"Grandpop, 4th of July and Independence"

Howdy Folks,

A few friends and family had made the trip to Grandpop’s ranch for Independence Day, not as many as years past, but enough to make a fun gathering. As usual, I’d lost my share of horseshoe matches, even though Grandpop had done his best to coach me for decades, but I never mastered the flip and slide. Most folks had set out for home after the steer roast, a few of us hung around for the campfire. 

My future daughter-in-law, Sissy, had been engrossed with Grandpop pretty much of the day, listening to his stories, making sure he had all the drinks and food he could handle, and pretty much just making a fuss over him. Of course, his taking her on her first ever trail ride only set the hook he had in her deeper.

Sissy and Grandpop sat across the dwindling fire from me; she still hung on his every word. I was unable to hear when the conversation shifted to serious mode, but I could sense a change in the air.

“Mostly I worry for the young ones. My grandchildren, the little great-grandchildren, and your, yet to come, young ‘ins. I’ve had a full great life, did pretty much all I’ve ever wanted to, except for a few things Grandma frowned on, but it’s the youngest of us that I weep for.”

“Don’t you think the world is a much better place today than when you were young?” Sissy’s expression telegraphed her confusion.

“Can’t speak to the world, but as we sit here celebrating our own Independence Day, I can’t help but wonder and worry about some of the changes our country and folks are going through. You bet, Sissy, I’ve been witness to some marvelous changes, but recently there have been too many changes that worry me. For the sake of the young ‘ins and even our country.”

“I don’t understand why, Grandpop, I think our country is changing so much for the better. The government’s doing great things to help everyone, like health care, job security … so many wonderful things are finally being done by the government to help people. A lot of people need help today.”

Grandpop poked the fire sending sparks high and smiled at Sissy. “Are you sure you want the government doing all that? There’s always been help for folks who need it from family, charity outfits, churches and independent organizations. We’re the most charitable nation to have ever existed. I've been around a long time and I disagree with folks who say the government can do it better.”

“I think the government can do it better and give people more security.” Sissy insisted.

“That’s the root of my worry. The more and more folks turn to government for what they think is security, the more and more of their independence they give up, without even knowing it. What I worry about for the young ‘ins is how easy it is to learn to turn to the government for everything. I fear it’s become too easy to trade security for independence for too many, and that’ll chip away at their dreams, hopes and eagerness to pursue those dreams ... Everyone should fight hard to keep the right to struggle to make their dreams come true. Not trade it for simple security. What is security without dreams? Without independence? Not much I reckon.”

I could see Grandpop had Sissy thinking, she didn’t ask a follow up question, just asked if they could ride again tomorrow. I hoped she’d have more questions tomorrow.

********

Kessy, Saturday & me writing

This is the Tenth in my series of Grandpop stories. I began writing about Grandpop, June 27, 2013, with what at the time I imagined what would be a standalone short story, "Perhaps I've Just Lived Too Long." You can read that story (and find links to go on) (HERE)   Folks said they enjoy visiting with Grandpop, so I wrote more. Frankly, I enjoy him too.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Independence Day" - the second in my Grandpop series.

Howdy Folks,

This is the second in my Grandpop series - You can read the first - "Perhaps I've Just Lived Too Long (HERE) - Many Coffee Clutchers really enjoy visiting with Grandpop. I hope you will too.

"Independence Day"

The grandchildren sat transfixed by the old man. In a semi circle under the massive oak they watched and listened as his tired voice told grand stories of his youthful days, before he'd gone to the big war, when he was a cowboy on the vast ranges that still surround them here in the Texas panhandle. His three old mares had joined us too. They stood behind him almost asleep. I chuckled when I thought they'd heard all these stories before. So had I.

The Coffee Clutch family

It was pleasant under the big tree, even though the thermometer on the side of the weathered barn told me it was just under 100 when we'd strolled by it on the way to Grandpop's story tree.

Grandpop was deep into the story about the time he and his best friend, Tex, who didn't make it back from the war, were asked to escort a special lady from the train station to the ranch and got caught in a thunderstorm that had them holed up under the wagon for 2 hours. "Boy howdy," I heard him say, "She was sure enough as mad as a hornet. Why you'd have thought Tex and me had conjured up that big blow just to ruin her travelin' dress." He paused and looked around the circle of young faces. "I think it was the first time I ever heard a lady cuss." He chuckled. "And she was good at it too."

I looked back at the gathering of folks between the house and barn, too far to hear any of their voices. Smoke was drifting up from the campfires where steaks were grilling, and a few games of horseshoes were going on. Looked like guys against gals. I could see cousin Fred boring everybody he could lasso, bragging over his new Cadillac.

I remembered when I sat under the tree listening to Grandpop's stories. He never told any stories about his time in the war, at most he'd mention it took him away and he married Grandma the week he got home. He'd use that as a lead into how they set out together to build this little ranch, and raise a family here, 3 boys and 2 girls. "Why when we bought this little chunk of land there wasn't even a single building on it." I heard him say.

I'd be turning 60 in a few months and I thought about how much this tiny ranch and that old man meant to me. His horses, his stories, his advice. I cupped my face so no one could see the tears swelling in my eyes. I thought about all the years I was too busy to come home for his big Independence Day shindigs. A pang in my gut told me I'd not get those visits back. Those were lost chances. My wet eyes surveyed the smiling faces watching him talk and an uneasy feeling swept over me as I wondered who would be the family's anchor when he was no more. We all came to him when we were troubled. And when we had the biggest news to share.

Independence Day wasn't the only big shindig here at Grandpop's ranch, but I always thought it was his favorite. At some point one of the children would always ask why he liked 4th of July so much. Of course as I grew older I sensed that he steered the conversation in that direction so he could tell them. "This is the only country in the entire history of the world to be founded on the principle that everyone is equal and that the independence of everybody was what matters the most so everyone can be whatever they want to be." It's that freedom that makes our country so wonderful he would explain. Of course some of the youngest wouldn't totally understand until they heard the stories a few times. It takes a while to understand what's truly important, I suppose.

I thought again of the years I'd missed Gandpop's shindigs. It does take a while to understand what's important, and I understand now sometimes we need to lose it a little before we truly understand.

Somebody at the barn jerked the rope on the dinner bell and yelled, "Come and get it!" Bouncing to their feet the children yelled in unison, "Come on Grandpop!" I took his hand, helped him to his feet, and for the first time ever I noticed how frail he'd become. How tired his eyes. A shiver ran through me. A small panic. Who will tell the stories under the big oak when he's gone? Will anyone remember?

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

You can read the next (3rd) Grandpop story, "Grandpop's Horse" (HERE)