Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Daddy's Driving





My daddy was the smartest man I ever knew and he was my hero. There wasn’t anything that he fell short of when it came to common sense and knowing how to get by. He always said, if ya got common sense ya can go far in life.  He’d be the first to admit he didn’t get much schooling as he put it , in one door and out the other. But times were different back then, kids had to help with the work, planting, harvesting, etc.

What time daddy wasn’t in the fields helping his daddy plow he was at the gristmill helping to grind the corn people would bring for their bread. That’d be an all day job. They’d come in home and eat supper and head towards the corn patches and plow till pitch dark.  They’d get up before the crack of dawn and head back out to the fields. Then his dad would tell him, you get on up that hill to school son. Daddy said, he’d stay for a little while and get something on his mind to do and slip out the back door. That teacher would keen his legs good the next day with that hickory limb but it didn’t do any good. He’d do the same the next chance he got. His daddy would jump on him when he got home and sometimes do the same as the teacher but it didn’t stop him none.

It wasn’t easy to get a book education back then but daddy learned early on how to get through life. He never let it stop him with anything except one thing and that was getting his driver’s license. He never would try. He said since he couldn’t read and write what was the use in trying. He always said, what are they gonna do with an old man like me if they catch me, put me in the jailhouse and throw away the key. If they did I’d have it made with three square meals a day and there’d be less expense and worry for your mammy to have on her shoulders. Of course mama didn’t see it that way and always said if they catch ya you’ll have to lay in the jailhouse cause I can’t get ya out.

From the time daddy was old enough to hold the reins he drove an old wagon helping his dad and I guess he figured why worry about a license now. There was so many old gutted out roads he traveled down in an old wagon and later on in life he helped build them and Dams too. He worked for the WPA (Worker’s Progress Administration) when President Roosevelt signed it into law. He always said it was the best thing to come along. That’s why he knew every road around.
I can honestly say he never did get caught and was blessed to never be in an accident. We told him he had angels riding with him and God for sure.
But there was this one time he came mighty close. He always took the backroads when he got the chance but sometimes he had no choice but to hit the main roads.

He was taking my sister to the doctor one day for a recheck on her knee that she’d fell and twisted a few weeks before, when they came upon a road check. She was around twelve or so and it scared her. She yelled, oh no we’re in for it now daddy. He said calm down and stop worrying so much. She said, they’ll put you in the jailhouse daddy, you ain’t got no license. He told her again to calm down and stop fretting. Daddy slowed the old truck down and stopped, waiting for them to get through with the car in front . The officer waved daddy on through when it came time for him to pull up and be checked. Daddy slowly pulled on out and they stopped the vehicle behind them. My sister said, I wonder why they didn’t wanna check us daddy, and daddy said, I told ya they ain’t got time to fool with an old man like me.

They got to the doctor’s office and when they walked inside, daddy walked up to the window and said, we’re here to get this gal’s knee checked, you know the one that tore her knee up while scuffling at school. One of the ladies asked my sister what her name was and she told her. Daddy found him a seat in amongst a bunch of old fellers and started running his mouth as if he knew everyone of them and they did the same. Who knows, he probably did. He knew everybody and if they didn’t know him they’d get to know him really fast

Daddy couldn’t write her name down on the clipboard or his own name either for that matter but it never stopped him from facing what life threw at him and he would walk into the biggest crowd to come along and made himself at home. He never saw a stranger.

I remember when he finally gave up his driving. His reflexes wasn’t as good as they once were and it was for the best. The old truck just sit there for the longest time and everyday he’d crank it up just to hear it run. We felt sorry for him but it was for the best. He finally gave in and sold it. And he never mentioned driving anymore.

 He taught me a lot about common sense and how to get through life. I’m so glad I got the privilege to attend school and learn what I did. My daddy and mama encouraged us kids to get as much education as possible. They always said, ya never know what you might face in life and how much ya may need it. They were pretty stern on an education and today I know why and appreciate them even more so. But common sense goes along ways and my daddy was living proof of that . He lived life to the fullest everyday and walked up and down the same roads that he help build. After we lost daddy the doctor told us that’s what kept him going was his walking. The only times I can ever remember him being in the hospital was when he had to have a couple of minor surgeries and being put in for his blood pressure being to high, as he called it the swimmy heads.
That’s sayin a lot for an old man that lived to the ripe old age of ninety four. I bet he’s talking to everyone he comes in contact with up in heaven and if there’s a chance he can drive, he’s doing that too.

I still hear him sometimes as he walks through my yard and those famous words, I’m going out to the old homeplace to check on the garden and see if that groundhog has eat it up.. Of course, that was just an excuse to go back to the old place where he was born and raised and where he raised his own family. He loved that old place and he followed his memories, just like I’m doing today. Thanks daddy for showing me how to follow my heart and giving me so many great memories. You sure did leave a lot behind for us all to enjoy.

© Susie Swanson, 2014

I know I've wrote alot about my Daddy but there's so much to tell and remember. He's been gone since 1998 and he lived to be 94. The picture above was taken two weeks before he passed away. He was an open history book and lived and seen so much in his life. I'll keep writing my memories cause when I'm gone they'll be gone. I miss my hero today but he left me with so much love and such wonderful memories.. Blessings, Susie

14 comments:

  1. This is such a wonderful post Susie!! I have tears in my eyes just thinking about my Daddy. He wore overalls too and I called him Daddy. Bless you for the memories!

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  2. Hi Susie, I love the stories of your life. Your father was a smart man. My mom used to say what good is book learning if you have no Horse Sense. :) My mom never went to school beyond the 8th grade. She would be pulled out to work also. I bet there were many hill people who never had driver's licenses. Take care, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie. My mother never got to go that much either. She learned how to read and write and some Arithimitic, as they called it back then. I remember she always did her figuring in her head.There was more people than we know that never had any license, Hugs to you.

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  3. You shared some wonderful memories, here, Susie. Your Dad was a good man, and you were lucky to have him.

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    1. Thank you Daisy and that's so nice of you. Yes I was really blessed.

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  4. Special memories are what keep special people with us. Your family is fortunate that they have you to put all those memories into words. Hugs to you!

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    1. Thank you Lise and I try. I hope someday the young generation will have them to look back upon. Hugs to you as well.

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  5. Susie, that is precious! What a blessing to have so many happy memories of a father who loved and cherished you.

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  6. Thank you for sharing the memories, Susie. Very special!

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  7. Hi Susie, I love hearing stories about your father. He sounds like a dear and wonderful man. I sure would have like to have met him. I never had the opportunity to meet my Grandpa Fletcher on my mother's side of the family. Your dad, reminds me of all the stories I heard about my grandpa when I was a little girl. He past away long before I was born.

    They said he was known for his common sense, never knew a stranger and was loved by all. He was farmer too, but also traveled from time to time during the 1930's playing in a country western band with his brothers. Everyone on my Mom's side of the family are musical. Most can play just about any instrument you hand them without reading a note of music. It is pretty amazing to see. My grandpa had 9 brothers. The ones that were remaining and their families held a big reunion about 20 years ago and we were all able to attend. They all brought their instruments and played and played. I don't think the old men took a break the whole afternoon. It was a beautiful thing to see. It was also really special to see my older brother go up with his guitar and play with his great-uncles. Have a restful evening tonight my friend and until next time...
    With Love, Delisa :)

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    1. Oh what beautiful memories you have Delisa. I love this and thank you so much for sharing. You should post this on your blog. Love and hugs to you

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