Mr. Tidwell Lives On

Some of you might remember a post about Mr. Tidwell from last year. We saw him for the first time this year, mowing the neighbor's yard. He is about to turn 93 later this month.

Chris went over to say hello, and, as usual, had a good conversation with him. This time, Mr. Tidwell decided to share his 'secret' for longevity with Chris. He said he was the sixth child of ten, and every single one of them has died. But he told Chris that his secret was obeying God. He used to smoke and drink, and, at one point, even made his own moonshine. But then God told him to stay away from evil, and that he would die a natural death. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and doesn't watch TV or listen to the news.

He said that one of his sisters smoked 'that tobacco' and drank, and he had to watch her die. They ended up amputating her legs, and not long after that, she died. He said it was pitiful. Mr. Tidwell, on the other hand, hasn't been to the doctor in decades. The social security administration once investigated to see if someone else was cashing his checks, since there was no record of Mr. Tidwell seeing a doctor.

He told Chris that he doesn't work Saturdays. Chris asked him if he was a Jehovah's Witness. No, he said. God told him to 'get out from under religion.'

I can't get over this man. It's no wonder that so many people are fascinated by him. He said there is a white man who calls him every night, and Chris gets the impression there are a lot of people that keep tabs on him... How can you not respect and admire a 90+ year old man who works harder that most men 1/3 his age, never seems to be in a hurry, and is always more than willing to talk to you?

It is always a relief to see Mr. Tidwell show up in the spring for the first mow. He is like a favorite perennial you always hope to see poking up out of the ground in the spring. But when he does have to go, my personal wish is that he doesn't just die a peaceful death in his sleep someday... I'd like to see him disappear like Enoch.