MISS OKLAHOMA...

I had told y'all that I had to go up to Oklahoma for the funeral of my wife's beloved Aunt on Monday. I might get around to the whole story, but I just had to tell y'all one thing that happened.

Before the funeral, the family was to all gather in a really nice big room that was separate from the Sanctuary at the Baptist Church where Aunt Margie was being funeralized. I was sitting on a couch visiting with one of The Mrs.' Okie cousins that I have always really liked. He's a real Okie, and I always enjoy listening to his funny & foolish ignorance.

Well, we are sitting on the couch visiting, and in through the door walks Miss Oklahoma. I swear, this gal was gorgeous. She was about 23 years old, 5'10", 125 pounds, long blond hair, legs that stretched all the way to the ground (I think you know what I'm saying...). I asked Cousin Floyd, "who is that?" Floyd tells me that she is Carrie Ann, Gary's wife.

I say, "Gary? I didn't know he was married...is he old enough to be married?" It had been probably 15 years since I saw Gary (the son of one of the Okie cousins)...but time does fly, and it seemed like just a couple of years ago. Sure enough, a little later, in walks Gary. I recognized him right off. Except for the fact that he was 6'4, about 210 lbs, and 15 years older...he looked just the same.

I was glad to see Gary. After the burial, the Baptist Church had made a real nice huge meal for all of the family so that we could visit and all. Well, Gary came and sat with me and The Mrs. It was good to visit with him. For some reason I had forgotten his history. It came back to me as we were visiting. Gary had been a fabulous engineering student at OU, and played football for The Sooners. As we visited, I discovered that he is now working for an engineering firm in OK City. He is a wonderful young man. He remembered me just like it was yesterday when we saw each other last. (Young folks' memories are much better than older folks like me).

As we talked, I made a comment about his wife, Carrie Ann. I said, "Gary, your wife is such a sweet girl (I had visited with her for a minute or two earlier...and she was just as sweet as sugar). And, she is just gorgeous!" Gary said, "Yes, she's beautiful. She was Miss Oklahoma you know. I met her in college, and it was love at first sight. We got married after I graduated."

I was happy for the boy. But then his voice got kinda low, and he leaned into me and said, "Andy, she's gorgeous, and sweet...but you gotta hear this..." My curiosity in high gear, I say, "go on."

Then he tells me this story..."Last weekend we were watching the local news, and the funniest thing happened. There was an international sky-diving competition being held at OU. There were sky-diving teams from all over the world in Norman for it. There was a tragic incident being reported by the anchorwoman. She reported that 2 Brazilian sky-divers had been killed at the competition, and that officials were investigating why their chutes didn't open."

He continued, "Carrie Ann just began crying uncontrollably. I asked her what was wrong, and she just mumbled something through her tears about those 2 Brazilians dying. After a while she calmed down, and I went to answer the phone in the kitchen. It took me a while to get off the phone, but when I came back in the living room, she was still just sobbing like crazy. She looked at me and said, 'Gary, come hold me...I don't know if I can stand this!' So, I sat on the couch and held her while she boo-hooed."

Then he told me, "Andy, I couldn't stand it anymore. I said to her 'Carrie Ann, they were sky-diving after all...there are risks involved. It happens, you know.' Then she looked at me through teary eyes and said, 'I know, but it's just so sad that so many of them died. Sweetheart, how many is a brazillian?"

Poor Gary...I spewed iced tea and lemon meringue pie all over his nice suit. I felt terrible, and apologized while wiping him off. He said, "Don't worry about it Andy...I'm used to it."