Thoughts and Memories from Aunt Carole My nephew Jimmy arrived on the planet three years before me, which made for some interesting conversations and situations over the years. I never let him forget who was the oldest. There are far too many fond memories to list here, but want to touch on a few. When Jimmy and I were children, my sister (Lorena) would take us swimming in Punkin Vine Creek in Emerson. I still remember how cold the water was. Jimmy once saved a cousin from drowning there. He and I both took piano lessons from Mrs. Womelsdorf in Cartersville. Neither of us really learned to play well, but we did a mean chopsticks every time we were together where there was a piano. Jimmy loved music, had rhythm and was a drummer in the school band. Jimmy's parents had a television before we did. I loved to visit them where Jimmy and I would watch The Ted Mack Amateur Hour (in black and white of course). I grew up "on the banks" of the Etowah River where Jimmy and I played for hours and hours. Someone one asked about my favorite memories from that time. My answer was - when Jimmy's parents brought him over to our home to visit and play. I was a tomboy and loved to ride bikes with Jimmy, play ball, play cowboys and Indians, tag, I spy, etc. We wrote letters to movie stars, one of which was Ronald Reagan. I most of all loved joking with Jimmy - we laughed until we couldn't catch our breath. Jimmy loved to play practical jokes and I was often the victim of his pranks. He would kid me unmercifully until I was almost in tears, then hug me and say, "I wuv you". I quickly forgave him. This continued until recent years when he became ill - I will miss the kidding. I enjoyed visiting at his parent's store in Emerson (Morris Grocery and Café), where on some Saturday afternoons, I would ride with him to deliver groceries to customers who had called their orders in. As an adult, Jimmy loved his family with a fierce proudness and verbalized it often. When he was shot in the head, in the line of duty as a sheriff's deputy, having gone out on a domestic, I was devastated. I was there when the doctors stated that they didn't expect him to live. He showed them what he was made of. Several years ago, Jimmy had occasion to come face to face with the man who shot him that night. Jimmy shook hands with him. That to me speaks volumes about his character. Jimmy often spoke about his friend, Howard with whom he had a close relationship and how he valued their friendship. I will miss Jimmy terribly. We were more like brother and sister. We had a very special relationship - he was my nephew, but he was also my advisor, confidant and lifelong friend.