Dad, Mom and me, in the mid '60's.

My mom, Mary Lou, was my first and biggest fan. Her voice of encouragement still rings in my head all these years later as I recall getting my first guitar, writing my first song and performing it nervously to the family at 13.

She was behind me all the way to the end, when in 1999 she lost a long, painful battle to Lupus. She was only 56 years old. My sister Tiffany and I still talk about her often, and remember how she showed us the power of compassion.

With barely enough groceries for herself and her family, Mom would go through the cupboard and put together a basket for someone in need. She'd fill it with canned and boxed food, fruits, nuts, vegetables – always anonymous, and always with a note of encouragement. (She was always good with the encouragement.)

I know now, after reading her diaries, that she was inspired to do this by a single act of kindness shown to her one cold December night in the early 1970's, when she answered a knock at the door of our mobile home, but found no one there. What she did find were several bags of groceries and a few gallons of milk. On another occasion, Mom opened an envelope in the mail box, placed there not by mail carrier, but good samaritan. Five $20 bills were inside, with an anonymous note that said simply, "Mary Lou, We love you." That note is still tucked between two pages of her diary. The food and milk was doubtless quickly consumed, and the money spent on that month's heating bill, but the lasting legacy of a neighbor's kindness has been passed on to Mary Lou's children and grand children. Tiffany and I carry on similar traditions in our families as well.

So that's why we have "The Mary Lou McClain Memorial Fund," and conduct an auction annually that benefits low income families during the Holidays. Over the years, we have raised over $100,000, helping dozens of families with their energy bills, groceries, holiday gifts and house payments. It's all been done because of your generosity. Stay tuned to unhitched.com in November as we unveil this year's auction. Many of the items are hand made and donated by Flamingoheads around the world. We've auctioned off quilts, paintings, lawn ornaments, tree decorations, clothing, and gift certificates to restaurants and on-line distributors. One of the bigger auction items is the chance to host your own private party with me and the band. If you're interested in being involved this year, please e-mail us at thetroubs@unhitched.com, and we'll add you to our database and contact you as the season draws nigh.

As a way of saying thanks and remembering Mom, here's the song, Mary Lou's Christmas List, which says it all. Thanks for being there. Talk to you soon.

– Antsy McClain

lead singer guy, The Trailer Park Troubadours

LISTEN to Mary Lou's Christmas List

The above song is on the album "Merry Christmas From The Trailer Park." Order it HERE.