A Father's Determination

My Dad as a little boy.

My Dad doesnt' usually talk about when he was a kid

but last week he opened up and told me a story that I want to share with all of you.  The conversation started with a question about my Great Aunt Golden's  house.  I always loved that place and was curious if it was my Great Grandparents  place or if it had been past down from my Great Uncle Dewey's  family.  That question wasn't answered but what followed answer a question I had since childhood.  It's really a simple question that any young fifth grader would have asked.  Why did Dad put the exact change for our lunch, a quarter, a dime, and a nickle, on the TV every morning before work?  I remember watching him doing it.  He was careful to keep it in order.  It was always the same, he never missed a day. 

If you look careful at the picture above you will notice that the little boy, my Dad, wasn't what some might call, wealthy.  In fact the picture speaks of poverty.  My Dad is the sixth of eight kids born to a carpenter whose job provided little for his family.  There wasn't much for them to eat outside of fish grandpa caught and the family garden.  Dad told me that there were many times he went without a school lunch and often had to walk to the nearby grocery store to charge food for their supper only to be turned away from the clerk for an unpaid balance.  He knew what hunger was, however, I never did.  That is hard to grasp.  A young child going without, having to do what a father should have done. 

There was never a time throughout my childhood that I had to skip a school lunch or beg for my families supper.  My Folks always provided.  They had that "old way determination" that made sure of it. So now when I think back on why Dad always put the coins out in order I will remember that he was determined that his children would never go with out.  I thank God for him everyday. 

My Dad as a little boy.

My Dad doesnt' usually talk about when he was a kid

but last week he opened up and told me a story that I want to share with all of you.  The conversation started with a question about my Great Aunt Golden's  house.  I always loved that place and was curious if it was my Great Grandparents  place or if it had been past down from my Great Uncle Dewey's  family.  That question wasn't answered but what followed answer a question I had since childhood.  It's really a simple question that any young fifth grader would have asked.  Why did Dad put the exact change for our lunch, a quarter, a dime, and a nickle, on the TV every morning before work?  I remember watching him doing it.  He was careful to keep it in order.  It was always the same, he never missed a day. 

If you look careful at the picture above you will notice that the little boy, my Dad, wasn't what some might call, wealthy.  In fact the picture speaks of poverty.  My Dad is the sixth of eight kids born to a carpenter whose job provided little for his family.  There wasn't much for them to eat outside of fish grandpa caught and the family garden.  Dad told me that there were many times he went without a school lunch and often had to walk to the nearby grocery store to charge food for their supper only to be turned away from the clerk for an unpaid balance.  He knew what hunger was, however, I never did.  That is hard to grasp.  A young child going without, having to do what a father should have done. 

There was never a time throughout my childhood that I had to skip a school lunch or beg for my families supper.  My Folks always provided.  They had that "old way determination" that made sure of it. So now when I think back on why Dad always put the coins out in order I will remember that he was determined that his children would never go with out.  I thank God for him everyday.