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UNCLE RICHARD'S MEMORIES

"Married November 23, 1929 (if my memory serves me right) my father saw my mother at the farm next door. He waited all day for her to go down to the pond for water. He grabbed a bucket and went down to the pond for water too. They talked for a couple of hours. They were both smitten. He told her he was leaving for Arizona to work in the copper mines for a year. And that when he got back he intended to marry her. A year later mother was sitting on the front porch with her grandmother and grandfather when dad drove up in a blue roadster, slid to a stop in the front yard, walked up picked her up from the chair she was in, put her in the car, took into town and married her.

They were married 49 years when John died. Ruby lived another 20 years and never could conceive of considering another man in her life. They were married for eternity from the first I do.  They were the most wonderful parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and friends to everybody."

Video Comments: 

My grandmother Ruby (Mimi to me) was one of the most kindhearted, spiritual, understanding & loving women I've ever known.  

Mimi was on her deathbed when I wrote this song.  I've always felt it was a message from my grandfather, John (Papa), to let Mimi know he was waiting for her on the other side. Not only waiting but wading out into the river to meet her as she crossed over.  I believe, just as she did, that we're reunited with our loved ones when God takes us home. 

She wasn't able to say, but my hope is hearing this song gave her comfort and reassurance.  Not that she really needed it, I'm sure.  For as long as I can remember, she spent her entire life in service to the Lord.  She loved and trusted Him so. "An old Bible on the edge of the bed, tattered and torn from being read......" 

I found this Scripture she had written out in a book she gave me in 1972.  "Lovingkindness is better than life."   Psalm 63:3   She lived this truth.  

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.  I Corinthians 15: 51 & 52  

Ruby and John
words & music by Beth Williams

Ruby sits on the edge of the bed,
wearing old brown shoes & a scarf on her head
had her suitcase packed for nigh on 18 years
in her favorite cotton dress, she wants to look her best
when she steps back from this black veil of tears

Ruby's ready to fly over the rainbow...
Ruby's ready to fly peacefully
over the rainbow, cross the river into the arms of john
standing knee-deep in water, wading patiently

seems like only yesterday
she gave her young heart away
to the farm boy she met out on hornbeck pond
always said she knew right then
walkin' down the road with him
she would someday marry that boy john

Ruby's ready to fly over the rainbow...
Ruby's ready to fly peacefully
over the rainbow, cross the river into the arms of john
standing knee-deep in water , wading patiently

through forty nine sweet years they saw love shine
soon it will be John & Ruby for all time

an old Bible on the edge of the bed,
tattered & torn from being read
night after night alone there in her room
through an open window a cold wind blows ...
a train whistle comes and goes
and leaves just the smell of ruby's sweet perfume

Rubys ready to fly over the rainbow...
Rubys ready to fly peacefully
over the rainbow, cross the river into the arms of john
standing knee deep in water, wading patiently
he's standing knee deep in water wading patiently
he's standing knee deep in water waiting patiently