Goodbye My Friend

Rest in peace my sweet Zoe, you will be so missed.

August 9, 2003 - November 23, 2009

A Great Man

My Granddaddy, James Hulsey, passed away July 8th. He was a great man and truly the patriarch of this family. I know he was ready to leave this world because he told me so, and although it is comforting to know he was prepared for what was to come, it still doesn't make any of us miss him any less. He was a strong, independant man and left a great legacy. The last memory I have of my Granddaddy is spending the day with him on his front porch after Aunt Hattie's funeral. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see him, but the goodbye couldn't have been better if I had planned it. I hugged him making sure I didn't squeeze too hard, I kissed him on the cheek, told him I loved him (loud enough for him to hear!) and I told him I would see him again.

Just a little cut and paste for now from his obituary. I will do my best to update with some stories of my own real soon.

Staff Sgt. James Hulsey distinguished himself by serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the Asiatic Pacific area during World War II, where he completely wiped out a group of seven Japanese operating a radio station to pick up information on American movements. James was awarded three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Metal. Mr. Hulsey was the youngest son of George P. Hulsey and Gabrilla Samples Hulsey and was born in Gainesville on May 18, 1923. Mr. Hulsey was a lifelong resident of Hall County and was a businessman owning Hulsey Brothers Paint and Body Shop and Wrecker service. He also owned and operated the Georgianna Motel and Restaurant with his beloved wife and children. He was a member of Central Baptist Church. Mr. Hulsey loved his family dearly and enjoyed helping out those in need.

I volunteered to do the slideshow for the service, and was honored to be trusted with such an important task. I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos below.

James Lewis Hulsey
5/18/1923 - 7/11/2008

Aunt Hattie

My Aunt Hattie passed away yesterday at 93 years old. My aunt never had any children of her own, but she always took a special interest in my mom and two uncles, as well as me and my brothers. Lord knows that she and Uncle Woody spoiled me far more than even my own grandparents did as a child! I remember when I was a little girl they would always buy my easter dress. One particular year I tried on a dress that came in a pastel blue and a light yellow. Uncle Woody asked me which color I wanted and my answer was "I like them both", which led to me getting both! And these were not cheap little dresses like you could buy at JCPenny, oh no, these dresses were a couple hundred dollars each, and that was in the mid 80's!
I am fortunate enough to recall many wonderful memories from my childhood, filled with memories of my Aunt Hattie and my uncle Woody. It is hard to talk about one without the other. They were married on March 11, 1933, and were happily married until my uncle Woody passed away, well into his 70's. I never thought of my aunt as a particulary strong woman emotionally because she depended heavily on all of us to help with various and even simple tasks, but thinking back, I think that living just shy of 20 years without the love of your life, says a lot for someone's character. She loved my uncle Woody, and depended on him heavily, I know she missed him every day. I think I will devote a later post just to my uncle Woody, but to continue on with my Aunt, I am going to cut and paste an excerpt from her obituary.

Hattie Hulsey Vaughan, 93, of 232 Tower Heights Road SW, Gainesville, passed away on Friday evening, June 27, 2008, to join her beloved husband, Woodruff W. (Woody) Vaughan. Hattie was a longtime member of Montgomery Memorial Baptist Church, a member of the Mall-Walkers Health Group and loved the Burger King Staff and Seniors Group. She always expressed love for everyone and never met a stranger. She previously worked with Gainesville Mill, Pacolet and Leece-Neville. She and Woody owned and managed several small restaurants, and later joined family to help operate the Georgianna Restaurant and Motel.

Hattie Hulsey Vaughan
9/03/1914 - 6/27/2008

Losing a horse can break your heart, but it will have been worth it*

I thought that you might like to know I got here safe and sound
Though you must feel rather strange not having me around;
Of course, I am not really gone, I've just moved out of sight,
And I don't need that big body, things had stopped working right

Oh yes - I've got a comfy stall, just like mine down there at home,
So things here are quite adequate, I cannot gripe or groan;
But while I'm up here waiting, in my pasture in the sky,
I'll regularly look in on you, and keep a watchful eye.

Glow for the Chocolate
"Chester"
04/17/2003 - 05/26/2008

*Title courtesy of "33 Things I Have Learned About Horses

Kipper

This is my "foster dog" Kipper and he passed away today. He will be dearly missed by his foster family and his real family.

Words Cannot Express

Words cannot express the sense of loss I feel today. It's really amazing how much one horse has influenced and changed my life so much. Sweetie was my pet, my friend, and my partner. Together we accomplished so much in the show ring, and she taught me so much. She will forever be missed and forever in my heart. Thank you for the wins, the awards, the lessons you taught, the great memories we had together and the companionship. I feel blessed to have owned you. You are a part of so many chapters of my life, and although going on will be difficult, I will forever cherish our days together.

I will forever remember out trip to Congress, the time I panicked going over the lope over in western riding, closed my eyes, and you loped across it like a pro. I will remember the time we beat Bruce Vickery in western riding at the big show, the time we got the standing ovation after our flawless pattern, and the time you nearly threw me going in to a horsemanship class that we won! We had 10 great years together, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Pastures

Give her pasture, tall and green,
With lots of clover, oh so thick
Give her lots of carrots,
and blocks of salt to lick.
Make sure someone rubs her belly,
And scratches behind each ear,
And tell them about that itchy spot
Right on her left hind rear.
May her tail fly free and high
As she runs across the ridge,
'Til she races across to greet me,
At the end of Rainbow Bridge.

Ima Sweet Memory
April 6, 1986 - July 14, 2006
All American Quarter Horse Congress Top Ten
AQHA Amateur Versatility Champion
World Show Qualifier
Open & Amateur ROM
Multiple All Arounds and Reserve All Around Awards
198 Total AQHA points
Points in: Halter, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Western Riding, and Reining.
Multiple GQHA and GQHYA Year End High Point Awards

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan.
-Irving Townsend