By Harold Brummett
Denmark Star Route

My nephew Ricky Caldwell married Dianna Parimore. The ceremony took place at what was Papa and
Granny’s house and is now Ricky and Dianna’s house. The vows taken outside in a venue that Dianna
decorated. It was beautiful, reflecting the bride’s taste and beauty. The party afterward was fun, a DJ,
music, a dance floor set up on the grass and a tent full of food and drink.

All told, the blended family now consists of a grand total of 9 brothers and sisters. This is of course not
counting grandchildren. Ricky has always opened up his heart and house to anyone and now shares both
with someone special. Dianna is as vivacious, outgoing and loving as Ricky is and they both share a deep
faith. I suspect there will be a ‘Walton’ episode on a regular basis as the family grows together in faith and
love.

After the ceremony, Ricky walking toward the altar for photos called out to me, “Hey Unk,” and pulled
out the red handled Case® pocket knife that his grandfather Audley Brummett (Papa) always carried,
“had to have him with me,” he said smiling. There was no doubt Papa and Granny was there in spirit and
in love.

Boyd Goodnight Jr. passed away a couple of weeks ago. Boyd was a husband, father, grandfather. He was
special to his family, circle of friends and former co-workers. Boyd is a first cousin, one of about 32 first
cousins if I have not missed someone or counted someone twice.

Gene Goodnight is Boyd’s brother. Some difficult times early on in their life forged a bond between them
that lasted a lifetime. I admired them, as they seemed to me to be supermen. Gene has a bright smile and
winning personality and Boyd a kind and generous nature. Both Boyd and Gene worked from an early age
as Boyd took on the role of man of the household, protector and as much as he and Gene could,
contributor to the family.

Aunt Ethel raised these two boys to be fine upstanding men.

My grandfather Gant died before I was born, but stories told about him from relatives and my mother
made him alive to me. The cousins from Louisiana drove up, three men who resembled Daddy Gant (from
the photos I have) as close as I have ever seen. Even as they age they are tall, thin good-looking men who
always worked hard and have an easy way about them, confident like an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Before the services, I was talking to Glenn Holder one of the older of my Louisiana cousins and we were
talking about those who had gone on before. I said Uncle Billy Gant always told me if you had a Case®
knife, you had something and I pulled out my yellow handled Case®. Glenn smiled, reached in his pocket
and pulled out an identical Case®. Memories made and touchstones to keep.