I had wanted to post something special in honor of my “partner”, my Dad, on his birthday or another special date. However, because I’m not sure as to what my blogging status will be on his birthday, July 2nd, I decided to go ahead with it now. As I was packing up, I came across several cards and notes that friends had sent after his death. I keep them in a box which I avoid. I don’t look at them very often, for they cause sadness deep within my soul. The tears start as a gentle trickle and then rapidly increase from there. I decided today, however, I would go through the box again. It’s been a while since I’ve looked through it. Even though I miss him terribly, and it causes sorrow, it’s good for me to remember the wonderful Dad I had here- and who is waiting for me on the other shore. I just wanted to share some things with you about my parents while I had the chance.
First let me tell you about my relationship with my parents. To sum it up, it was, and still is, wonderful. My parents were, in my opinion, strict. This said to me, “We love you, Valerie”. My parents were giving. This said to me, “We love you, Valerie.” My parents enjoyed having a good time and laughing. This said to me, “We love you, Valerie.” My parents were forgiving. After being disciplined, I would repent. They forgave me and never brought it up again. This said to me “We love you, Valerie.” My parents never humiliated me publicly. This said to me, “We love you, Valerie.” My parents read their Bibles daily, lived according to the Scriptures, and backed our preacher. This said to me, “We love the Lord, Valerie.” My parents led balanced and disciplined lives themselves. This said to me “Live this way for happiness, Valerie. Follow us as we follow Christ, Valerie.” My parents whole heartedly invested in my interests. Whether this was shown by giving of their time, money or by simply listening, they cared about what I cared about. This said to me “You matter to us, Valerie.”
My Dad and I had a unique bond. He often referred to me as his “partner”. We had similar personalities. We enjoyed doing the same things. We biked together many summer nights. We would lie on the bed with the windows open in the summer and he would tell me all about his childhood…okay, I asked him a lot of questions! He picked me up from school and often bought us milkshakes. (I told you we enjoyed the same things!) Sometimes, I’d go to work with him. He would give me a map of Arkansas with all the counties and some colored pencils. What fun!! We once drew a map of the USA to hang on our mantle at home.(I would give pretend weather forecasts using it.) He read books to me in the summer about the Presidents. We enjoyed being together. This was true of my Mom, as well. We all liked being with each other.
Here are some things I wanted to share with you about my Dad. These were written on 3×5 cards that were handed out at my home church soon after my Dad’s homegoing. I hope it will give you a glimpse into the life of this remarkable man.

“Bro. Courtney was such a blessing. He always greeted you with a smile, always had something encouraging to say. I guess the biggest thing that I’ll remember about Bro. Courtney is listening to him pray. He will always be in my heart.” – Laura Herndon

“I always loved to sit near Bro. Courtney during church because he was always so enthusiastic during the preaching. You could tell by the way he would “amen” the preacher that he lived and believed what he said. I also loved to hear him pray. You could tell he had a close walk with God. He left a wonderful legacy!” – Alisha Samples

“Bro. Ron Courtney – A godly man and great example for the younger fathers in our church. We will greatly miss him at Victory Baptist Church.” – Mary Thomas

“When I think of Bro. Ron, I think about his love for his children and grandchildren – but even more, his love for souls. I always loved to hear him play the trumpet.”
– Sheila Herndon

“It was very hot outside and we were sitting in the church. [Note: At the time the church met in the gym while they were building their new building.] Bro. Ron got my attention and said “Don’t you wish you were in Greenland?” Bro. Ron was an encouragement to us.” – Bro. Marty Arnold, Missionary to Greenland

And there were many more! There are so many loving people in my home church. These notes have been such a comfort to me over the past 3 – almost four years.
My Dad was tall, 6’2″, and many people thought he resembled Ronald Reagan, especially when Reagan was in office. He would get so tired of complete strangers telling him this. He did not share this opinion! ;]

Here’s a poem that a faithful friend of our family wrote. The Payte family, Reggie, Debbie, Jenceson, Jim and Reuben, have been friends of ours for years. We grew in the Lord together first at Hot Springs Baptist Temple under Pastor Glenn Riggs, and later at Victory Baptist. I hope you don’t mind this long post, I just wanted to share what Jim wrote.

His wavy white hair
His finely honed wit,
The strength of his handshake
His encouragement to never quit.

The height of his stature
Is just but a mite,
Compared to his example
Of a man who lived right.

And, oh, to hear him pray
That’s what I loved most
He seemed as though he were best friends
With the Lord of hosts.

No thee’s and thou’s
No strain of thought,
Plain spoken words
Not rehearsed or taught.

His head tilted back
As he uttered his prayer
I peeked I suppose
It seemed the Lord was standing there.

The words that he spoke
Still ring in my ear
I want to pray like that
And feel the Lord so near.

Into God’s presence
Now he’ll abide.
For today he went home
Leaving his children and sweet wife by their side.

But don’t worry, don’t mourn, fret or despair.
Ron Courtney left a heritage…
He was a man of prayer

Now you can see him in Heaven
As he talks with the Lord.
I picture it quite the same
As it was here before.

His head tilted back
Now Glory in his eye,
Face to face praying and waiting,
For you and me to arrive. – Jim Payte

I sure hope I didn’t bore you with all of this. Since I’ve had a blog, I’ve written about everyone in my family. Everyone except my Dad. I’ve said a few things here and there, but I hadn’t really told you about him. And to think, I could continue to write about him, and my Mom, for hours! None of my feelings for my parents are a shock to them. I have no regrets about my relationship with my Dad and Mom. To God be the glory!
I’ll close with a little quote from my Mom’s favorite show, The Andy Griffith Show. (Here’s a brief synopsis) This is the episode where Aunt Bea wants a bed jacket for her birthday, but Andy doesn’t get it for her. He instead gets her two dozen preserve jars. Aunt Bea is crushed. When he realizes his error, he goes to get the bed jacket, but it’s been sold…to the Mayor! Andy agrees to trade the Mayor his prize fishin’ rod, Eagle-Eye Annie, for the bed jacket. At the end, when Opie asks his Pa where the rod went, Andy replies to Opie:
“No, I didn’t say that [I’d never get rid of it], I said I kept it because it brought me so much pleasure. And ol’ Eagle-Eye Annie’s doin’ just what she’s always done. Even right now she’s bringin’ me pleasure. Real heart-warmin’ pleasure.”

Pleasure, that’s what my family brings to me. Real heart warmin’ pleasure.