June 14, 2021, “I Remember When”- “The How and Why of 66 Years!”

The October day in 1957, promised to be warm, in the little town of Grenola, Kansas. Another revival meeting where I led the hymn sing, taught choruses about Jesus to little children.  The evangelist had a large family. His wife would soon add another to the family.  They stayed with one of the elders who lived across the street from the local minister, where I stayed.

One evening the local minister and his wife asked me to go with them to visit the elder. Little did I know how my life would change from the one meeting.  The elder’s son came home, and I was introduced. I don’t know what he saw, but I remember watching him toss his hat across the room and it landed easily on the lamp on the table.  A practiced toss. He had just come from caring for his father’s cattle. Both of us kept our distance from each other, barely nodding, and turned away.  Neither of us were impressed.

The next day, I sat on the front porch in the sun to read awhile.  My reading was interrupted when a rock landed near me with a thump.  I looked across the road, and there was Frank.  He worked on some king of farm equipment.

I walked across the street to ask him why he threw rocks at me.  We began laughing. I looked in the garage and saw a stack of Favorite Hymnals.  He gave me one, I still have it.

I stayed longer to help with the Evangelist’s family to help. I learned that Frank, bought coats for all the children, since the days were getting cooler.  That was impressive.

Frank’s birthday, October 22, and by then we were friends and learned he liked apple pie. I made Frank an apple year on his birthday from 1951 to 2014…after that. Always a Happy Birthday carved in the top crust.

The local minister wanted a Halloween party for the youth. We enjoyed doing the project together. Then one evening I made fudge and we visited, and one evening we went to the movies.  As we said good night, he surprised me, put his arm around me, and kissed me.  I felt at home and felt safe in his arms, not wanting to leave.

When I returned to my home, I told Mother about his proposal of marriage.  She surprised me by pointing out all the things that were positive.  He asked me again when he drove me to another small town for another revival, and I said the ‘yes’ that changed our lives.  The date was set for February 1, 1952.  We were married by the Grenola minister, and after a honeymoon, we began our home in a two-room house in the country. There was an outhouse in the yard, which blew over one windy day.  We bathed in a galvanized tub.  After we finished, I washed the kitchen floor with the bath water.

Then Frank began piping water from the spring across the road. What a celebration to turn on the faucet in the kitchen and see running water.  Next, his Uncle Galileo came and after some time two rooms were added, one was a bathroom. It was finished…before the surprise of twin boys were born. The second boy did not live! This was ten months after we were married.

It was then I realized the depth of love my Frank had when he bought a blue suit for Donnie to be buried in.  The local minister conducted the graveside service attended by Frank, and the two grandfathers. Three more children were added.

I have a mental picture of going to see the doctor when Dan was six weeks old. No diaper bag. Frank carried the baby, ready to care for Dan’s every need.  As he walked ahead of me, a diaper trailed from his left jean pocket and a baby bottle of milk in the right pocket. The picture of a Dad who is ‘all in’!

There were many changes in the sixty-six years we shared.  “I love you” was often heard.  During his last four years, Lewy Body Dementia erased his memory. I often found him reading the Bible…His faith was in Jesus, always. We listened to hymns together when I visited him, as often as possible.  We prayed together and we talked about Jesus.

Sometime he asked if Pappy (his father) was up yet.  He forgot me, and he forgot his children and grandchildren.

         Not long before he died, he gave me a love-gift I will never forget.  Although he had forgotten me, he said, “When you are near me, I always feel better.”  His last, “I love you!”