My great-aunt, Annie Mae, was one of my Grandmother Everett's younger sisters. She was always sweet to me and I loved her. Her husband was a rake, a drunk, and abused Aunt Anni May all her life.
He was bed-ridden when I was a kid and still as mean as he had ever been, he just couldn't be mean out in public. Once my mother was painting Aunt Annie May's living room. Uncle screamed at Aunt Annie Mae and when she brought his plate he knocked it out of her hands and raised his cane to her. It was a big thick cane of some kind of hardwood. My mother rushed in and grabbed the cane and broke it over her knee. She told him that he'd never hit anyone with it again. She was furious and so was he, but he was no match for my mother!
My grandmother, Lillah, prayed every night for the Lord to take Uncle home. She also let Aunt Annie May know that she was doing it. My grandmother passed away. The saddest thing I think I have ever heard was my Aunt Annie May say to my Aunt Jean, "Who's going to pray for Francis now?" My Aunt Jean told Aunt Annie May that she would, and you knew she was not joking! A beautiful smile spread across Aunt Annie May's face. I think she was afraid to pray that particular prayer herself. I think Uncle lived less than a year after that. I miss my stern grandmother and my sweet Aunt Annie May. I do not miss the evil uncle.
This story was brought back to me this morning by a website group asking to have the group removed from Facebook that is praying for the death of President Obama. I guess some people think he is evil. I don't think they know what true evil is, and that they are sadly mistaken. I haven't known anyone evil enough to pray for their death. I think it is probably better to pray for someone than to pray against them unless you were my grandmother. In the meantime, you will find me praying for our president and leaders and...Living Life!
