Memories

Carolyn, my Dad, & my brother, Donny

I like this picture. I was 9 years old ~ my dad was 59 and Donny was 12. By the way my dad is dressed, he must have spent a day out in the field working. He had a hard life. He never drove another car after his Model A or T (I forgot which model) stopped working for him. I remember going to town on the country road (he wouldn't dream of taking the highway!) and he would park on a side street. Donny and I would get out and find a big rock or two to put behind the tires so that the car wouldn't roll backwards. He'd always buy me a Baby Ruth candy bar. I found out one time that he wanted to name me Ruth.  But, if you knew my maiden name, you wouldn't have thought it to be a good idea! I would have been teased ALL my life. One time when I was young like this, I had to take him a snack out to the field behind our grove. Corky and I took a walk. When my dad came home for supper, I heard him asking my mom why she didn't send him something to eat. She said she did and asked me what happened. Well, you see, my dad was in the field with a team of horses and I got scared that he wouldn't see me and perhaps unknowingly run me over, so Corky and I sat down and shared the sandwich and threw the coffee away. I don't remember, but more than likely I got a scolding!! I remember one time when my dad came home from the field, he told me to reach into the pocket of his jacket. I did and then I screamed. He pulled out a little bunny that he found. One time it was a little duck. I went to a one-room country school when I was in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. In the freezing North Dakota winters, dad would hitch a team of horses to the hayrack and take us. We'd lay on some hay with a blanket covering us and I do remember a time or two when Mom heated some flat irons and put them down by our feet to keep us warm....just like in the 'old days'. When the weather got nice that luxury was gone and we'd have to walk the mile back and forth. My dad wasn't much of a talker. I was closer to my mother and I'm glad. Had I been closer to my dad, I would have grown up thinking that God had two names and not one ... BUT... HE IS HOLY. When I got saved I remember lifting my dad up to our Father in prayer. The Holy Spirit impressed upon me to LOVE him. After my mother passed away and I was returning to California ~ when I took my dad's hand in mine it seemed that ALL the love I had for my mother transferred right to him ... because, you see, he was my Father...my Parent. It was good. Dad has been gone now for 29 years. I did not go home for his funeral as I was pregnant with Eric. I do not know if he made it Home or not; however, I do KNOW that the Holy Spirit was especially close to me the week he passed away. He is such a great Comforter. Wait!!! I remember one more thing about my dad! One summer this kid from town would always come to our farm and spend most of the week (if not all) with us. His name was Mike Toy. If he didn't catch a ride out, he'd get on his sister's bike and come. Now, that was good because, you see, I didn't have a bike. I would ask my dad to hold it  and I would get on and slowly turn the pedals. Eventually, I learned and became a master at it. I remember my mother telling my orthopedic doctor that I had learned to ride a bike despite my having a dislocated hip.  Now, that was good too, but I still wonder . . ."Will the circle be unbroken ~ by and by Lord, by and by? There's a better Home awaiting in the sky Lord, in the sky."