Suds in the Bucket...

She was in the backyard - they say it was a little past nine
When her prince pulled up - a white pickup truck
Her folks shoulda seen it comin' - it was only just a matter of time
Plenty old enough - and you can't stop love
She stuck a note on the screen door - "sorry but I got to go"
That was all she wrote - her mama's heart was broke
That was all she wrote - so the story goes..

~Sara Evans~Suds in the Bucket~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06o-EYH9svs

It was her favorite blue t-shirt. On the front was a small gold number 44 and the back had a large number 44 with the name Sara Evans on it. I do not have any idea when, where or how Heather even got the t-shirt. It could have been at a concert or through the mail. Only she would know for sure. But it was a very worn and loved shirt. The number 44 came from her Sara’s album “Three Chords and the Truth". It was the title-track and second single released from the album in 1997 and was the highest-peaking of the three singles released from Three Chords and the Truth, reaching #44. It was the highest number one of her songs reached from her solo album.

 

Now her daddy's in the kitchen - starin' out the window
Scratchin' and a rackin' his brains
How could 18 years just up and walk away
Our little pony-tailed girl growed up to be a woman
Now she's gone in the blink of an eye
She left the suds in the bucket
And the clothes hangin' out on the line

Heather fell in love with Sara Evans. She knew everything about her, her family and her life. If anything had the name Sara Evans on it Heather would buy it, listen to it or read it. In July, 2005 she talked me into driving to Tucson to attend a concert at the fairgrounds so she could meet and greet with Sara Evans. She was tickled pink at finally getting to meet her favorite country female artist. She even wrote and card and gave her a gift. This was a special trip for just her and me.

Heather with Sara Evans~July 2005

Now don't you wonder what the preacher's gonna preach about Sunday morn
Nothin' quite like this has happened here before
Well he must have been a looker - smooth talkin' son of a gun
For such a grounded girl - to just up and run
Course you can't fence time - and you can't stop love

Disneyland~March 2007

"Suds in the Bucket" is the title of a song recorded by country singer Sara Evans. It was released in May 2004 as the third single for her album Restless. It became her third number-one single on the US Country charts, and her first since "Born to Fly" in early 2001. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 18, 2005. This was my “ponytail girl’s” favorite song. Heather felt this song was written for her. The prince is a white pickup truck and everything. When this song would come on we would turn up with radio, sing and dance in the car.

Now all the biddy's in the beauty shop gossip goin' non-stop
Sippin' on pink lemonade
How could 18 years just up and walk away
Our little pony-tailed girl growed up to be a woman
Now she's gone in the blink of an eye
She left the suds in the bucket
And the clothes hangin' out on the line

Disneyland~December 2008

I was doing fine today until “Suds in the Bucket” came on my radio. I instantly thought of Heather wearing her blue #44 t-shirt. I missed her so much at that moment the tears just began to fill my eyes and roll down my cheek. I want so much to see her wear that shirt again. But this most loved t-shirt now is a part of the memory quilt I recently had made. I love the quilt but it is desperately sad to think I have to have it.

Heather's shirt now...

She's got her pretty little bare feet hangin' out the window
And they're headin' up to Vegas tonight
How could 18 years just up and walk away
Our little pony-tailed girl growed up to be a woman
Now she's gone in the blink of an eye
She left the suds in the bucket
And the clothes hangin' out on the line…