A story of true love
By: Jerry Nix | Freewavemaker, LLC
Date Published: Sunday, October 15, 2023
My dad died on May 8, 1999, and I really cannot take credit for this story – So I will give that credit to my mother, Edith Nix. My dad was only 69 years of age when he died and he has been missed by all in the family since then. It’s kind of sad how kids don’t know how much they love a parent until that parent is gone forever. Then the words of the parent seem to ring true at every twist and turn in the kid’s life. Words, that until death, we paid little attention to.
Mom and Dad were able to celebrate their 50 years of marriage about 11 months before he passed. While cleaning out some of her desk drawers the other day she ran across a pamphlet that the Columbiana Church of the Nazarene provided for their celebration. Before reading their story, I think it is important to understand, that Mom and Dad were raised in the deep south – The Birmingham, Alabama area – and being part of the Bible Belt spent much of their lives in and around church fellowship.
These two pieces were written in that pamphlet and I give my mom all the credit for writing them (and now know where some of my writing ability comes from).
Our Marriage (by Edith Nix):
I was only 14 years old and attended church in Ensley, Alabama with some of my girlfriends. I was asked to play the piano. While I was playing, I saw Gene walk in with another of my girlfriends. When church was over, I kept standing around outside with my friends. I told them someday I would marry that guy (Gene). They thought I was crazy.
As time went on I forgot about him. When I was 16 years old, I was in the hospital. There I found myself praying for my husband. I say Gene’s face perfectly clear. Still, I decided, surely not. In a few days, I was released from the hospital to go home.
On May 8th, our pastor came by and Gene was with him. I was getting ready for a date. I went to the porch and was introduced to Gene. The next week he called me for a date. We went on a hayride with the church group.
On May 13th I went to work as usual. On the way I stopped by the pastor’s house and Gene was there. He came out from under a car and walked me to the trolley.
Standing at the corner of Avenue E and 26th Street, he asked me to marry him. I told him I would think about it.
On June 20th of the same year, we were married. I never did tell him I would marry him because I knew God had sent him to me.
Love at first sight (by Edith Nix):
A close from the middle child:
This was all provided at their 50th anniversary on June 20, 1998. About 11 months later and 51 years to the day after my dad formally met my mom, on May 8, 1999, the good Lord took my dad – her husband – home. I know God’s first words to him must have been, “Well done my true and faithful servant.”
Dad’s doctor told us that dad’s final words to him, the doctor, were, “Doc, is your heart right with God? Are you ready if your time is up? I want you to know that I am.”
That’s my dad, always looking out for the other person. I can see why my mom loved him so much. He rarely, if ever, got angry. When mom would want to fuss at him, he’d just walk away into another room and be quiet. I asked him one time as a young teenager why he put up with it and his response was, “Son, it takes two to fight. If I leave her alone, she will eventually calm down and all will be well.” I’ll tell you for a man that barely got an elementary school diploma, he sure was smart when it came to people.
There you have it. My mom’s story of True Love. I hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Until next time remember: You can’t row the boat without making waves and if you’re not rowing the boat, you are only going where the currents take you – which may not be where you’d like to end up.
Jerry Nix | Freewavemaker, LLC