I wandered the aisles of the music store, combing through stacks of CDs and cassettes. My nine-year-old daughter, Hatti, loved to sing and I was searching for the perfect song for her to learn.
Just then, I came across a cassette of Tex Ritter’s Greatest Hits. Tex is a legend here in Panola County where he was born. I’d never heard his music on the radio, but I knew a few songs from Mom’s old records. She was a big fan of his. The cassette would be great for her to listen to in the car.
Hmm, I thought. I’ll buy this for Mom, and Hatti can sing along to it too. It was perfect!
A few days later I picked up Mom to run some errands. She popped in the cassette. The first song, “I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven”, played: “I dreamed I was there in hillbilly heaven, oh, what a beautiful sight…”
“I love this song!” Mom said excitedly. “Now listen closely to the ending.”
It was the first time I’d ever heard it—a catchy tune about Tex’s dream of a heaven filled with his favorite country music stars. It’s so beautiful he doesn’t want to leave. At the end, he’s thrilled to learn he’ll be there soon.
About a year later, Mom suddenly passed away. We were devastated. The day of her funeral my husband, Charlie, and I sat in our truck and I could hardly keep it together.
Lord, I prayed. I miss Mom so much. Please watch over her and let me know she’s okay.
All at once fuzzy static blared through the stereo speakers. Charlie reached over to change it. Just before he turned the dial, a song came through loud and clear: “I dreamed I was there in hillbilly heaven, oh, what a beautiful sight…” Yes, Mom was home with God.
