Friday, June 17, 2011

Dad and the ditch lilies (a rerun)

The ditch lilies are beginning to bloom here in the country.  They always remind me of my father so I thought it appropriate to repeat this Father's Day post from three or four years ago...

I don't have a lot of clear memories of my father since he passed away suddenly when I was only ten years old. However, one memory that I have shared with my husband and children is the clearest of all...that of Dad and the ditch lilies.

We lived in an old farmhouse when I was a small child. It had only enough land for a few animals, some chickens, and a huge garden. It sat across from a grain elevator, at the corner where two gravel roads met. We had a few neighbors, mostly other smallish houses, what we would call "hobby farms" these days. Between us and the various towns in different directions, there were some "real farms" where one would find acres and acres of tall stalks of corn growing each summer.

Train tracks separated our house and the tall grain elevator. To this day, I love the sound of the train whistles in the distance. You don't hear them much around here anymore. I remember taking walks with my dad along those roads when the evening had cooled enough to make the gravel more comfortable...for they can get quite hot for little feet. Dad was around 6'3" tall and I was but a little girl when we lived on this gravel road. So it probably is understandable that my memories of both him and daylilies are that they were both huge!

We didn't call them daylilies in our neck of the woods...they were always known as ditch lilies, for they grew wild in the ditches each summer. That's why I was thinking of him this week. It wasn't the gorgeous yellow daylilies growing along our backyard fence, nor the orange lilies next to the house, both planted by previous owners. It wasn't the lilac colored daylilies my husband planted this year. No, it was the old fashioned deep orange daylilies growing in the ditches on the roads I travel most of the time...the roads that take me "to the country". The same kind of lilies that sent us out for a walk in the evening...on gravel roads.

My dad was not an educated man as such. He only finished 8th grade, a practice very common to men of that and previous generations. Back then, many boys had to leave their formal schooling at that age to begin working. However, he knew a lot about the important things of life like flowers, and building things, stopping on trips to take pictures of animals in the field and whatever else grabbed his attention, hunting, fishing, and how to love daughters. People who knew him used to talk about his kindness.

I've been told many times that he cried when I was born because he had wanted a little girl so badly. Since this was a second marriage for both (he being divorced many years and my mother a widow with seven children when they married), and mom was well into her 40s, my siblings thought their mother had died giving birth only to find out he was crying because they had a little girl!

I only had him around for ten years but I learned a lot from him. Not so much in formal learning but the kind that is absorbed by small children, those lessons we pick up when the older folks don't know children are looking and listening. I've been called a kind person, that's definitely from Dad. I love flowers, gardens, creeks, and small creatures of the woods...definitely from Dad...although I prefer to admire the small creatures from a distance rather than having them for dinner. :)

I never had a chance to say goodbye but I've prayed for years that in the hours Dad knew he was dying, he remembered the Gospel and made peace with his Creator. How I would love to know that the tall, gentle man with the hands calloused from "building things" would be there waiting for his girl. I'm certain God will let there be plenty of ditch lilies in Heaven.

9 comments:

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Beautiful Brenda....

These 'ditch lilies' grow everywhere here too!

I have never seen lilac colored day lilies - do you still have them or a photo of them?

Have a lovely weekend!

Deanna

matty said...

He's waiting. Everything you've written tells me he was a man of God. What wonderful memories and what a tremendous legacy!

Unknown said...

Brenda, that was so heart-touching! It brought tears to my eyes. What wonderful memories you have of your dad. Thanks so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Oh Brenda,.. I was in tears when I finished your post! I too have known such precious men in my life as a child. They left the biggest memories for life in my heart and life. Life lessons that molded me and my sisters lives forever in the best of ways. Thank you for telling us about your father...a giant among men. Sarah

Anonymous said...

While it is sad that your dad left when you were so young, you are blessed to have such nice memories of him!!

Blessings, Elizabeth in NC

Andrea said...

Tears.
I too lost my dad as a little girl (7 yrs old), and my image's of him are few and far between. Isn't it a gift from God for these few that we DO have.
I have a feeling your Dad and mine are probably in heaven chatting about the two little girls they left behind down here, rejoicing in the fact we both know the Lord and will see them again.
WOnderful Fathers Day Post, Brenda!

Anita said...

What a beautiful story. I loved reading it. You have a way with words. What wonderful memories you have. What a wonderful tribute for Fathers Day. Thanks for sharing.

Gumbo Lily said...

What a precious reminiscence and memory of your Dad. God bless his memory to you, Brenda.

Jody

The Journey said...

I too hope my dad is waiting. he died when i was 3. He and mom had split up and he was coming to see us and we were gone. he ended his life. My aunt told me he was saved and baptized. I certain hope so. I've not so fond memories of my adopted dad. He did tell his 2nd wife- that she would really like me. I was like his so that made up for somethings.