Memories of my Father - Part 2

   Some other special memories are of winter evenings leaning against the rocking chair and his shoulder as he read or told us stories - he usually told them as the younger ones couldn't understand English. One of my favorites was Rosanna of the Amish, The Little House or the Laura Ingalls series etc. Alone yet Not Alone was too sad. Christie's old organ was sad but has a happy enough ending and enough bright spots in it to carry me through and like it.

   One of my fondest memories is of the whole family being bundled in the buggy with Dad at the lines, talking to the horses and humming or whistling  and the sound of the buggy wheels whirring along, the harness clinking and clanging and nobody fussing because Dad was there and would not allow it. Oh precious family time - everyone together.

   One inbetween Sunday morning there was a lot of flies so I took a swatter and was killing them as they sat in the sunshine on the living room floor. After killing all the flies I could see I got the broom and started sweeping. In a little bit Dad comes in, looks at me and comes over, puts his hands over my hands on the broom and shows me how to sweep without kicking up dust - "You must not flip it up at the last which sends the dust flying, always stop while the broom is still on the floor then start another stroke."   I remembered that many times as I swept.

   Dad was always teaching and encouraging us to sing. We sang German and English songs. Quite often he'd bring a copy of a song he wanted us to memories and tack it above the sink where we'd see it while washing dishes. He would encourage us to sing as we worked in the kitchen so we'd learn songs but also to keep us from fussing among ourselves as we worked. Dad would get us to all sing together while driving. Not on the way to church though - he wouldn't even whistle, just hum a church hymn.

   Dad would take us to widows or widowers or the sick or elderly people to sing. And not just the Amish, he frequently took us to Non-Amish and even took us to sing Christmas songs and encouraged us to make homemade candy to give to people at such times. Dad was always inviting people over for a meal or a bed - even brought home a homeless tramp for the night once. After supper he got us to sing songs in English for the poor fellow.

   Dad had an English Bible and Prayer book to use if people were with us who couldn't understand German. After Mother died, Dad got us to memorize songs such as; "Mother's Grave & "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" Which we'd sing for people and they'd be smiling and we'd be smiling to cheer them up.

- Mamaw Graber