Lisa recorded our voice mail greeting at some point long ago. Over four years later, I had not recorded over it. So if you called our house, she would greet you.
However, after years of going out of my mind with Time Warner Cable, I decided to go with a new carrier. After I made the decision, I realized it would mean our voicemail greeting would be deleted. I’d have to re-record.
We worked hard to preserve Lisa’s voice, saving it on every phone and computer the family owns. And now, if I want to hear her, I just pull it up on my iPhone or Dell and listen. Sometimes its just nice to hear.
A while back my minister talked about the importance of voices. Someone referred to your voice as your thumbprint on the world. Man, I wish I could still hear those who are gone.
I imitate my friend Trey but I long for that slow southern drawl. He died in a car wreck several years before Lisa.
I lay in my bed the other night trying desperately to remember how each of my grandparents sounded. I almost could – my Grandmama Tanner’s laugh, Granddaddy Tanner telling me, “You have a hole in your head boy.” I could see my other grandmother’s face – she was by me on the bed. But I couldn’t quite remember her voice.
It’s like the inflection is there, rolling around the outskirts of my cerebrum, but I just can’t pull it out.
What a shame.
I get used to pictures, but I always had to brace myself when I phoned the house. Not in a bad way, but I had to be ready. Sometimes her tone would bring a smile. Sometimes it would bring longing.
I don’t know what I miss most – seeing, touching, or hearing her. She was a talker, man could she move those lips. Sometimes I’d wish she’d stop chatting everyone up after church and just get in the car – I was hungry!
Now I’d give anything to stand behind and wait. If only to hear her one more time.
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The Real Fuller House 
Introverted Mama
/ July 27, 2014Beautifully written.
Victor
/ July 27, 2014I lost the last voice recording of a dear friend who died a while ago & at times I always find myself longing to hear her voice again.
Danny Tanner
/ July 27, 2014It is a longing…
April Poole
/ July 27, 2014“one more time” are the words that hit you the hardest.
Suzanne Pickens
/ July 28, 2014Hi Danny! Apologize for hijacking this comment thread, I am legit, a ruling elder at 1st Presbyterian in Palatka, FL and soon to be heading up a new church directory, and wanted to ask about using your post on the “dreaded church directory” to add a little levity to the process. The problem, and I hope you will appreciate the irony, is that when I click on your contact email link, I am taken to a Google map for the Risque Cafe in Micanopy, FL — I’m guessing this is not your full house!!!! On topic — my dear late Daddy was on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries involving an embezzler who resided at the Sunny Sands Nudist Colony in Volusia Co (you can’t make this stuff up!) — we treasure that recording and for better or worse, it has been our way of introducing PeePaw to his beloved grandchildren who were too young when he passed to remember him — treasure that recording! Blessings!
Danny Tanner
/ July 30, 2014You’re welcome to use the post but I don’t know how to help you get it. Can you just copy and paste? I did do a post on Cafe Risque on I-95. I was offended at their billboards that my children would question – “Dad, why is there a naked lady on the sign?” I was afraid the next question was going to be, “Can I do that when I grow up?” Let me know how I can help. I can copy, paste and email it if you need.
Suzanne Pickens
/ August 11, 2014Thanks so much! I can copy and paste, no prob, just wanted to ask permission — many years ago, my mother would meet my SIL at the 207 exit of I95 to pick up my very precocious niece (now at Yale Seminary!) — they soon realized they would have to change the pick up point as Bailey was asking questions about the difference between the “adult toys” advertised at the “club” next to the truck stop and children’s toys and could they go to that store — out of the mouths……..
Danny Tanner
/ August 12, 2014That is a dangerous exit!