When I was 4, back in the early 1950's, I had the brilliant idea of selling dandelions and set up a road-side stand. Our little farming community was SO small, that if 3 cars went down the road in an hour, it was like a parade. I spent the morning picking those pretty dandelions and had them arranged in mason jars under the front maple tree. One of our neighbors fathers stopped on his way home and bought two bunches for his wife to enjoy. You never told me that you called him and asked him to stop that day, but I was so thrilled about those two nickels in my hot little hands. As a parent, and grandparent now, myself, I understand the true love behind such a small deed just to make a child happy!
I'll bet you didn't notice that your unselfish deeds for the community made an impact on me. When you mortgaged our farm and house to start a volunteer fire department, and buy the first truck and all, I saw you were willing to put everything on the line to keep other people safe and protected. Not every man would be willing to take such a gigantic risk: if the fire department failed, not only would you lose your house, but your family farm and income. This year celebrates the 50 plus years that our volunteer fire department has been in the black. The little building that held one pumper and tanker, is now huge and holds many pumpers and tankers, as well as rescue equipment and trucks. I'm so proud of you! You taught all of us how one man can make a difference for the betterment of all!
I'll bet you didn't notice that you taught me that sometimes life causes you great injury and pain, but with faith, life goes on. That fall, during harvesting, you lost your arm in a corn-picker. It was so devastating, to you and changed your life forever. Yet you learned how to do everything all over again when you were forced to become a 'lefty.' On fire safety days at the local elementary, you not only taught them about staying safe, but you let those curious children sit on your lap and see how that arm actually worked to open and close. What you didn't know, is that you were teaching them too: things happen and you can still be productive and have a good life. You taught me perseverance, and that even in life's sometimes darkest hours, with the help of loving family and friends, one can still find rays of sunshine. I also learned that when disaster strikes, a whole community pulls together to help. I'm pretty sure most of those firemen never planned on re-arranging their schedules so that they could send extra help for Mom and us during the twice a day milking of all those cows.
I'll bet you didn't notice that you taught me determination through all those years of riding and loving horses. I have to admit I wasn't always thrilled about getting bucked off a horse and then having to get right back on so that it wouldn't learn bad habits. It taught me that even though things don't work out well the first time around, you have to keep trying until it does work out, and if plan A doesn't work, there's always plan B, and a whole alphabet to go through.
You taught me love of family, love of nature, love of community and country. You taught me that animals that can't take care of themselves get took care of first. Your actions and deeds taught me more about life than mere words could ever tell. You taught me so much, and did it with a Father's love. If Heaven has a post office, I wish it could deliver this message to my Dad! Happy Father's Day, and I'm really glad you get to be with Mom again, and that God hand picked you to be my Father.
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