Memories from Mia

Gene was the oldest grandchild of  John and Lena Wright; Mia was the youngest.  They are separated by 39 years.  When Mia returned to Somerset from New York living, Gene and Emily still lived in Middlesboro.  Emily and Gene moved to Chattanooga six years ago, and Mia moved to Chattanooga four years ago.  The first two years, she lived right across the street from Emily and Gene - then moved into a better school district.  Clyde is her 9 year old son.

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In her own words: 

My first cousin, Gene Howard was the dearest person to me and Clyde.  He has been in these last nine years a miracle of family love.  Even when Clyde and I had first come home to Kentucky from New York, Gene and Emily showed up at 406 North Main Street and from then on they kept up with us and folded us into a blanket of unconditional love that has been a powerful anchor for me as a mom and for Clyde as a young man growing up. 

Yesterday as we headed for sleep, Clyde asked me where the star was - he meant the star Gene made with him several years ago in the summer for Christmas.  Gene planned like that, and showed Clyde the power of planning ahead, as well as the concept of a model for something bigger, for Gene then made a 25 foot star for his church using that five footer as a model.  Clyde was I think, five that summer.  It was our first summer in Chattanooga and we would indeed have a beautiful star in our yard that first holiday season in our home across the street from Gene and Emily.  Clyde asked me if we could repaint and fix up the star for Christmas this year.  

We have missed being near Gene and Emily after moving several neighborhoods away.  I often wonder about what we gave up in order to gain a good school for him.  I do.  But the power of Gene's love, the actions he did and showed to Clyde are many: the get up and go to make a garden and the patience required as nature walks us through its growing on her schedule - not ours, the can-do spirit to fix a fence - which he did at least three times for us, and an old-timer's sharp eyes that found and stopped the tiller,  and gleaned an arrowhead from the soil he had just plowed.  We learned from him afresh the art of telling a good story, and making honorable, clear poems from one's quiet life...so much remains in our life experience.  Gene (and Emily to be sure) nourished us with magnificent minerals.  If there is a truly great Earth Mother, Gene Howard taught me and my cub the elemental concept of a great Earth Father.  In the passing of my beloved mom and dad, he and Emily stepped in...we love you Gene, you gave us a real good template to follow.