Friday, December 5, 2008

Walter

Walter, even if he had a nicer home, would prefer to sleep in a shed if that is all his brother had. He tended his mother's land after his father died. He worked for years in a steel mill, raising his family. He then farmed until his body grew too old. He faced illness and mortality with quiet determination. Though he disfavored idleness, he appreciated companied recreation. Such solidarity and humble strength may not produce material abundance. I don't think Walter cared.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Whenever I think of Grandpa, I remember days in a little john boat on some lake or creek somewhere catching catfish. And I always smell him..a combination of bait, fish and of course the stale odor of the can of Lone Star beer that he slowly nursed all afternoon until it was well past room temperature... but he always finished it.

A quiet, gentle man who knew how to work hard but loved to have fun. Remember this one?

Grandkid:"Grandpa, what happened to your finger?"
Grandpa: "Well, I made Grandma upset and she bit it off." said with a sly smile that made you wonder if he was joking or for real.