1-31-11...KEEPERS OF THE MEMORIES
Memories are what makes us who we are Without our memories we would be but an Autumn leaf that floats to the ground withered and forgotten. Each day God gives us in a Blessing and a memory in the making. What I do with my day is up to me and if I waste it that's one of my leafs dying on the ground like so much garbage.
Even bad memories will be somehow good to remember. There is always a hero , an occurrence, or light at the end that will make a good memory and no leaf has died on the ground to be walked on.
I always feel like I have to keep my memories alive or my life has mattered for nothing.
The ones who started and were the keepers of my memories were my Parents. Daddy was ten years older than my Mamma. He was 28 and she was eighteen. Daddy always said he raised Mamma just the way he wanted her.
Daddy's Mother died shortly after he was born and he never knew her. Pappa married again and Daddy had one of those evil step-mothers who hated him. Edith tried to get rid of Daddy. She beat him and even Prayed for him to die. Daddy left home when he was 15 and lived with his sister Ethel. He went in the coal mines to work shortly after that. Even though Edith was mean to Daddy he treated her with respect until she died and we were taught to do the same. After I found out how badly she had treated Daddy I sure didn't want to be good to her but Daddy said I had to because two wrongs don't make a right. Daddy had two sisters and three half sisters. Pappa farmed and he made Daddy quit school in the second grade to help him. Daddy was plowing mules when he was barely able to grip the plow handles. They had enough to eat from the farm but nothing extra.
Mamma had two sisters and three half brothers. They never had enough to eat. They came close to starvation but not because Grandpa didn't try to provide. Mamma was the oldest and had many responsibilities that were too much for a child. The girls had two dresses that Grandma made from feed sacks. They wore one to school came home and put a ragged one on while Grandma washed dried and ironed the good one for school the next day. They survived one whole winter on a 50 # bag of cornmeal. Grandpa managed to get the dry corn and a neighbor ground it for him to make the meal. They had corn meal mush with no sugar for breakfast and fried or baked corn meal cakes for the other two meals. They were made with water, no eggs or milk. They took these to school for lunch and now and then had mashed beans on them. Other kids made fun of them.
Mamma and Daddy both learned to work. They also learned humility, kindness, and high morals. They always wanted us to have more than they had. We had more but not much more. The main and best thing they passed on to us was character and wonderful memories that have kept me going through some hard times. And this is the reason I give my Parents credit for what I am. They were my example and I am eternally grateful. They were the maker of my memories. Thank you Mamma and Daddy. You did a good job always and I love you.
