"Track Suit And Rubber Shoes" OR "How Everything Went Wrong And Turned Out All Right." On Friday, the day before the dedication ceremony, the temperature had risen to the nineties and it was hot and humid when my family left our cabin in the middle of un-civilization, on a mission to locate the church to see what we'd need to do to get the reception hall ready. My dad had forgotten a necessary prescription, so we stopped at the first pharmacy we saw to try to arrange a call-in from his physician back home. It was a long wait in the parking lot while he and Keith, our family pharmacist, went inside to take care of business. I had forgotten to phone Charlie Porter, the Veterans Service Officer who was coordinating the military portion of the ceremony, to go over the program and work out any kinks. "Oh, no," I thought, "he's going to want to bail on me because I can't remember a little courtesy of a phone call." While we were waiting I thought I'd try it, and I did connect but we were both on cell phones so you can imagine how that was going. He said, "Ok, I'll meet you somewhere. Where are you right now?" I replied "Marietta" and he asked where. I told him the name of the drugstore, and he says, "I don't believe it, I'm heading your way right now. I'll be there in five minutes." He met us in the parking lot of Slater Drug Company and we reviewed our plans on the hood of the van. He was very apologetic that he couldn't arrange a rifle salute, but he had arranged for the ROTC Color Guard from Furman University and the National Chaplain for the SAR was planning to attend as well. He was as friendly and accommodating a gentleman as I'd ever met, and before we parted he directed us to Beechwood Farms, where he declared we would find "the best strawberries in the world." Keith and company returned with the news that we'd have to locate another pharmacy, as that one couldn't help. Charlie directed us to another store, and when we took the wrong turn flagged us and led us there himself. Later, when we arrived at the church, immediately we noticed the Tyger Baptist Church sign out front, with a message that read, "Welcome Reuben Barrett Descendants". I got out of the car and stood reading the sign, thinking about what it meant that this church family embraced us as one of their own without really knowing any of us. I turned my gaze toward the cemetery, my eyes searching out the stone with the brass emblem in the center, the one I'd waited so long to see. We hurried over to read the inscription, and to touch the stone which symbolized our kinship with this church and this land. Buried in the dirt, I found a remnant of a miniature flag, a tattered sentinel left a year earlier by descendants like me, who had come from near and far to connect with this monument, this soldier, this land that appeals to our yearning for home. We'd been in the cemetery only a few minutes when a gray utility van stopped, and a young man got out and walked toward us with a smile and open arms. I suspected, and he confirmed that he was Jake Darnell, pastor of Tyger Baptist Church. He said he'd been working down the road, but had been expecting us so he stopped work immediately when he saw us in the cemetery and came over to greet us. He pointed out some other interesting graves in the cemetery; he told us legends about the people and stories about the location of the earliest church building; and he pointed out the large stone on the rise above the cemetery that is reported to be the cornerstone of the original church. Jake opened the doors of the church for us literally and figuratively; welcomed us to use the facility in any way we wished, and offered to do whatever necessary for our dedication ceremony to be the event we envisioned. He guided our tour of the church, showing us the lines of additions and updates that have taken place over the years. He shared with us the oldest photo of the church which hangs in his office, and gave us copies of the church history that was printed for the 175th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration. We made the Beechwood Farms detour when we left the church and it was one of the highlights of the trip. We went wild and bought vegetables and jam, as well as two gallons of strawberries. One gallon we reserved for the dedication refreshments, the other we sliced to serve over angel food cake and ice cream back at the cabin. We balanced it out with a stir-fry supper, to fight off the guilt of something that tasted so good! Later that day I spoke on the phone with Susan Darnell (one of those rare times when we were actually able to get cellular service) and she asked me how we wanted to set up in the church. We had a discussion about tablecloths and flower arrangements, and agreed to talk again later that evening. Of course, I forgot that when we returned to our cabin near Table Rock, we would again be in a cellular black hole. Wouldn't you know the adorable cabin I rented was truly a retreat from civilization, one without a telephone? My sister and I planned some emergency provisions for dressing up the fellowship hall, and off I went with Keith in tow, looking for the Sam's Wholesale Club for refreshments and table covers. I don't know why, but the late hour didn't phase me and I just assumed if I was awake then the Sam's Club must be open. Well, duh. At 10:30 pm on a weeknight? There was a WalMart open nearby, and this Wally-wise shopper found a enough of the items on my list to get by. A stop by Ingles' on our way back to un-civilization, and we had everything we needed. A few hours and a