Posted by:
Done & Done
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Date: November 13, 2021 11:41AM
I think of my family as Before and After. We lived in the mountains of Utah in a town settled by pioneers and as a kid I used to listen to the 80 and 90 year olds tell their stories.
Everyone had a garden and chickens and livestock. Even better we had true "community." We got our eggs from Helen up the lane and our milk from ole Milt. We gave away tons of corn and chard.
Mom made her own noodles and donuts and cooked the trout and pheasant, ducks, and quail Dad hunted. We rode our horses up the crick and picked wild choke cherries and Mom made them into syrup for pancakes. She was Guide Patrol leader and took us on hikes up in the hills and we identified all the plants and critters.
The town got together a lot. Breakfasts behind the old Schoolhouse on Saturday Mornings, hayrides, miniature rodeos, and even the Road Shows were an event. Tons of laughter and kidding and when my Dad built his house everyone just showed up on Saturday to help.
The "Before" was heaven on earth. Not without it's problems, especially for me. I found out only two years ago that the most popular jock who was few years older than me went to my dad once and said, "The kids on the bus are being really mean to Done. Are you okay if I do something about it?" I never knew why it all stopped so suddenly--the taunting, the name I hated, the hitting behind the ears. Luckily being punched only happened out of sight of the bus driver as he would have stopped that." The name was the worst. At least with the fists I could hit back.
The "jock" was the only non Mormon in our neighborhood. He went on to be the quarterback at Utah State and then became a world famous Rodeo Champion. I never got to thank him. He was long gone when I found out.
The After: My Dad was called as bishop. Everything changed. We became so Mormon even the other TBM's were annoyed by us. The laughter became less dense. I never saw my father much for the eleven years he was bishop. He was a wonderful man I wish I had known better but we made up for it in the end. The church robbed us then and the grift goes on.
What we all needed more than a church was a support system. At one time we had that. We all need to be the support system as much as we are able. I get that you get this. I read it in your words. I am sorry some injected their own interpretations. Your posts over the years show a heart combined with an intellect. In particular the one where you had me clarify my words regarding my aged mother that could be taken several ways.
Clarififying isn't just for butter. And understanding that looking at something sideways doesn't mean you didn't see the situation for what it is head on or that you don't care deeply.
I hope this is not out of place for you as you strike me as a deeply personal person. No need to respond. I just needed to say this for myself. We just don't know what others are bringing to the table that is not evident.