I'd like to share with you a true story, which I have added to my Family History book I'm working on. Now my cousin is from the Barnett/Malicoat/Davis/Blackwell lineage. His great grandparents were: John Barnett b. 1829 Scott Co., VA, d 1901 OK & Elizabeth A. Johnson b. 1826 VA. d 1883 Rockcastle Co., KY My mom's double cousin, Calvin Davis, Sr.'s wife wife, Lillian died 10-01-1995 Fresno, CA, six weeks later Calvin Sr passed away leaving an only child, Calvin Davis,Jr. Cal,Jr's wife Jan was in a hospital in LA not doing well at all, we didn't know if she would make it and if Cal,Jr. would face yet losing another loved one. Being the only cousin within miles and knew his parents so well, I stepped in to give my cousin what love and support I could, I had taken on a load, cleaning out his parents place, finding insurance policies, etc. The time came that I had to go through all the property, walked into the two car garage and almost had a heart attack myself. From wall to wall, bottom to top was nothing but old TV sets, boxes and boxes of tubes etc. I didn't know where to start, there wasn't even room to try to park any car there. What a job it was going to be I thought to myself, the house wasn't up to codes etc. To make a long story short, Cal went on to visit his wife and I got it all taken care of. Two months ago, Cal,Jr's wife wrote these two in memories of and now I would like to share with you all. I think back and tears now comes to my eyes, how did Jan know and here's her words. Jan is a very ill lady, but she wants to help with our family history and she has. She writes: The Master's Tree The Master of the forest stroll's through His fine creation. It is now time to remove another one of His special trees. This wonderful specimen He had designed for His purpose. The tree had borne much good fruit. It had developed a disease that had left this once beautiful tree worn out and the leaves were beginning to sag under the strain of the disease. The fruit still glistens in the sun. Anyone passing by can see he rich full fruit and barely notice the drooping leaves and the falling bark. Since the Master's plan in this tree's life has been fulfilled, He wants this creation that was made in His own image to go to the Eternal Forest. To be planted in his Forest and Garden of Beauty is a desire of all His trees. Thus one morning the Master quietly sends His men who serve as angels, they gently remove the tree. All the forest surrounding stands and watches with sadness. But the Master has not let the tree die, Rather, He replants it. A lonely tree had stood close to the one removed. He had been there side by side of the tree before the tree had the disease and after it had consumed the tree. He heard no complaints. He had seen the marvelous fruit. His heart was overwhelmed by this tree that had claimed his heart. This tree that had been taken had borne this younger tree and had led him to the Master. The Master stands close by as the tree grieves. Then He ever so gently speaks, "Son, I had only let you have the tree for a while. It really belonged to me att the time," Now months have passed, the tree is still lonely but with each passing day he feels peace inside and less angry about losing his tree. The tree realizes that his life must go on. He knows he will always remember his tree, The best way to go on is continue to bear his fruit. Someday when he is replanted he will see the tree once again. The tree at last feels a breath of fresh air blowing through the forest. With this movement on this very still day, the tree senses that his beloved tree brings him a sign; a sign of assurance that he will always have his tree close in his heart. He can now grieve a little less. In memory of Lillian Davis by Jan Davis July 18, 1996 Tubes For The Master The young lad stood inside a garage filled with what appeared to him to be junk. He look around and shook his head. Why would anyone want to save such unbelievable stuff. "Yes," he said to himself, "all these old television and radio tubes are just junk. As he turned to leave his father strolling in with his hand full of more of his collection of tubes. "Dad, why are you saving all these tubes, Please explain the purpose to me." "Son, let's set here on this crate, and I'll tell you my story." He paused as if in thought, reach up into an old can, brought out an old tube, set it beside his son, then began his story. "A long time ago, Son, I was like this old tube. I was dirty, cracked and useless. There was nothing inside that worked, I had been tossed aside as an old piece of forgotten junk. One day a wonderful think took place. A man who called himself Jesus picked me up. He changed me from inside out. I now had the power that shone through me with a light that was like no other. I no longer felt dirty. In an instant I was clean. I did still have some cracks on the outside. Jesus, who was now of my entire life, told me the cracks were part of my personality, and in due time, He would use them for His purpose. One of the cracks was lack of education, but He told me He'd use me even though the crack was still there. He asked me if I'd help Him find other tubes and bring them to Him. I hesitated, but the Master reminded me of how Moses could not always speak so, at times, He used Aaron to speak for him. I'll give you someone to help you and stand with you. He did. Son, that someone was your mom. Together we went looking for tubes for Christ. Those tubes, like these, became like a family, a family in Christ. These tubes,"he paused and waved his hand over the entire collection, "represent some we've gathered for the Master's Kingdom. The tubes comes in many sizes and shapes. Some have rough places on them. Some are real smooth. But they all have a place in God's Kingdom. Some of these tubes are still blank on the inside, no light coming from them, useless. I'll keep showing them my light until my Master calls me into His Kingdom. When I do, Son, you must carry on. It's simple. You shed your light. Other tubes will follow your light to Him. Son, do you want to be a useful tube?" "Yes, Dad," said the son. The father replied, "Tell Christ to light your inside with His light," The son did just that. Tubes, tubes, tubes. Dad gave his many years to searching out, preaching, praying, and living the light of Christ. His light is still burning, but it is to be seen in his beloved Master's Mansion. It shines ever so brightly. It is so beautiful; no cracks, no flaws, no disease, no disabilities. He is pure through and through. But, he's not alone. Right beside him is his beautiful soul mate that God found for him. The son now misses his dad, but he no longer looks at his dad's tubes as junk. They are very precious indeed. He will show his light and someday take his place beside his beloved dad and mom and all the other tubes they had found and showed the light to. In memory of Calvin Davis, Sr by Jan Davis Calvin's daughter in law November 10, 1996 Happy Holidays Jean Brand Fresno CA [email protected] and [email protected] my surnames: Adkins/Atkins, Barnett/Barnette, Blackwell, Davis, Frazier, Hatfield, Johnson/Johnston, Malicoat/Malicote/Mallicoat, Wright/Right, Witcher husband's surnames: Barentine/Barrentine, Brand, Blackwood, Webster