3 AM Whispers: The Tragic Loss of a Bayou Legend
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
Good morning, everyone. It’s 3 AM here at the cypress swamp cabin overlooking the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. It’s been a while since I've written one of these posts, but I’m up early this morning, making coffee and trying to sort through feelings that feel too large for this quiet hour.
I received the call on Sunday. Uncle Jerry passed away. He was at the rehab facility where he had been staying, recovering from a back injury sustained while he was in jail—a situation that never should have happened, brought on by the insistence of the DA. The details of his last weeks are a complex and heartbreaking sorrow that we are still trying to process.
I am going to miss my Uncle Jerry so much. I will miss his laugh, his wisdom, his presence, and, most of all, his incredible Bayou stories and the adventures we shared. I look at the front porch, and his chair is empty, a silent, painful monument to the massive hole he has left in our lives.
Uncle Bill is understandably heartbroken. He’s been very cranky lately, and I know it's the raw grief of losing his brother and best friend—a sorrow I share deeply. Our local church is helping tremendously with arrangements, and others are stepping in to help me sort out what happened next.
In this deep sorrow, when the silence of his empty chair feels deafening, I turn to the only source of enduring comfort. For moments of profound grief, we are reminded that God draws near to the brokenhearted, and He knows the depth of our pain.
It brings to mind the unwavering promise of Psalm 34:18:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
At 3 AM, with tears and coffee, this verse is a life-sustaining truth. It reminds us that even when our spirit is crushed by this tragic loss, and even when we feel overwhelmed by the injustice and the sorrow, the Lord is close. He is here, with me, with Uncle Bill, and with all who loved our Bayou Legend, Uncle Jerry.
We will mourn this loss, but we will seek our strength in Him. Rest in peace, Uncle Jerry.
I wanted to make sure I got this out to you all now. Please keep Me, Uncle Bill and our family in your prayers. Have a blessed Tuesday.
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