OUR FATHER - By Wanda Bunker Abbott
Father was a humorist. Indeed he realy was. He oft applied his clever wit To fit most any cause. When Vaughn complained of no hot water With which himself to scrub, Father said, “When Vaughn gets in it doesn’t take much water With which to fill the tub.”
When Wanda got upset with Wayne And scolded him right good, He sassed her back, which made her mad, Much madder than it should. She took him to his bedroom To thrash her wayward son. When she returned, angered still, Fathers smiling coment was, “Who won?”
When Wanda came in late for prayer He called on her to say it. She said she didn’t feel like praying. He said she’d need the spirit. Yes father found a way To handle almost any deal. With cousen Ethel in the way He braided her hair to the wagon wheel, Marva was a party queen With organdy dress so fair. The only problem with it was Her shoulders—”see through bare” “Now looky here, her father said, We’re living way out west. If you are going out like that You’d better wear my vest.”
Father tended water ditch And regulated “Big Ditch” water. Mother often worried some When he was late—or later. But father often made excuse He’d had to dry his socks. Laid down to take a nap On a pile of nice warm rocks. Reva was a choosy lass. Things had to be just right. When boy friends came she made a fuss ‘Till all were most “up tight”. Now father, these are not to eat at first. They’re “after dinner mints”. When father finished up his plate he calmly asked the boy friend To pass the FEENAMINTS. Now father, this new boy friend Is realy something great. I don’t want to be embarassed On this our first real date. Well father didn’t promise That he would show much grace, But noisely crawled accross the floor And spat into the fireplace.
Father came from off the farm His hat and shirt and jacket worn down to barest thread. He hanged his jacket on a peg With hat from off his head. Mother ripped the shirt from off his back With firm determined hands. And tore it into tiny shreds, From colar, seams, and bands.
Fathers look was jocular. Now what am I to do? I won’t have anything to match The twine in my old shoe. She started for his jacket. He quickly grabbed his hat. She might tear up his other clothes But he’d hang onto that.
Yes father had a sense of humor. He loved his family dear And oft came up with witty joke To add a bit of cheer. And I suspect that where he is In the great life hereafter He calls upon his ready wit To brighten life with laughter.
Father was a gentle man With great concern for others. His heart went out continually To family, friends, and brothers. It didn’t matter who was wronged Or abused by animadvert, He sympathized most heartily When ANY one was hurt.
Father was a family man. He loved them, Oh so dearly. He didn’t like to see them quarrel, And tried to keep them cheery. On Sunday he would wash the dishes And help clean up the muss, To keep the girls most happy So they’d not cause a fuss. While living on the ranch at Carp They’d a lack of entertainment. He took them to a sandy hill Dressed in worn out raiment. He made for them a wooden sled On which they could Tabbogin. It filled them all with much delight And some, a skinned up noggin.
When on the ranch there came a drought. We hadn’t enough water. The garden shriveled dry and parched As the sun got high and hotter. We filled the fifty gallon barrels And hauled them to the garden. We poured it on the melon patch Before the ground could harden.
The quick-sand in the river Was such a treacherous snare It sucked down wheel and animals Whenever we stopped there. But father learned to handle it. Across it we would rush. If stuck, then we were fortified With arm loads full of brush. Father lived so close to God He had a special spirit And oft could tell when things were wrong. With family he could feel it. He’d start at once to investigate Until he found the answer. Oft times he found a major trouble With sickness, death, or cancer.
And then he lent himself most freely To help the situation In any way he possibly could With money, time, or consolation. He had a knack of doing things, In or out of fashion, That gave each problemed, concerned child Knowledge of his compassion.
Source:Brent Bunker