Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
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TITLE: Pleasing Pa | Previous Challenge Entry
By Brenda Rice
06/08/09 -
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It was a blistering hot day in Abram Falls, Kansas. My Pa rode his big bay mare from the lower field up the house. He was dusty and sweaty, needing a cool drink from the water bucket by the back door. After drinking deeply he poured the next dipper full over his head and down his back.
It has been a disappointing harvest because of the drought. Pa says we harvested about half as much cotton as we would have if the rains had come. We haven’t seen any rain to speak of in two months. Lots of folks around here have turned their stock in on their corn. It’s so dry the kernels didn‘t develop, so there’s no need to waste time picking empty shucks.
Ma listens to the bad reports, then she sings Amazing Grace. She reminds Pa, who really knows, that the Lord is our provider and that our cellar is still almost full of food for the family. That’s the way my folks are. They raised all five of us to have faith in the face of adversity, and to give praise for the blessings we have. Even if the cellar was empty, Ma would still be singing and praising the Lord.
I’m the youngest of the Marchman clan. My name is Elizabeth Ellen after my Ma. Growing up on the farm in Kansas is the only life I knew, until I went off to nursing school three years ago. Big city life in St. Louis was a real eye opener for me. To tell you the truth, I was very glad to get to come home for a while after graduation. I love life on the farm and I love being with my family. Growing up I always wanted to please my folks, especially my Pa. When I was little and heard him asking one of my brothers to do something, I would run as fast as I could to try and do it before they did.
I remember one time Pa asked me to bring a bucket of water from the well. I was so proud that Pa asked me to do something my brothers usually did. I went as fast as my short legs could go to the well. Letting the bucket down, I watched it sink in the dark cool water. Then I pulled as hard as I could but the bucket didn’t move. I backed up a little and pulled again. This time it came up a little, so I pulled with all my might and it moved upward again. Time after time I repeated the process until finally, I could see the rim of the bucket. Now, how was I going to get to the well and lift the bucket without letting go of the rope? Looking around to find a remedy for my problem, I saw the wagon. So I tied the rope to the wagon and ran to the well to get the bucket of water for Pa. As I lifted it from the well, it went straight down to the ground, because it was so heavy. Naturally, some of the water spilled but it still had a lot in it. So, I dragged it along as best I could. Although I was losing water with each tug, I was totally focused on the task at hand.
At last, I reached the garden where Pa was working. I was beaming, just waiting for Pa to see what a good job I had done. But when I looked down, I was so disappointed. The bucket was only half full. Pa looked at me, looked at the bucket, then he smiled and said, “Elizabeth what a good job.”
“But Pa it’s half empty,” I whined.
“No, honey, it is half full. It will do just fine.”
I’m sure he needed more water but he made me feel so good about myself. I soon forgot the bucket was only half full. All I remembered is that my Pa was proud of me.
I’m leaving in a few days for Chicago, where I’ve taken a job in a hospital. I’ll be taking more than what Grandpa’s old black steamer trunk and Ma’s tapestry bag will hold when I leave. I’m taking my memories of my Kansas farm home and my precious family. I know that with those memories my heart will never be empty, because it will be so full of love.
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Just ti sit under that big oak tree on grandma's front porch. This really stirs alot of memories for me.
Very well done