Oh Rocky Top...

"You'll always be Home Sweet Home to me,
Good ol Rocky Top (whooooo!)
Rocky Top, Tennessee!"

My uncle Joe was by far the most dedicated football player/coach/fan in the world. He'd watch the little division 153 games as quickly and with as much excitement as he'd watch the UT/Ga games. But he was a true Volunteer, and not just a fan. He could tell you about the such-in-such game back in 19sometime when the defensive end sacked Joe-Blow the quarterback in the third quarter to clinch the division lead...blah blah blah. I love the game and my Vols but pale in comparsion to Joe's fan-dom.

With this being said, Joe's funeral was last Friday. He lived for the last 40+ years in Georgia, and there was no rival like UT/UGA. Joe's pastor is a Dawg, so they had their own 'Godly' rival going. Tommy the pastor came into the church Friday for the funeral sporting a UT tie. :) He assured Mary the service would be appropriate, but he wasn't going for the sad sermon. A few people spoke and said wonderful things, the lady sang a few songs, and Tommy got up to speak. He began with reading "Wish that I was on ol Rocky Top..." and proceeded to read the whole song out loud. I wanted to shout out an "Amen" but wasn't sure Mom would go for that! Tommy spoke about Joe and his love of his family and his country, and his football. He wove the lyrics of Rocky Top into the story of Joe's life, sharing stories about Joe and the family, ultimately with the 'home sweet home' being Heaven. The moonshine in the song was likened to new wine in heavenly wineskins and 'there ain't no telephone bills' because we'll have no earthly concerns whatsoever.

To the outsider, this may read as the most backward, redneck funeral one can imagine. But the operative word there is 'outsider.' Those who knew Joe totally get how completely appropriate and right on it was.

And UT has had a horrible season....but somehow they beat Vandy today. Hmmm.....maybe Joe's coaching again.....

GO VOLS!
Jeanie