Family

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The last hurray

Compared to now, some say life was simpler. People who lived in the old west may be gone but they should not be forgotten. They were God fearing and lived lives that reflected their beliefs.

In the days of the Wild West people lived their lives to the fullest. Some lived to the extreme. There were women of that caliber.

Women pillaged, murdered and played poker. Some resembled men to be able to live their sordid lifestyle. Wild woman, CONARI PRESS.

As our forefathers moved west time did the same. The day was long in the life of a frontier man. Men and women rose and rested as did the sun.

“Charles, The sun is up, don’t you know.” I know Ma. I know.” Better get a move on, she countered.”

When Ma used a certain tone. It was better to listen .
The day would command the responsibilities of the farm.

Pa passed away with malaria in Ninety six. Life decided Ma and I would remain. I now lived for both. My age stated otherwise, I should have a family of mine own. I chose to take care of Ma.

We talked. “Charles you live your life and I’ll take care of mine”. I heard her say. “
I knew I should but I just couldn’t come to grips leaving her alone.

So I work the farm and what she can accomplish she does. “A storm, Ma said.” We best move inside” I replied. With the fire warming the old house. Ma sat in her rocker and Sam the cat lay in my lap.

I knew Ma had something she wanted to say by the expression on her face.
“Charles, something has been on my mind ever since your Pa died”.

Yes, I said. “You should think about starting a family. You know nothing would thrill me more then to have young ones around. “You are my only child, with a look of remorse she said”.

Pa died prematurely, I corroborated. Yes Son he did “Ma, I don’t know". “Now see here Charles Finley. No one says you can’t visit and for that matter no one says you can’t live close by”.

There is my mother’s tone. “I know, Ma". "I will think on it. I promise”.

The lightening crashed and the wind whistled. For a moment it sounded like a twister. Needless to say we were fine. I thought about what she had said, the remainder of the day.

She was correct. I needed to have a family of my own. The more I thought on it I realized my time here would be shortened.
In the era we know as the last frontier people lived according to God’s word.

Wives were submissive to husbands and children obeyed their parents. Life was lived in accordance to the law and no changing would take place.

“Charles, I hear there is a church social tomorrow”, she informed me. “Yes, I know”, I replied. “It would be a way to meet a nice girl.”I suppose, Ma”.

Tomorrow arrived and I went to the social. Ma declined to go. She wanted to catch up on reading, she said.

“How was it? Ma asked”.” It was nice, I said. Yes I even met a girl, her name is Virginia. Virginia Fields”. “When you see her you might ask her to supper” Ma suggested. I will.

Next week Virginia for supper. They came to be close friends.
Virginia came from a Mennonite family but that was fine with mother. I found over time my feelings for her increased to the point I fell in love with her.

Virginia having a small stature with flowing auburn hair and green eyes.
Skin smooth as silk and the most attractive smile I’d ever saw. A woman of scrupulous morals and well groomed.

My only regret was Pa left to soon.
Charles do you take Virginia to be your lawful wedded wife. To love, honor and cherish…. Virginia do you take Charles to be your lawful wedded husband. To love, honor and obey until death do you… Our wedding day was one to remember.

The day of our wedding exciting as one might expect failed to be the last hurray. In Ma’s eye her day of joy came two years later with the birth of twins.

We named Daniel James after my Pa. Our daughter’s Elizabeth Joy.
Virginia and Charles, they are the most precious babies. Who would have thought we would be blessed with twins?

Mother, God has given us Joy in place of grief. Yes, Charles I must agree with you. He surely has.
I believe Daniel James favors you and your Pa, Ma said. Virginia, Elizabeth Joy looks just like you. I see mother’s features as well, Virginia stated.

Virginia and I bought a farm close to Ma. The children grew and the years waned in my mother’s life. A year later death took her. I will always remember her words of love and wisdom.

I am thankful Virginia came into my life when she did.
My mother left in peace knowing her son had a family he could call his own.

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