Category: General thoughts

About my dad

I keep a small box by my chair. It contained a bar of Naval Supremacy soap from the Duke Cannon Supply Co. I know that sounds weird, but let me tell you why: There is a note on the box that says: “Made in the same plant that supplied Korean War troops”. When I read the note, this story went through my head.

In February 1952, a young man came home on leave from Fort Ord, CA, before being sent to Korea. He was twenty-one. He came to East Texas to see his mother and grandmother, but most importantly, to see his barely eighteen-year-old girlfriend. They had been introduced by his mother some months earlier, and while away at boot camp, his love for her grew.

His family traveled to central Louisiana to visit his kinfolk during his leave and he took his girlfriend along to meet them. He had proposed before the trip but they decided to be married before he went overseas. She was so small, she had a difficult time finding a dress. They finally bought a size 3 and had it altered. They got the license and were married on Monday, February 26th after a revival service at Rocky Mount Baptist Church in Robeline, Louisiana. The church was packed with people outside watching through open windows but it happened so fast her parents couldn’t attend. He left for Korea two weeks later and was gone for a year.

When he came home, he built a good life for his wife and their three kids. They were married fifty-six years before he made heaven, through good times and hard. Through those years, he sacrificed so much, but always had more to give. She is now with him again after living without him for almost four years.

I am the youngest of the three. We were blessed to have been raised by a hero. My dad was a great man, not wealthy with goods but with family and friends. He was wise and caring, always listening and accepting of others. If you knew him, you know that words are not big enough to tell of his life.

So, when I read that soap box, this is where my mind goes. Thank you to Duke Cannon Supply Co. for the reason to remember my dad.

Christmas 2018

The days leading up to, and Christmas Day were filled with so many memories, at times almost overwhelming, but also with fun thoughts and times with my family and Reneé’s sister, Joan. We took a photo of Zack with us to our family gathering and set him by the table so he could watch all the activities. The family thought it appropriate.  We did not watch our normal list of movies as I had stated we would in an earlier post. We weren’t ready. Great sadness is hard to overcome, and we wanted, as much as possible, a season of joy. Please don’t be critical of that statement, especially if you have no experience.
 
In November, we picked a name from the Angel Tree. Jude picked the name of a ten-year-old boy. The young man wanted shirts, pants, shoes, socks, and, like any boy, a bicycle. Jude was so glad to get the items of clothing. We asked him to pick everything, and he did so with a great smile. We also asked Jude to pick a bicycle for him, too, which he did, and, unwittingly, chose the same for himself. We decided to get it for him before he learned to ride his smaller bike. He succeeded in learning two weeks before Christmas, so he thought Santa Claus was watching! He is so proud of himself for getting past the fear of falling. Learning to face and overcome fear, and the joy of giving without expectation of reward is so essential to life, and he has made a good start.