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October 20, 2007 (Day 56)
A tribute to my Father and Mother. My legacy. Daily, I am immersed in thoughts of you. Though I am not able to physically touch you, rest my weariness on your shoulder (and yours on mine), feel the comfort of your embrace, I am with you. And in my thoughts, I am in constant appreciation of the life you have given me.
As I know from having children of my own, our time with our parents is short-lived. Too soon we're leaving our home, stepping into the world unknown, taking with us the teachings, the love, the scoldings, the memories, the truth about life which was graciously given.
I remember our camping trips with Grandpa and Grandma Lamar, riding in Grandpa's boat, all of us girls with our orange life jackets so snugly secured we could barely  breathe and we looked like little stiff robots when we walked. I remember watching in amazement, Daddy water ski and how tall and strong he looked. I remember taking turns in the front seat of the car and how special that time was to be nestled between Mommie and Daddy. We had to tolerate the squeezes on the knee, but we didn't care. It made us giggle and yell "Daddy!" I remember summer vacations with Grandma Schoo in tow, riding in our big station wagon and going to exciting places like, Mount Rushmore, Washington State and Santa Claus Land. I remember getting the scolding eye from the pulpit when I misbehaved in church and being so proud to tell people that's my Dad. I remember the day Daddy took me fishing, to catch a fish for my biology project. I remember Dad calling out from his home office, as he typed on his old Royal typewriter, "Hey girls, How do you spell Apostle?" I remember the light kick in the butt when I came home late and missed supper. I remember sledding down the hill in the snow with Dad when we lived in Batesville and, coming into the kitchen all shivering and Mom having hot chocolate waiting. I remember how Daddy could, and still can, always make us laugh.
I remember when I ran away from home and upon my return a day later, Mother was sitting on the front porch crying. I remember the spit baths Mother gave us and the sweetness of her breath. I remember the piano recitals and the little women's clubs that Mom would take us to to help us feel special and teach us. I remember the challenges that Mother had trying to raise 6 kids and how sometimes she would cry with exhaustion. I remember Mother helping Grandma cook breakfast on the little green camping stove. I remember how Mother used to let me make my bedroom where-ever I wanted, even if it was in the corner of the basement, with furniture being used for walls. I remember Mother making us tents out of ladders and fixing us picnic lunches to eat under our new "house." I remember when we got older, if we really wanted to do something, we would wait until Mom went to sleep on the couch and then ask. The answer was always yes because she was half asleep. (Sorry Mom)
Then I wonder, I wonder how it must have been when Mom and Dad were young and in love. What was their first kiss like? The first time they held hands? Mother not big as a pea, all 98 beautiful pounds of her. And Dad, tall and slender, handsome and caring. What was it like to feel the excitement they felt when they finally got to spend some time together. Things weren't like they are these days back then. Things were "proper." Mom told me recently how much she missed Dad when he was off at seminary and she was still at home. I can imagine them setting up their first home, the excitement of their first born and, Dad’s graduation from seminary. And now, both in their seventies, in the blink of an eye. Like me being 50! Where did time go?
Thank you my precious parents. For teaching me laughter, for teaching me the security of family and seeing the good in people. Thank you for the experiences you gave me in my growing years. Thank you for making me feel safe and for your patience when I tested forbidden waters. Thank you for having faith in me and for the love that you immersed me in daily and still do.
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