Memories

These stories are contributed and with the deepest respect I have posted them
to this site for all of us to share in hopes that by sharing the memories we may
all come to terms with our own grief.

Submitted by J Graner Jan, 21st 1999

My Father Ken

It's early summer on Eddy Ct, the sun is shinning, it's going to be a warm day. My Dad has just finished mowing the grass in our front yard, it is a Saturday. My Mother is also helping in the yard and my little brother (Kenny) is tagging along near her. I hear my sister (Linda) in the house listening to the radio and talking on the phone to a girl friend. I'm near my Dad raking the leaves and grass up into a pile to be put in the trash can later. This is a wonderful day, for today my Father is going to buy me my first car. My first car, this was a right of passage in Fargo, North Dakota. This meant I had arrived and the social implications were awesome. What a day this was to be.
Dad and Mom had discussed the night before just what they could afford to get me a car. I didn't care what kind or how old as long as it moved. My Dad said that he would buy it, but I was to pay him back with my earnings from working at his paint store in the summer and on Saturdays.
We left the house and on the way to the used car lot he told me of his first car and what it meant to him and that I was to be a responsible driver and that if I wasn't I would be walking. (I think this is father son talk #102) We found a car I was interested in but the price was a lot more then I heard my Mom and Dad discussing the night before. Dad looked at me and said lets test drive it. He drove it around the block a few times and said it sounded pretty good (56 ford 2 door). When we got back to the lot he said let me see what we can do to get this one. After about a hour and a lot of talk he looked at me and said this car was just too much money. I was very disappointed, but didn't show it. We turned around and headed for his car and before I knew it, the salesman called my Dad back into his office, soon they were shaking hands and Dad was signing some papers and giving the guy some money. Wow, I had a new car. I drove it back home, Dad followed me and I was a nervous wreck. I hoped, that I would remembered everything he had taught me. I made it home and the whole family came out to take a look and go for a ride. God was I happy! and the look on my Dads face told me he was too.
My Dad was a much better giver than a receiver and took pride in what he could do for his children.


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