My heritage is very special and meaningful to me. I have done some research and gathered some memories that will live on through photos and writings. Generations have come and gone, lives have been lived and families have been loved. I know there are some I will never know much about except for the fragile photos and letters and receipts which are yellowed with age from a forgotten attic or basement. Yet, they are my family and they have endured hardships and heartaches. I cant begin to imagine.....life was probably slower then and they experienced similar joys. Over the years while learning and listening and weaving stories and photos together, I was caught up in a journey only my imagination could take me. I do wish I could step back into time and be a part of their lives....share their secrets, their joys, and be a part of their stories, then it would be easier to fill in between the lines.
But for now, I will continue to gather my family onto pages with pictures and a few faded words or names from the backs of the old photos. I am a part of the puzzle and a piece of my heart is tucked into each page I write. Their precious lives and sweet memories are a part of who I am...after all, this is my heritage.
Just a few weeks ago, my daddy was able to come out here to California for a visit. Of coarse to see many people, but wanted and needed some quality time with his older brother Ralph. They had great times and one of those days they ventured south to find the house they grew up in.
McFarland..... Ralph says he moved there from Texas, so at the age of 12, my daddy would of only been four. Talk about memories....Ralph actually broke the curfew law, yes, he was picked up and he spent the night in jail. The jail is still standing....
They love to talk about picking cotton. The story goes 2 ways......
1. my daddy worked hard ALL day picking cotton
2. my daddy picked just enough cotton to get a comfy
bag and took a nap on it the rest of the day
(spoiled brat)
I've yet to figure out the way the true story really goes! I'm pretty sure though!
My daddy remembers a few things about this house in McFarland.....
He threatened to spit on the ground, being warned if he did, he would clean it up.....sure enough his sister Georgia made him clean it up when he did spit....always pushing the envelope!! My daddy says his closest sister in age Nora was a fink. "she told on me when I stole a car from the dimestore. He had to not only return it, but experienced the leather whipping strap, which is apparently long gone....thank goodness it was thrown away with the fear that it would be used on his kids...thank you grandma Reynolds!!
just a few years later!!!
they remember the shed behind the house too.
after 10 days together just recently they had lots of laughs, rilling each other up, talking politics, family life, growing up, health and who's gonna die first. you see, their siblings and father were 47, 52, 58, not a long life-span, so they are both happy and surprised and grateful to be 85 and 74.
But the day before my daddy had to fly home his last words to Ralph were.." now, don't go dying on me or..." and Ralph says " what you won't speak to be again?' my daddy says "no, i'll shake your ashes!" (another joke between them....Ralph wants to be buried while my daddy cremated and no changing either one of their minds)
Once again I'm blessed to be able to write and weave photos together to continue and be able to share apart of my heritage that I love so much and its
All Because of His Amazing Grace.....
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