I’ve been going through my dad’s old papers, slowly reading things and learning things. We found a book that he kept in his closet. It was a three ringed binder that had clear pages. He had slid all sorts of things into those page protectors. One of them was this telegram.
I read it the week after dad died and it really made me smile. One, I know that people don’t get wings when they die. Two, I have seen “It’s a Wonderful Life” 30 or 40 times (maybe more). So, when I hear a bell ring I salivate angel wings. Three, you have to know all the people and places mentioned in this telegram.
The telegram is fascinating to me, because it was sent to Lubbock. My dad was in Lubbock. It was not for long, but it reminds me of why my parents were so anxious when God called us to the Panhandle. It was sent by Betty and Udell. Uncle Udell had been married to my mother’s only and older sister, Janice. Janice was 16 years older than my mom, “surprise” Janice died of Leukemia when my mom was about 20 and Janice’s daughter, Sharon, was about 16. Mom and Sharon were more like sisters. Even though Uncle Udell was no longer really my Uncle, he still acted like one. Every year we would travel to Louisiana to see him and his family. They had a big fun family, Sharon, Derald, Greg, and Eileen. Uncle Udell later married Betty. She was my aunt. We would travel to their home and experience love and family. They were amazing times. The boys were older than me and played for Tulane football. They were both mountains of men and tender as kittens. The girls were elegant and kind. It was one of my favorite places to visit.
Uncle Udell was one of my heroes. He was in charge of Baptist work among college students for the state of Louisiana. He was a preacher. He was so dignified. He always dressed so well. As a long preacher, if I met people from Louisiana, they were always so thrilled I was related to him. He was an item in Louisiana Baptist Life. When I felt God’s call on my life into the ministry, Uncle Udell responded almost immediately. He sent me a Bible Dictionary and a note of encouragement. I still have them both.
The event that caused the telegram was my father finishing flight training and being awarded his Aircrew Badge, commonly called, “getting your wings.” It was a big day. It represented lots of training, lots of skill and a door to the future. There are lots of things I don’t understand about the telegram, all the codes, numbers and letters at the beginning (someone want to decipher them for me?), but the message in the middle is clear. The clear celebration of a job well done. In 1956, a telegram was a thing. To get one must have been impressive. The fact that Uncle Udell spent the money and energy to make this happen is so amazing. The second phrase, “we are proud of you,” is so kind and generous even in its brevity. Uncle Udell was a man that we all adored and looked up to. If you made him proud, you had done really good.
The last phrase, “come see us,” was what I remember the most about Udell. He wanted us in his life. He wanted us to be with him. He was not bound to us by marriage, but by the heart. He and Betty had the gift of hospitality and their love was tangible and I always felt a part of his family.
I do see heaven as a great reunion, so when I read these words, it seemed like one of the reunions in heaven would be these four, my dad was the last to “get his wings” and head to heaven. The last word is, “love.” That is what the end of love is, eternal and lasting fellowship with the father and the community of faith. My dad kept these 17 words for nearly 65 years. Think of what a bit of encouragement can do for someone around you today. Think of being able to motivate them for 65 years.