We were poor. We were so poor, the poor people called us poor.

As someone else said, we were so poor we couldn't pay attention. A lot of people have accused me of that.

In the later years of her life, my mother told me that when I was just baby, her and my dad would leave home on Sunday and not be back till the following Friday Night.

They went to Cincinnati, Ohio looking for employment.

See Related Article Tribute to MotherTribute to My Mother.

My Granddad and Grandmother Wilkerson raised me. I called them dad and mom. There is not much I remember about those early years.

Influenced by Granddad's Move to the Smokies

Not too long before Granddad Wilkerson died he wanted to move back to Tennessee and he asked my mom if he could take me along. I still remember that long drive in that old Chevy with Granddad and Grandmother Wilkerson.

The year was 1951 and Little Orphan Eddie was just a boy with two heroes, Granddad Wilkerson and the Lone Ranger.

The single most vivid memory of my childhood occurred during the last year of Granddad Wilkerson's life at our home at Butterfly Gap, near Maryville, Tennessee.

I would be playing cowboys and Indians at our farmhouse where I had a view of the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance.

If I close my eyes I can still hear the screen door on Granddad Wilkerson's old farmhouse banging shut and granddad calling "Hi Yo Silver...AWAY!" I would come bounding out of that barn and into the house where we would hear:

"The Lone Ranger! 'Hi Yo Silver!' A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty 'Hi Yo Silver!' The Lone Ranger. 'Hi Yo Silver, away!'

Influenced by Granddad's Move to a More Beautiful Place

One day granddad went away and the next time I saw him he was inside a little country church ... lying in a casket.

My Aunt Betty lifted me up so I could see my hero for the last time. His hand was cold and hard. It seemed so final.

The people sang "In a Land where we'll never grow old" and "How beautiful heaven must be".

I wondered; "If heaven is where granddad is, then where is heaven?" and "What is heaven like?" and "How did my granddad get there anyway?" and "Why can't I go with granddad?"

Many years had passed since granddad passed. His memory never left me.

I found a good paying job and bought a baby blue '57 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible.

See Related Article My First Love My First Love.

Those were the days my friend, a good job, cool car, and neat chicks. What more could a guy ask for?

I thought that I had it made, but I had an overwhelming void inside. I would drive all night long with no particular place to go.

Hoping that I would find whatever was missing in my life just over the next hill or just around the next bend but it always seemed to elude me.

Even after I was married to a wonderful woman, and we had two wonderful children, Mike and Troy, (Tina invaded our home later) I still didn't have complete satisfaction and contentment inside.

Influenced by Granddad's Bible

Twenty years after my Granddad's funeral his grandson was searching for something.

In 1971, on a cold December morning,I was still searching for answers for my troubled heart.

My attention had been directed to the words of Jesus in the Bible, where He said,

"Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.

In My Father's house are many mansions.

I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I AM, there you may be also."

Jesus continued

"I AM the way, the truth, and the life: nobody comes unto the Father, but by Me."

So, without delay, I knelt there at my couch and asked God to forgive me, come into my heart, fill that void in my heart, and give me a home in heaven.

That day I learned God's simple plan of salvation and ever since then, I've had the peace of God that is beyond understanding.

Yes, what a wonderful feeling of forgiveness came over me that day!

He answered my questions that day.

He filled the emptiness inside of me with a deep contentment, satisfaction and peace. It is no wonder I cannot keep quiet!

Even after my eleven-year-old son, Mike was diagnosed with cancer; I could sing with certainty "How beautiful heaven must be".

And six and a half years later when Mike slipped away in the night, I was satisfied that he had been safely transported to that "beautiful land over there".

Today I can say with confidence that I know there is a heaven, and that I am going there.

I will meet my granddad, my dear mother and dad, my two sisters, my son Mike and at least some of my hero's over there. (I'm not real sure about the lone ranger).

Influence Children that's my Father's Business

Influence a child today.

Take time for that child. Not just your child, but that little orphan child who feels so unloved - so unworthy of anyone's attention. My challenge to you is to be the shining light in that child's life.

 Click Here To see links to other articles by Barbie & Eddie Perkins.

Thank you ~ eddie