Not all Bad

Our small home had a screened in front porch; half was a playroom the other half had a gliding sofa. We often spent summer nights as a family watching the thunder and lighting storms. That porch holds many memories. Though if I think about it one particular instance stands out in my mind. Us siblings were left home on a summer afternoon together while our dad ran across town to pick mom up.

Our mother went back to college after losing her job during the 80’s recession. First she was a student and then she started working for the college. One afternoon while we were alone for a short time we happened upon an old beat up metal first aid box. I instinctively knew it was dad’s dope box. Together, we bravely opened it to curiously look inside.

Our dad was a plumber and he had a car hobby, motorcycles before I was born. Anyway, he spent lots of time in the garage. So, back to the box. As we open this box, unsure what we’ll get to see we find a homemade pipe. He had crafted together his own personal pipe out off parts from the hardware store. Quickly, we closed it and prayed he wouldn’t notice we had dared to touch it.

We lived in and old house, the basement was half finished but the other half was dirt; it was referred to as a “Michigan” basement. Our dad was raised on a farm. So, in the winter, in the dirt room which was home to the furnace dad had some florescent lights and a table. He was in there with a friend one day and we decided to interrupt for some reason.

Though I can’t recall what we wanted, we were young kids, what I do recall is my dad both frustrated and laughing when he replied to our question “what’s that?” he said “tomatoes.” . So, he stuck with the story they were tomatoes he was going to put in our garden. He created amazing gardens every year.

None more spectacular than the year he completed the yard. Lined with pine trees, which took hours of back breaking labor, a strawberry patch in the backyard corner, and my mom’s rose bushes all around the house; the only trees when we moved in were two large pines in the front and a pear tree in the back yard.

His masterpiece was the garden behind the garage. His lay out was well planned. In rows from short carrots and peas to the the back with corn and sunflowers; that garden had every vegetable you could imagine. Somewhere we still keep the picture of my dad, mom, and a friend standing reaching and the plants were taller than their hands could reach.

Our parents each lost a parent at a very young age; which, bonded them in parenting. We were their main focus. They ensured we had the best education and what extras they were able to provide us.