little sleep later, it was time to leave for the church. The refreshments (except the frozen lemonade-it would be added last minute) went into the cooler and were loaded in the van; the printed programs and the trumpet were laid on the back seat, we slipped our "dress" clothes into a garment bag to change into once we'd finished the setup and decorations, and we were off. I recognized Jim immediately when we arrived at the church, and he and Jan helped us unload the van. As we walked into the fellowship hall, we couldn' t believe our eyes. The tables were laid with white cloths, and topped with lovely flower and candle centerpieces, the buffet table sported a gorgeous centerpiece, and the chairs had been set up at the cemetery. Just as we had discussed. Jake and Susan took care of it all. Once we recovered from the shock, we set about preparing the refreshments so they'd be ready when we returned from the cemetery. Sister started preparing the strawberries. Mama started her melon balls. Hallie and Larry had arrived by then, and they, Jim and Jan stepped in and lent a hand where they could. I started preparing the olive spread for the ham roll-ups. Now where were the nuts? "Sis, did you pack the nuts? No? Okay, no problem, we'll send someone on an emergency run." Ok, I thought, I'll go ahead and mix up the lemonade. Checked the cooler, checked the freezer. "Did we pack the frozen lemonade?" No? Okay add that to the emergency list. Jan snagged Jim and they set out to find a grocery store while we finished up. Okay, the Color Guard arrived. Better get everyone changed. "Keith, did you bring in the hanging bag?" "No? It must be still in the van. Bring it in, ok?" "Uh-Oh." "What uh-oh? What do you MEAN there's NO HANGING BAG IN THE VAN????? I am wearing a track suit and my rubber sandals! You have to go get the clothing bag." Sadly, it was too late. There wasn't time to drive back to un-civilization for the clothes. I had to face my sister and my mother and tell them we'd forgotten their clothes, that we'd all have to go as we were, speaking part or not. The Chaplain of the National SAR and the representatives of the South Carolina DAR had arrived. Dressed to the nines, no less, and asking for me. No time for regrets now. I slapped on some mascara and lipstick. I made one mumbled apology for the state of my dress, and forged ahead. (Thank God for anti-depressants. And anti-anxiety-ants.) I sucked in my breath and straightened my spine and decided if Pvt. Reuben Barrett could face the British Army for me, I could face 30 friendly people in my track suit and rubber shoes for him. The actual ceremony was moving, patriotic, and spiritual. The precise cadence of the Color Guard bearing our flag, the pealing trumpet rendition of the National Anthem, the prayer, the words said in praise and honor of our ancestor, the wreaths laid at the tomb as a memorial to the man who walked away from his family in order to provide a legacy of freedom to those who came after, and the final, lonely wail of taps--there was a presence with us that balmy afternoon as the sun slid behind a thunderhead and a light breeze gently dried the dampness of the day from our skin. There was a poignant pause as we rose to make our way back to the cool, refreshing, air conditioned hall, when the descendants, at least, took a long look around as if acknowledging the presence of paternal pride. Not one thing could have taken from us that familial feeling, and the certainty of honor affixed at last to that grave where our personal patriot lay. We enjoyed some fairly fabulous lemonade and some nibbling tidbits, thanks to Jim and Jan, who saved the day, and enjoyed the company of newly discovered family and friends. Larry expertly rounded up the relatives for an assortment of group pictures, & captured some of it on video as well. Rev. Jake and Susan Darnell and the members of Tyger Baptist church embraced our family in fellowship as if they'd known us all our lives, as they did for those of you who were there last year. After the crowd thinned we went looking for the broom closet and under the stairs we discovered a tree stump embedded in a dirt wall that was left exposed when the basement addition was built. How long since it had been a growing tree? How many times had our ancestors walked across that very mound, leaving the footprints we would follow to discover their history? How I wanted a handful of that ancient earth! I let it lie. Not one grain could have made that day a better memory. P.S. I want to thank all the BARRETT family members who helped make this day possible. I feel very grateful to have been able to represent you at this monumental event. Love, Marilyn Dowdy

I had tears come to my eyes during the dedication. Tears of joy, of pride, of love. Marilyn's message made them return. The strawberries were wonderful. Marilyn gave us TOO many, which we shared with Hallie and Larry. We ate ours with pound cake and Dreamwhip. I know where the pounds went. I picked up two weeks of mail this afternoon. Included was the bill for attaching the DAR marker to the stone marker.. I'll mail the check in the morning. Yes, we had enough money to cover ALL expenses with a little left over. I'll include that in the check I'm sending to the church. Jake and Susan Darnell and the Tyger Baptist Church have shown this Barrett Family more love than I would have thought possible. If you missed the two dedication services at the church, you missed a true blessing and outpouring of Christian love. Thanks to all of you for your help and support. Jim Barrett Bedford, TX