Editor’s Corner: Loss of a loved one

It does get easier. I promise. However, a piece of your heart will always be missing. How do you get through it? Memories... they will warm your heart and give you great comfort.

Someone once said, “I truly never learned what the words ‘I miss you” were until I reached for my dad’s hand and it wasn’t there...”

I lost my dad some 33 years ago and I still reach for his hand, almost every day. And, there are some days, I still shed tears because he is not here to share this life with me. But, you know what? I can still hear him...

"I'm gonna put you in the movies. I'm gonna make a big star out of you. And all you have to do is act...naturally."

This had to be his favorite song. He sang it all the time.

Well, my dad never starred on the silver screen, but he shined in the lives of everyone who knew him. Hubert Brand, known to his friends for many years simple as "Goob," was the king of the neighborhood and a father to the world. Ironically, he did kind of hang around with stars. Just a couple of weeks ago my brothers were talking about how Conway Twitty, Tom T. Hall, George Jones, and Sonny Burgess would stop by the house for barbecue when they were performing in the area.

That was my dad for you... He never locked his door and thought the whole world should have access to the freezer and canned goods in the cellar. I told my brothers about the day Dale Bumpers came to the house campaigning and dad gave him several jars of my mom’s canned soup.

All these memories came rushing back to me this past weekend as Steve and I traveled back from a visit with our son in Birmingham, Alb. I saw one of those great brown signs on the side of the road and just had to check it out. We ended up in the hometown of Tammy Wynette, the first lady of country music, and one of my dad’s favorite performers. Who could resist “Stand By Your Man?”

You see, there are thousands of memories to share. My siblings and I share... the good and the bad. Because it is those memories of that man who made us all who we are today... Hard working, honest people, who know how to give and to love.

Yes, it is those memories which will fill the hole in your heart. It is those memories which will guide you as you continue to walk your path. You are a better person for having known them and you will never lose that feeling of love. I promise.

So, here’s to my dad! The man, who never learned to read or write, but told me many times, “You are not less than anyone else and you are not better than anyone else. We all put our pants on the same way.”

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.