When Once I hungered For Sustenance

When once I hungered for sustenance, my soul devoid, my spirit spent
A child of God, Dorothy Everett, defined for me what caring meant.

One of my favorite customers wrote this poem about our mother at the news of her passing in 2007.  Larry lived behind the Everett and Jones Barbeque restaurant on Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland.  Often I would see and talk to Larry over the fence as I went to get wood for the fire from the wood pile.  Needless to say he was a frequent customer and all employees knew how he wanted his ribs cut.  

So, went Mom passed we put a condolence book out on a table so customers could leave remarks and share memories, Larry left this poem.  I cried when I read it and have been posting it every year since our mother's passing.   

When once I hungered for sustenance, my belly empty, my money spent, a child of God, Dorothy Everett, defined for me what caring meant.  She sat me down and made me welcome fixed me up a heapin' helping'of ribs and salad, corn and beans, she said I could have anything

And while I sat there, pigging out, with barbecue sauce all around my mouth Mrs. Everett did start to tout what loving God was all about.  She said to me, "Yes life is hard, but with faith in yourself and in the lord you’ll find there's nothing you can't do, if to those things you do stay true

Do love thyself and love thy neighbor. Help out those who need a favor. Share their burdens when they labor. Pray for those who need a prayer.  Comfort those whose hearts may bleed. Honor those who claim they need.  Don't be selfish, don't show greed, and God will bless thee, yes indeed.

When once I hungered for sustenance, my soul devoid, my spirit spent
A child of God, Dorothy Everett, defined for me what caring meant.

-Larry Sullivan

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