As many of you know, I lost a cousin to murder in 1993. Bobby Carroll Pruitt was murdered by his friend who committed suicide later that same day.
Bobby was one of my favorite cousins. Separated by less than two years in age, we frequently played together. As the baby of his family, I was one of the “little kids” he could boss. I hated it then, but I’d give anything to have him tell me he was “in charge” one more time.
As we grew older, sadly we grew apart. But anytime we ran into one another, we’d always catch up. Bobby had a fantastic sense of humor. He loved to joke around and his compliments were veiled with good-natured teasing. It was just his way. So as I wrote the following poem to remember him on this year’s National Day of Remembrance I took a shot at him, just as he would have me, in my last line.
I know Bobby wouldn’t have had it any other way!
Dear Bobby
It seems as if it were just yesterday
we were playing hide-n-seek
Throwing acorns in the woods
getting soaked wading in the creek
Devil Went Down To Georgia
you sang every word by heart
When Johnny took the Devil’s fiddle
was always your favorite part
Remember the day you said you were older
and your rules I should follow?
And how I stomped off really mad
and pouted in the hollow?
I always thought you’d be around
a baseball glove in hand
Or sitting atop a beautiful horse
galloping across the land
Sometimes I think back to those times
and soon here comes the tears
Back then we could never know
you’d be cheated of so many years
You rode out into the sunset
and back you never came
And since the day you died
things have never been the same
I know you’re up there now with Ma
and your sister Barbara too
I bet they’re chuckling at all your stories
if you’re still the same ol’ you
On Earth I’ll wait to see you again
and deal with the void and loss
Til then just let me say one thing,
I bet in heaven, cuz, you are not the boss!
Loved and missed everyday -
Bobby Carroll Pruitt
January 21, 1972- September 14, 1993
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