Barney

I have wanted for a few days to write a tribute of sorts to my second mom, Ms. Lo-Dee Hammock, and it has NOT been easy to do so. I knew she was getting weaker, and the maladies of being almost 94 were starting to take a toll on her. But we are still never prepared for a friend such as her to suddenly depart from our life down here on earth. I must admit that my heart has been very heavy since I heard the news of her passing on Thursday.

Charles de Gaulle once said that “old age is a shipwreck,” and I believe a part of that is true, especially when we see someone we love begin to weaken. Lo-Dee and I spent quality time together almost every day that I was in Branson—and have done so for many years. As I wrote in my latest book, which I dedicated to her, it was all a bit like Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays With Morrie, wherein a younger man learned so much by just spending time with someone older. Someone who has lived more of a life than you have, and in Lo-Dee’s case, her spiritual walk with the Lord was a big part of that whole package. When I left her, I actually felt that I had just been in the presence of one of God’s angels, which incidentally I believe to be very true. This is very comforting, because I know that she is now in His presence and bathing even now in the Everlasting Light of the place that has been prepared. My friends, this is true and VERY true.

As in my story, “Musings on Heaven,” we spoke often about “the journey” ahead, but we also shared so very much more... just her and I. I know all there is to know about this woman, and I cannot say that about many folks. I just do not allow myself to get that close to most people. But Ms Lo-Dee? Well, I LOVED her, you see, and she loved me... unconditionally, as love is supposed to be.

I shared my innermost thoughts and philosophies with her, and she with me. We laughed, we cried, we prayed, and then laughed and cried some more. On some days, we ran errands, and I always loved doing that. Everyone we met along the way not only knew her but loved her as well.

Such a funny woman she could be.

Back when she was moving very slowly, I remember going around to her side of the car to position her wheelchair just right. She would try to turn and rise up from the car seat. We would count one… two… THREE, and sometimes when THREE would not work we “tried four” and laughed so hard that THAT did not work either. A million memories of Ms. Lo-Dee and not one of them bad!

I really appreciate her son and daughter for coming to Branson to get her, because the Branson thing was not really working for her anymore. And if you knew Lo-Dee, you knew she was as stubborn as a mule. She wanted to stay and keep booking bus trips to see The Oak Ridge Boys, when in all reality she was struggling. Her beloved children stepped in and did what was right for her. They knew the end was in sight for her, as we all did, if we were honest with ourselves. Lo-Dee was very well served in the end and for this I am very thankful.

The things Ms. Lo-Dee and I shared together will stay private with me, except for this one thing. I know that losing her own son was devastating to her. It broke her heart on many levels. Like my own mom, whatever Ms. Lo-Dee might have been, she was a MOTHER first and foremost and, in my heart, I think her losing Bill was really the beginning of the end for her. She shed so many tears over this loss. Trembling deep loss, shuddering tears that only those who have experienced such loss can fathom.

One day she shared a dream. In this dream her son was leaning over her bedside and asked if she was ready to go home yet. She told me it was tempting to go, because all felt so very peaceful and serene around him, but she told him, “NO! Not yet!”

She told me that she didn’t know if that was the right decision at the time, but as she woke up she heard him say, “When you are ready, Mom, I will be right here to help take you home!”

I guess she was ready, and I have no doubt that Bill was there to help.

She always told me that I was the best thing to ever happen to her. I am not sure how that could be, but I assure you that Ms. Lo-Dee Hammock was an incredible blessing to Joseph Bonsall and ALL of The Oak Ridge Boys.

I will never forget her as long as I live. I only regret that the rest of my family never met her. My wife Mary did chat with her on the phone often, which was great because Lo-Dee loved Mary as well.

So, goodbye Dear One… I miss you so very much. I will see you on that golden shore that we once mused about, and we will rejoice and laugh and worship Jesus some more. In the meantime, I hope that, as you promised, you will have found my FIRST mom Lillie and have already gotten to know her. Just think... Little Joey has TWO moms in Heaven waiting on him now. How many guys can say that....


