Arkansas Travelers

My Dad loved to do things for people. When I was a little girl in the 1950’s you’d see hitchhikers often. Daddy never passed one, even though Mom would fuss. He’d say, “That was me years ago coming back from the war and I sure appreciated a ride home.” Many Christmas’ as we made the trip to Grandma’s in another state, the car packed with presents, we’d make room for a stranger who was making his way home. I don’t remember the names of any of those people, but they felt like a friend after riding with Daddy a few miles.

Every spring he would set up cold frames so that he could start his tomato plants early. In the cold months of February and March he’d go outside no matter the weather to check on the progress of the 200+ tomato seedlings. Now Daddy didn’t need that many, but he wanted to share those “Arkansas Travelers” that he considered the best! All summer long he’d weed, water and tend that garden so that the bounty could be put away for their winter use. But the abundance was the real joy of that garden, he loved to share with neighbors.
Years ago, Daddy built me a chicken coop after I mentioned I would love to have one. They were visiting and he made the trip to town, picked up the needed materials and hauled them on the top of his CAR to build me the coop that held 6 little hens. Those clucking, bug-eating, fresh-egg-laying hens gave me so much pleasure.

He was a hard working Daddy who worked a 6 day week but never failed to take us fishing and camping. He was a mechanic that loved to cook breakfast or make big pots of stew for his family. He never tired of telling stories of long ago, family stories of his Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins.

I see him when I am out on the lake, or digging in the garden. I see him when I see someone down on their luck needing a hand up. I see him when we gather for family meals and remember how much he delighted in us all being together. I see him in our Grandsons, growing up to be strong men who will carry on where Daddy left off.