Homecoming

For over 50 years our family has been a part of Lovedale Baptist Church in the small town of Two Egg, FL.  It's where my Grandparents have attended for as long as I can remember and it's the first church I ever knew.  It's where I first heard of the love of Jesus and where my spiritual roots are planted.  Many of my fondest childhood memories involve going to church with my Grandparents at this small country church.  Lovedale holds a very special place in our hearts, especially since it was truly where my Granddaddy's heart was.  Lovedale was his passion and where he spent many years as a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and more recently served as the chairman of their building project to construct a new sanctuary.  Lovedale Baptist Church and the Basford family are synonymous in my mind.....they're one in the same.  

Last Sunday, Lovedale had it's annual homecoming service, which is something they do every fall and our entire family does our best to be in attendance each year.  Several months ago, the congregation let it be known that at this year's homecoming they wanted to honor the Basford family.  Granddaddy was so proud and he made it very clear how important it was for ALL of us to be there.  So, immediately we started making arrangements to be in Two Egg the first Sunday in November.  He also asked me to speak on behalf of the family, which I gladly agreed to do.  We didn't know it then, but Granddaddy wouldn't live to see the day his family was honored and he passed away just three weeks before the big homecoming service.  We all knew how important it was to him, so every single member of our family gathered on Sunday November 3rd for what would be a very special tribute not only to Granddaddy, but to our whole family.  

The church lobby was decorated with memories of my Granddaddy and our family

This board was covered in pictures of him with his fellow church members and the words you see were chosen by those in the congregation to describe him

Pictures of our family

This was by far my favorite tribute to Granddaddy.  This chair in the foyer of the sanctuary is where he sat every single Sunday, greeting church members and visitors alike, cracking jokes, shooting the breeze, bragging on his Grandchildren and solving the world's problems.  It was "his" chair and I can't think of a more fitting way to pay tribute to him than to place his picture in it for all to see.  I know he would be proud of this!

The homecoming service was so special.  Aside from the special memories shared by the Pastor and other speakers, all of the music was of the southern gospel genre, which was his absolute favorite!  I know he would've been tapping his toe along with that good ole southern beat!

After the service they served lunch and it was a FEAST, as usual!  My favorite thing about going to homecoming at Lovedale is always the food!  Those ladies know how to cook!  

After we stuffed ourselves, they asked our family to pose for a group picture.  If we all look a little fatter than usual, it's because we are!!  =)

Granddaddy's legacy---I think he would be proud!

Kirkland/Hughes/Thomas Family

After lunch we walked out to the grave to find that it looked very different from the last time we were there, on the day of his funeral.  The ground had been covered and filled in with gravel and all that's missing now is his official headstone.

Great Grandma and Great Granddaddy Hart

It was a very special day for our family and even though Granddaddy wasn't there with us as we had planned, I'm sure he was looking down with a smile on his face and admiration in his heart.  Lovedale won't be the same without him, but I'm glad to know that his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who loved him so much at this church.  Thank you, Lovedale, for all you have meant to our family over the years!