Sharon's band had a gig Friday night before Memorial Day, and she did not return to the holler until late. Kathy had gone to bed hours before. She was snoring gently and rhythmicly when Sharon peeked in to check on her.

Late that night, she was again awakened by Mjolnir purring loudly in her face. She sat up and looked at the rocker. the moon was in the last quarter so the light was dim, and she could just barely make out the outline of the old woman sitting there, rocking gently.

"You should have called for me, and not climbed those steps on your own," she said to Aunt Kathy.

"I'm much stronger now," Kathy replied. Strong enough that I wanted to sing. Is your voice worn out from tonight's gig, or will you join me?"

"Want me to get my guitar?" asked Sharon.

"I don't think so. I think the night just calls for our voices."

I can feel the sweet wind blowin'
thru the valleys and the hills.
I can feel the sweet wind blowin' as I go, as I go.
I can feel the sweet wind blowin' thru the valleys and the hills.
I'm goin' home to Jesus, bless my soul. Bless my soul.

I can hear the children's laughter
thru the valleys and the hills
I can hear the children's laughter as I go, as I go.
I can hear the children's laughter thru the valleys and the hills.
I'm goin' home to Jesus, bless my soul. Bless my soul.

I can see the dawn a'breakin'
thru the valleys and the hills.
I can see the dawn a'breakin' as I go, as I go.
I can see the dawn a'breakin' thru the valleys and the hills.
I'm goin' home to Jesus, bless my soul. Bless my soul.

I can hear the Master call me thru the valleys and the hills.
I can hear the Master call me as I go, as I go.
I can hear the Master call me thru the valleys and the hills.
I'm goin' home to Jesus bless my soul. bless my soul.

I can feel the touch of Heaven thru the valleys and the hills.
I can feel the touch of Heaven as I go, as I go.
I can feel the touch of Heaven thru the valleys and the hills.
I'm goin' home to Jesus bless my soul. Bless my soul.

The gentle sound of the two women singing in harmony wafted out the window and drifted out over the holler, the old voice intwined with the young in a loving braid of soul and solace.

When the sound had faded completely away, Kathy arose from the rocker, wlaked over to Sharon's bed, and patted her gently on the cheek.

"Thank you so much, my dear, dear child. I'm going to go rest now for awhile."

"Why don't you sleep here tonight, Aunt Kathy, in your old bed? I go downstairs and sleep in the bed down there."

"I think I'll take you up on that, sweetie. I think I'll do just that."

Sharon arose from the bed and helped Kathy take her place. Kathy was already dropping off to sleep as Sharon arranged the covers. She leaned down and kissed the crepey skin of her aunt's cheek.
"Sweet dreams," she whispered, beforing turning and heading down the stairs.

When she arrived at the first floor bedroom, she was not surprised to see Aunt Kathy's body lying still and cold upon the bed.











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