Did I
ever consider trying to understand them?
“No,”
I would reply. What either stated by them (or admonished us about)
was
not to be questioned!
If
my sister (14 months my senior) or I disobeyed, we were reprimanded.
Next time, it was a 'trip to the barn'! My sister was there a few
times (never discussing with me what had occurred). It was always at
least 30 minutes before she returned. I knew the horses were stabled
in the barn as well as their tack (harness); I had imagined that my
father had applied the leather reins to her. Fortunately, I never
made that trip! If caught in a lie, Mom would scrub our mouths with
strong soap!
My
mother had beautiful flower gardens, so it was frequent that
neighbours stopped by to admire them and share a cup of tea with her.
One time I had to 'go pee' so went to the 'outhouse' to relieve
myself. However, my father was using it...standing beside the wall
of our house where I could view him leaving it, I tried very hard to
'hold it'...and calling to him that I was waiting. I couldn't
interrupt my mother with her visitors...finally, the pee ran down my
legs on to the grass. My father, realizing what I had done...spanked
me and strongly reprimanded me! And I was so humiliated!
They
fed us...they clothed us...they taught us 'right from wrong' ...they
trained us to work together as a family with the vegetable gardens,
the fruit tree orchards, with the sowing and harvesting of crops. In
school, we were never allowed to participate in 'extra-curricular'
activities. We attended church and Sunday School dressed in 'our
best' complete with hat and gloves; never were we permitted to attend
“Girl Guides” held in another church's Parish Hall. However, we
were involved with 4-H Clubs:
A
Youth development program to encourage gardening, landscaping,
farming
in general, vegetable and fruit markets, sewing and cooking,
and
the raising of farm animals.
The
4-H Clubs today can be found in over 70 countries where almost 70
million
young people share in the 4-H experience. In our day, we submitted
crafts and baking, choice fruit, vegetables, flowers...even calves
and lambs...all to be judged within the Club and also with entries at
local fall fairs.
When I reflect on our parents' teaching and training, it was
beneficial, keeping us on 'straight paths' and away from 'worldly
enticements'. However, there were many times, especially in High
School where we felt segregated...unable to participate in activities
with our school friends.
Why should our parents deny us these opportunities???
Why could I not attend a daytime performance with my Grade 12
classmates to view a Shakespearean play, travelling by bus to the
Capitol Theatre in Brantford...to enhance our Literature
appreciation? Two English teachers from school came to discuss this
with my parents. The answer was still negative!
During my High School days, I played softball with the Burford
Bluebirds. Loving baseball, my father took me to the International
League's Brantford Red Sox games occasionally; once, I had 'lucky
numbers' for a drawn prize...so excited was I to discover I'd won a
case of ginger ale plus 6 free movie passes to the Capitol Theatre.
We gladly accepted the pop...my father tore the tickets, discarding
them.
(The
reason for the rejection of the two foregoing experiences was due to
the fact that...it
would be supporting the sins of Hollywood!)
My parents' attitudes like these, I didn't understand!
There
were also good times designed for our 'life training'...Easter Sunday
was one of them! As teens, my sister and I were driven into
Brantford to attend a Sunrise
Service. We
had new coats, hats and gloves, so felt thrilled to attend this
Christian youth service along the banks of the Grand
River...following which we were all entertained with breakfast at a
local Christian church. And now, to the gist of this writing:
Playful
Frogs and Toads: Living
on a farm, Mom would leave my sister and me in the house while she
assisted Dad with the 'milking and feeding of the cows' which was
done twice a day. Many evenings, Eileen gathered up a few frogs (or
toads) which she'd locate near marshy grasses adjacent to our
house...bring them to the kitchen table for us to play with. This
was Great Joy! But one time, Mom returned early...and we were
caught! I failed to understand why Eileen was 'sent to the barn'
because of this bit of fun we were enjoying. WHY?
The
Old Dishcloth: For
some reason, ugly
warts developed
on the top of my right hand, forming a thickish line below the
knuckles. (Was this God's punishment for playing with these
amphibians???) To rid the warts, Mom suggested I take an old
ragged dishcloth
and bury it in the garden. She was certain my warts would
disappear!!! (Recalling, I really believe that behind that stern
discipline, was a sense of imagination... and a sense of humour.)
After 4 weeks, she sent me to dig up this old rag...and would you
believe? The warts had already begun to disappear!!! Such Magic!
My
Mother's Talent:
She gave readings! Not teacup or futuristic advice...she would stand
before an audience reading stories or articles she herself had either
written or located...all which embraced Life, both humourously and
philosophically. She had gained appreciation and popularity through
rural bazaars where local country folk attended. It was at such
events, she met my father...who played his guitar, Jew's harp and
mouth-organ. Two years later, they married...and the rest is
'history'!
Santa
Claus is Busy:
After the fall harvest, Dad had 'leisure time' to work in the
machine shop, mend fences, do house repairs, play the guitar and
sing. Noting the fact that he was busy in November and December Mom
told us he was assisting Santa Claus. Since we couldn't question our
parents' decisions, at 5 or 6 years of age, we paid little attention.
In mid December, we trudged through the crispy snow into the back
woodland to select our Christmas Tree. Mom helped us to bake cookies
and make decorations for the tree. On Christmas Eve, Eileen and I
went to bed like good little angels. Lo and Behold! On Christmas
morning, Santa Claus had indeed arrived! There was a small
rectangular table and two hand-crafted bench style chairs...all 3
pieces painted in red and yellow like Mom's kitchen.
How delightful for our dolls' tea parties!
The
Chariot of Fire:
It happens! When my aunt (Dad's sister) married to Uncle Earl,
died, Mom tried to explain her death. Yes, my sister and I would miss
her...but we wondered why we couldn't attend her funeral service.
Trying to pacify us, Mom raconted that “God took her to be with
Him.” Asking how God did this, she replied, “God sent his
chariot to take her to heaven.” I asked, “Did you see the
chariot?” She stated, “Of course...it was a chariot of fire, and
once in the sky, He sent his horses to lead them to God's pearly
gates.” So wonderfully believable at my young age!
When
a teenager, Mom told me about the Biblical version of Elijah and
Elisha ~
reading from Ezekiel chapter 1: verses 1-28.
“And
Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
Elisha saw it and cried, 'My father, my father...
the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!'
And he saw Elijah no more.”
Merle Baird-Kerr...composed January 19, 2015
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