My Memories of Missy

  My memories of Missy started the minute she was born. I was in a hospital room after just giving birth to my son Chris. I looked out the door and saw them rolling my sister-in-law Heidi down the hall to the delivery room. It was Feb 2 1972. Three hours later my brother came into my room to tell me he had a beautiful little girl. The nurses found out that we were family and put Heidi in the room with me. It was nice to all be together for this event.
   There was a flu epidemic in our area that year and they were not allowing any visitors to the ward so it was just us to share the babies.
  I remember Heidi's hand were really green and it took a while for us to figure it out. She had held onto someone with green scrubs on so hard that the color had fainted onto your hands.
   I watched as they bathed Missy and cleaned her up. She had so much hair on top that the nurses combed it into a big curl on the top of her head. What a precious site she was.
   As the years went by,( Way to fast ) We watched the children grew. Chris, Missy and Becky (another cousin ) were all in the same grade. Missy and Becky were cheerleader and my boys played ball so they were all together.
   Jack and Heidi lived three door from me the last several years so there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't see Missy pass the house. She would drive down the street and stop at the corner where I lived. She ALWAYS stuck her tougue out at me. You would have to know the Lockharts to know that is a family tradition. lol !!!
   I have to tell you about the time Missy was MY HERO ! Maybe I shouldn't but I have too. My brother and I had a disagreement over sometime that was tearing me apart. I had talked to Missy about it, and she agreed with me. She said come talk to dad, I'll stand up with you. I thought ," Sure You Will ". I went to my brothers house, Missy was there on the phone. She went off through the house and left me with my brother. I thought, Ok Missy where are you. Within minutes she returned. Bless her heart she was there for me. She stood up for me all the way. She helped me make my point to my brother. She was and Is MY HERO. I'll never  forget that day as long as I live.
   Missy is gone now, but I know she isn't far away. I know because I feel her. I talk to her and she talks back. A month after she left us I talked to her and told her I was going to bring her one red rose. I could hear her say." Please take one to my mother too and tell her it is from me " So I took Missy a rose and then I took one to Heidi and told her it was from Missy. What a sweet thing for her to do. Thinking of her mother. Another time she told me to give her daddy a hug. So I did that too.
    Missy has been gone a little over four months now. I visit her grave often. Everyone does. I was there three times this week. I don't know why but I felt the need to go. Jack and Heidi got Missy a beautiful stone with her picture on it and a large marble bench for us to set and visit with Missy.  This friday I went up again. I set there talking to Missy and I heard her say. " Guess who's standing here with me? " " Papaw Jack " my father. And I heard him say .
"Hi , baby girl "
    Missy said " You don't have to keep coming up here to be with us, we are always with you. We see what you have done to the house and we are proud" . I ask , What more can we do for you. Are we doing anything wrong. And Missy said. " No, everything is alright. All I'd ask is that you all take care of each other." " Just stand by my mom and dad and help them all you can. They will need you to be there." And I said " We Will".
   Then I felt them say " GO HOME " and I was at the truck door and opening it before I realized that I had even walked there. I looked back and said I'll be back. And she said . " I know you will Vicki Lou " . I had to laugh. My name is Vicki LYNN and she said " Don't you think I know that silly.