young. However, if aging brought poor health, he would have hated that. He was always very active physically.

Would we have traveled much if he had lived? Yes, I think so, because he loved traveling--and with all the Civil War history around here, he would have been so interested in visiting every battlefield and old plantation home.

What would his hobbies have been in retirement? I don't know--he always had so many interests--from collecting fossils to growing vegetables, from family history to researching cataclysmic events. One of the lessons he enjoyed teaching was on the volcano Krakatoa.

What would he have done with the internet? I believe he would have loved it and used it to its utmost capabilities. He got in on the earliest use of computers in Abilene schools and was so caught up and amazed by the wonders of them.

What would he have thought about the changes in the church he loves? He would have clung to his conservative frame of mind until he could be showed a broader way by someone he respected. He revered David Lipscomb, Barton W. Stone and the early leaders of the church...and respected their courage in the Restoration Movement.

I do wish he could have known Sheryl, Maddie, Ella and Sam--what joys they would have been to him. And to see his son become a respected worship leader and pioneer in the church he loved would have been heaven to him