I sent my old football coach my reminiscences — CULLYROCK — and here follows his response, which was handwritten.

Dear Huneycutt,

What a blast!

Having a great weekend at North Stanly was great and receiving your epistle was icing on the cake.

I have always wondered what went on in the heads of the players I coached. Now I know why they always referred to me as that “sweet old boy” and only used the initials. All this time I thought I was just a kind, generous and softhearted old guy, and I saw Elvis at Walmart today.

I remember your fondness for music. I remember you had your own group and did a miming takeoff on the group KISS, with lights, smoke and all.

Please give my regards to any of the folks that were at the get-together, and especially to those who were not, that you see.

Again, thanks for the “review,” you didn’t just make my day, you made my decade.

Now I have to go read it again for the eleventh time. So far I have not been able to get through it without tearing-up, partly with laughter and part nostalgia.

I have never been much on setting goals, choosing routes or shooting at specific targets. Maybe I was afraid of failing to attain them or maybe I just like adventure and surprises. I usually just went where the wind carried me and thought there was a reason for it. Anyway, I am glad that part of my “shot gun” approach gave me 5 years in Stanly County. I tell my wife every place we have been was because we were supposed to be there.

Please excuse the penmanship, it was not good before I had a hole in my retina! I am hanging tough in the fourth quarter and giving thanks daily.

Love ya,

Coach

P.S. Old coaches never die, they just “kick off.”