The days of summer are really only made for one thing…fishing. I recall that at thirteen I would have rather been fishing than pretty much anything else I could think of to do. Of course that was a time before I discovered that girls were placed upon the earth for something more than to just to annoy me. The Wakenda creek wasn’t good for anything more than gars and the occasional soft shelled turtle. You might catch a few Bullhead catfish or even a descent sized carp on a good day but that never mattered. It gave me all the peace and quiet I needed to try to make some sense of the raging hormones that were part of being a teenager. Most days you could usually find me lying on the bank staring into the clear sky and wondering if I wasn’t really adopted. There were even times when my line would be in the water without any bait on it.
In most places the Wakenda creek normally ran very shallow and narrow. However in my secluded, and I thought secret, spot the water backed up into a pool of deep green. A large cottonwood tree stood at the water’s edge just off a nice sandy beach. The breeze would dance among its leaves and pluck the soft tufts from the branches and send them drifting slowly to the water below. On this particular day as I rounded the cottonwood I saw a familiar figure leaning against the tree. It was my dad.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, more than a little puzzled. You see there was more than a little age difference between me and my father so we usually didn’t have a lot to talk about.
“Today…I’m going to show you everything that is important about life.”
So I thought that this was the talk that I have heard so much about from my brothers. So I prepared myself to absorb this information. I was going to learn about girls, sex, money…you know what I mean… real life and death stuff. It was going to be the kind of stuff that you can only learn through years and years of trial and error. The knowledge of a lifetime given to me from the one person I knew to be the wisest man on earth.
My dad placed his hand firmly on my shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. For the first time in my life I noticed his hands. They were strong and tanned but calloused from way too many years of manual labor. His fingers were twisted from age. His touch was rough and his grip firm. But I could feel there was a gentleness that lay underneath the surface of his touch. It was a tenderness learned from a lifetime of love and caring. With the other hand he pulled a red checked handkerchief from his bib overalls and wiped his brow. His face was wrinkled and leathery but his eyes were still full of light.
I watched intently as his knurled hands threaded a large gumbo earthworm onto his hook. His tongue stuck out from between tight lips and curled slightly on the end. He held the work only a few inches from his face trying to see through squinted eyes in the dim early morning light.
“Always take your time to do it right. It’s gotta be perfect in order to get the big ones,” he said. “Leave just the right amount wiggling to lure them in…but not too much or the smart ones would just pull it right off and leave you with nothing.”
After an extensive examination of his work he nodded his head in satisfaction. Then he spat a stream of tobacco juice onto the squirming worm. A small trail of dark liquid trickled down his grizzled gray beard.
“Just so they’ll know it’s me.” He said, with a crooked grin and a quick wink. Then with one fluid motion he cast the line of his cane pole into the water of the creek. There was barely a splash as it landed within inches of a fallen tree that jutted out from the surface.
“Always know exactly where to place your bait,” he said.
After resting his pole on a forked stick protruding from the soft earth, he removed his sweat stained ball cap, ran his twisted fingers through his thin silver hair and took a long swig from his bottle of wine. He leaned back against the old cottonwood tree…wriggled his body a little in search of the most comfort. Then he spat out another stream of tobacco juice and went to sleep.
I wanted to give him the time to provide the answers at his own pace. So for several minutes I watched him lying there in the warm sunshine. The only sound was the sough of the wind in the willow trees and the long mournful whistle of the distant Burlington Northern making its way east with a load of grain. I waited patiently, eagerly anticipating the wisdom that he was going to share with me. I had so many questions that needed answers. I wasn’t sure where to begin.
“What the hell?” I asked myself. “Is this all there is? Where are all the answers about women, sex, work, politics, war and money?”
Now, nearly half a century later, I understand one thing, that no matter how paramount my problems may seem to be at the time, I always look back to that day and realize. He had told me everything I needed to know
Pingback: Fishing – The Militant Negro™
A truly magnificent write Jerry, poignant, evocative, interesting and a pleasure to read. Thank you
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I appreciate the comment, have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic 2018.
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brilliant, thanks. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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Thanks
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He did indeed!
A wonderful write, Jerry!
Besides…what man knows all of the answers concerning women and sex?!
Those other four topics (work, war, politics, money) are easier to figure out! 😉 HA! Just teasin’ you! 😛
HUGS!!! Happy Almost-Friday to you and your sweet wife! 🙂
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Thanks for such kind hearted words of encouragement. Men are certainly easier to understand…scratch stomach, fart and watch sports on TV. Women on the other hand…?
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A poignant and life-affirming story Jerry. No doubt you will pass on the same message in the same way to your own children.
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Thanks Roland. I can only try. Although, I have 4 children and they have all turned out ok. I would like to take the credit but it was probably more to do with my wife’s influence than mine. Have a great Christmas and fantastic 2018.
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What a wonderful memory and piece of writing Jerry. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for reading and leaving such kind words Davy. Have a great Christmas and a wonderful 2018.
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You too Jerry.
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Beautiful and heartwarming! 😉👍
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Thanks.
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Great memory. I like the image of frantically searching for the answers (“what? is that all there is?”) as only a kid can do, while he’s relaxed against the tree because he has the answers and wants you to find/think about them.
We can gain much when we listen to what little is said at times. At least that’s my experience. My dad wasn’t a big talker, still isn’t, but the times we shared when I was younger are some of my most cherished.
Growing up, we had neighbors who had a place on Lake Brownwood, and we’d visit some weekends during the summer. The first time we went out on a boat, I caught a fish! I was so excited I stood up and nearly fell in the water. Not my coolest moment, but fun and memorable nonetheless.
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We didn’t know it at the time, but such small things back then had so much meaning now. Thanks for stopping by. Have a Merry Christmas and a great 20118.
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I enjoyed reading about your relationship with your dad. I learned much from my dad’s actions less from his words. But I adored him, short comings and all. The love we have for our parents is reflected in the love our kids have for us. I am thinking your are abundantly blessed with much. Warmest wishes to you Jerry.
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Thanks Gina. Merry Christmas to you and I hope 2018 brings you much joy.
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Outstanding! Well written and loved reading about the bond you shared
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