	LO-DEE… A Tribute to an ANGEL By Joseph S. Bonsall I have wanted for a few days to write a tribute of sorts to my second mom, Ms. Lo-Dee Hammock, and it has NOT been easy to do so. I knew she was getting weaker, and the maladies of being almost 94 were starting to take a toll on her. But we are still never prepared for a friend such as her to suddenly depart from our life down here on earth. I must admit that my heart has been very heavy since I heard the news of her passing on Thursday. Charles de Gaulle once said that “old age is a shipwreck,” and I believe a part of that is true, especially when we see someone we love begin to weaken. Lo-Dee and I spent quality time together almost every day that I was in Branson—and have done so for many years. As I wrote in my latest book, which I dedicated to her, it was all a bit like Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays With Morrie, wherein a younger man learned so much by just spending time with someone older. Someone who has lived more of a life than you have, and in Lo-Dee’s case, her spiritual walk with the Lord was a big part of that whole package. When I left her, I actually felt that I had just been in the presence of one of God’s angels, which incidentally I believe to be very true. This is very comforting, because I know that she is now in His presence and bathing even now in the Everlasting Light of the place that has been prepared. My friends, this is true and VERY true. As in my story, “Musings on Heaven,” we spoke often about “the journey” ahead, but we also shared so very much more... just her and I. I know all there is to know about this woman, and I cannot say that about many folks. I just do not allow myself to get that close to most people. But Ms Lo-Dee? Well, I LOVED her, you see, and she loved me... unconditionally, as love is supposed to be. I shared my innermost thoughts and philosophies with her, and she with me. We laughed, we cried, we prayed, and then laughed and cried some more. On some days, we ran errands, and I always loved doing that. Everyone we met along the way not only knew her but loved her as well. Such a funny woman she could be. Back when she was moving very slowly, I remember going around to her side of the car to position her wheelchair just right. She would try to turn and rise up from the car seat. We would count one… two… THREE, and sometimes when THREE would not work we “tried four” and laughed so hard that THAT did not work either. A million memories of Ms. Lo-Dee and not one of them bad! I really appreciate her son and daughter for coming to Branson to get her, because the Branson thing was not really working for her anymore. And if you knew Lo-Dee, you knew she was as stubborn as a mule. She wanted to stay and keep booking bus trips to see The Oak Ridge Boys, when in all reality she was struggling. Her beloved children stepped in and did what was right for her. They knew the end was in sight for her, as we all did, if we were honest with ourselves. Lo-Dee was very well served in the end and for this I am very thankful. The things Ms. Lo-Dee and I shared together will stay private with me, except for this one thing. I know that losing her own son was devastating to her. It broke her heart on many levels. Like my own mom, whatever Ms. Lo-Dee might have been, she was a MOTHER first and foremost and, in my heart, I think her losing Bill was really the beginning of the end for her. She shed so many tears over this loss. Trembling deep loss, shuddering tears that only those who have experienced such loss can fathom. One day she shared a dream. In this dream her son was leaning over her bedside and asked if she was ready to go home yet. She told me it was tempting to go, because all felt so very peaceful and serene around him, but she told him, “NO! Not yet!” She told me that she didn’t know if that was the right decision at the time, but as she woke up she heard him say, “When you are ready, Mom, I will be right here to help take you home!” I guess she was ready, and I have no doubt that Bill was there to help. She always told me that I was the best thing to ever happen to her. I am not sure how that could be, but I assure you that Ms. Lo-Dee Hammock was an incredible blessing to Joseph Bonsall and ALL of The Oak Ridge Boys. I will never forget her as long as I live. I only regret that the rest of my family never met her. My wife Mary did chat with her on the phone often, which was great because Lo-Dee loved Mary as well. So, goodbye Dear One… I miss you so very much. I will see you on that golden shore that we once mused about, and we will rejoice and laugh and worship Jesus some more. In the meantime, I hope that, as you promised, you will have found my FIRST mom Lillie and have already gotten to know her. Just think... Little Joey has TWO moms in Heaven waiting on him now. How many guys can say that....