My Mom and Dad what a wonderful life they shared. Dad was an adventurer of sorts. Always dreaming up new ventures to bring in money for the family or was it just trying on a variety of hats for the challenge. When I was little we had all sorts of animals but always horses. Dad owned a tavern that mom supported by doing the books. He leased a horse boarding ranch that we all supported and enjoyed. What kid wouldn’t be thrilled to rlde horses as their chore. But mostly, my dad built custom homes for clients that became lifelong friends. Dad’s greatest quality was his generosity which was also the thing about him that drove my mom the craziest. She was after all the bookkeeper and worried where the next pot of gold would come from. But dad always had confidence that he could share whatever he possessed with others. I am proud to say I got my own selfless spirit from my dad.
Mom and dad shared a love of camping, hunting, and wild parties with family and friends. Their New Year’s Eve parties were legendary for the crazy games they played. I can remember all my aunts and uncles doubled over with laughter during cheeky weeky or leggie weggie. But the risqué one that was epic was under the sheet. I would tell you how it was played but that would be a spoiler alert. The games were innocent with a hint of inappropriate. It was fun when Teri and I were old enough to join the fun and foolery. During leggie weggie I was blindfolded and the other had to feel all the guys calves to identify Ronnie B. I just knew I had found him since he is a runner and the calf I held was muscular. When they removed my blindfold I looked up into my dad’s amused face. It was a moment for sure.
Mom always supported my dad in all his schemes. Behind the scenes she did the books but also said yes to all his ideas. I love that about my mom. She was not always sure of his ventures being good ideas but she never denied him living life to the fullest.
Dad was the oldest of ten siblings and mom was the middle of three girls.I cannot remember a time when we weren’t spending time with cousins and family. Growing up in a large family was fabulous. Each house had unique opportunities to share. From Uncle Jim and Aunt Charlotte’s farm where we ran through cornfields to Uncle Bill and Elain’s pool that cooled us in the Phoenix summers, family was always a huge part of our lives. Mom’s family included us in camping trips as well as hunting outings. Yes, we ate venison on a regular basis. It is still not a taste I enjoy but food is food and we were a frugal family for sure.
Teri and I were the darlings to our parents but they also taught us to help with the care and feeding of the variety of critters dad brought home with mom’s permission. I was always glad when I got to do the horses rather than dishes and house chores. It worked out since my sister was more of a girlie girl so she preferred not mucking out stalls or loading hay. The life we led as kids was magical from getting horses of our own one Christmas to all the times in our uncle’s basement with cousins strewn across the floor watching the Wizard of Oz at Thanksgiving. That was the one time a year that the movie aired. So while aunts and uncles enjoyed one another upstairs the kids were downstairs out of the way.
I wouldn’t trade my childhood. Mom and Dad made life good for us. Now they are up in heaven along with my sister too soon. To say I miss them is an understatement. But I smile thinking of them up there together with so many family and friends that have passed. Now I am the only one left from our family of four but each of them lives on in me. Right now I am typing this under a lovely teal blanket that was my mom’s she so loved jewel colors. It is like a hug from her while I remember the days together. Someday we will all be reunited but until then I will enjoy my life and those who love me here and now. God is good and has filled my life with family, friends, and my Ronnie B who shares and appreciates who my parents were to me. I love that.
In Him,
Joyful
1-24-26
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