My baby brother, Gary Edgar Smalley, died this past week.
He had COVID and no, he did not receive the vaccination. I know that is the first question on people’s minds now because it is mine when I hear someone succumbed to this wretched illness.
Even though my mom and I both asked him to take the vaccine he had made his choice and he was not to be swayed.
He didn’t make the decision lightly. He continually studied the pros and cons and felt, based on his understanding, that he had made the right choice.
Even though I didn’t agree with it I accepted the fact that it was his decision to make. After contracting the virus, I think he just didn’t seek medical assistance in time.
Maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference, but we will never know. He kept thinking he had it beaten as he would send me a text saying, “I think I’ve rounded the corner.”
Gary did eventually round the corner, going to his eternal home in heaven.
Even though I prayed for a different outcome, life without Gary is the situation I’m left with. My heart is shattered, not only for my family, but for all the people that we love who have also lost loved ones to this insidious disease.
I know time will replace the brokenness I feel with sweet memories but for the immediate future I will only torture myself with the whys and what ifs. Casey has dedicated a webpage to his dad where you can share stories and listen to his music.
It is garyedgarysmalley.com.
Now that you’ve let me cry on your shoulder, I do have a legitimate Town Talk thought in all of this.
Gary loved Stroud like I do. Our parents instilled that love in us. Shawna Simpson Powell sent me a message saying Gary was so proud of all Town Talk was trying to accomplish for Stroud.
He always wanted to own land and recently purchased twenty acres.
I told him I didn’t think he should buy land in Stroud, that he should retire and move to Nashville to be close to his grandson, Stetson.
He told me, “Stroud is my home.” Rather than move he was already contriving tricks to try and convince Casey to move back this way.
Through this heartbreak, I have been reminded several times why we love Stroud so much and why I want people to shop local, whenever possible.
While Gary was sick at the Stillwater Hospital, I ran into the local Wal-Mart because I needed a few things. No one knew the pain I was feeling, and no one probably even cared.
When I returned to Stroud, I went to pick up a prescription at Stroud Drug and the nice lady behind the counter, lifelong friend, Alicia Brown asked me how Gary was doing.
I told her “Not well.” She came from behind the counter, hugged me and we cried together.
I might save a dollar or two at Wal-Mart, but life is about so much for than that.
Mom goes to Stroud Drug to get her booster shot and her pharmacist, Bill Ash, tells her they are praying for Casey. I get sick with Flu A and a local medical professional comes to my home to assess me.
I go to the grocery store and Brownie asks me how my brother’s doing, countless friends send cards, messages, food, all because we are a close-knit community.
Maybe things cost a little more in Stroud, but it can’t always be about the money. It’s a few dollars here and there spent in Stroud that helps preserve a way of life for generations after us to experience.
Maybe I’m trying to make this more philosophical than it really is, but we need to fight to keep small town America alive.
It’s the heart of who we are. Gary wanted Town Talk to buy a bugle boy for our Veteran’s Memorial in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park. It was because of Gary that Project Bugle Boy was born.
He saw this very thing at the Welcome Home Soldier Monument Memorial in Albia, Iowa while he and Lisa were truck driving cross country.
He was passionate about it and Town Talk loved the idea, too. It has been on our project list since Gary suggested it. If you want to remember Gary in some small way, we are asking that in lieu of flowers you donate to Town Talk Bugle Boy Project in memory of Gary.
You may read more about the Iowa project on Facebook or the Internet to get an understanding of what we are trying to accomplish.
For me, it’s simple:
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name
And they’re always glad you came
You want to be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You want to be where everybody knows your name.
Have a great week and remember to shop local………………first!