“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained by living a righteous life.” ~ Proverbs 16:31
(This was written Sunday, October 27th but, for unknown reason, it didn’t post.)
Today is another momentous event: Mom is 85 years today and celebrating, with 91 year old Dad, their 68th wedding anniversary. We gathered at my sister’s for a cookout; after morning rain it turned better than fair and was absolutely perfect. The three little’s were in attendance (great-grandson and great-granddaughter’s) making it a four generation event. There was food galore, two birthday cakes and my brother and his wife made strawberry ice cream ending a lovely day. If Dad looks a bit surprised it’s because he was already tucked into his food when I said, “Smile!”
It’s shameful how long it’s been since I’ve posted; I apologize and have but feeble excuses. This is the third summer I’ve lived in southside Virginia and am still not acclimated to the heat. My brother feels the same but he caved in, bought a farm in West Virginia and keeps threatening to move. I told him, “GO! Stay in WV from May until October and come back to the flatlands for (haha,what they call around here) winter.” For a while, I’d thought about asking him to sell me five acres but then…but then…earlier this month I took Dad to the WV cabin for a vacation. Now, I’m used to driving that dirt road to the cabin and admit each new time in any particular year is white knuckle driving but…BUT…then I drove the 2.5 miles UP the mountain to my brother’s place. WHEW! I would have cried like a girl but Daddy kept saying, “You know, this really isn’t such a bad road, is it?” I kept thinking, “It should be in one of those video’s to frighten people half to death! I know people who wouldn’t be caught dead on this road!” Even though the road is state maintained it was still dirt and there is no mail delivery. If you want mail, you have to get a post office box; none of that rain, sleet, snow stuff keeping them from appointed rounds. Post office employees won’t even go up that road in good weather!
Come to think of it, I did take a few video’s and, later this week, will go to the county library (high speed internet) and put them on my youtube page. I need to figure out how to combine those video’s under one page but, for now, the link will get you there. Hopefully.
But back to the mountain roads story…as I said, my brother lives 2.5 miles UP a dirt road but not quite to the mountain top which is another half to three-quarter mile. Dad and I went to Steve’s to pick, then press apples for cider, seven gallons of delicious cider which is in my fridge now. I also have a box of apples and tomorrow will make apple butter. I was told, “Drive down the other side, it’s not as bad nor as far.” Silly me. My brother lives to get one over on me…the drive was as bad and two tenth’s of a mile longer. (Will I ever learn?)
The next day, I took Dad to visit a high school chum, her husband and sister-in-law. They lived only one mile up a dirt road to the top of the mountain and nothing, absolutely NOTHING, prepared me for this road. I was terrified! At two points, actually four if you count going and coming, I was terrified the rear tire might slip off the road mountain so I put my front tire in the ditch to snake the truck rear end around the corner. All the while Daddy is chatting away, “Look at that view; can you believe how beautiful?!” Actually, I was busy terrified, my back muscles were in spasms and I only caught a glimpse…but it was beautiful.
Daddy and I have always had adventures…standing over Ole Faithful, timing for the spew of hot water then Daddy yelling, “Okay RUN! It’s gonna blow!” Or the time we were at Bridge Day in Fayetteville, WV and climbed out on a ledge so I could take better photos or taking a ‘copter ride over Mount Rushmore or barreling down the Rocky Mountains with brakes burning rubber. Fortunately God has always kept us safe and we’ve slowed, somewhat, as we’ve aged although we were talking about taking 4-wheeler’s to the cabin come Spring so we could ride the mountain back roads.
My siblings and I were taught to honor God, His Word and our parents. Truth be told? It’s easy to honor my parents, both joy and privilege and to have them relatively hearty and hale at ages 85 and 91 is a gift. To have them as Christian parents, to have a legacy of seeing them both read their Bibles every morning (Daddy just finished his Bible for the 52nd time), to hear them pray is a blessing. To know they didn’t give up when times were hard and today we celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary, a blessing and gift for us all.
Hear me now: I rise up and call them blessed and thank them for the incredible heritage and legacy they continue to live out in family, community and church.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” ~ Exodus 20:12 ~
This made my heart merry! I called RH in and showed him your parents’ picture and told him about your mountain adventure and your father’s relaxed enjoyment of the ride while you were just trying to keep the wheels on the road. Happy Anniversary to your amazing parents! It did make me miss my father so much. He’s been in his heavenly home since 2001 but how he would have loved an adventure like this. I think I’ve told you before that my mother is in a nursing home now in Florida where my two sisters live and many times as they visit she speaks as if our father is just outside in the garden. A blessing in many ways for such a sweet gentle woman.
I loved your tribute to your parents. I’m so glad you shared more about them here. I always love it when you write about them. And I didn’t know you had a Youtube channel, I subscribed!
Hi Dewena, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad and do remember your Mom in prayers. As to the youtube channel, I still need to combine it all but…low tech me…haven’t a clue. sigh. I do need to put up those videos of the drives…enough to make you GASP!
Wow, what a great post! Congrats to your family for these milestone celebrations. Your folks look happy and serene. You are all blessed to have each other.
I wouldn’t want to drive up or down that mountain road either. I think I would have frozen at the wheel, although, having someone by our sides to encourage us to keep going or tell us how beautiful it all is, works wonders. 😉
Happy Autumn ~ FlowerLady
Hi Rainey, yep, my parents have weathered their share of storms and still continue forward. I told Dad, “You have a new hip, next time you can walk up!” (He had hip replacement in June and doing GREAT!)
Aw, fun. I love seeing you scared, lol! Glad you survived to tell the tale! God bless your sweet folks. Years ago I remember telling my mom, “Okay, Mom, I’m rising up and calling you blessed!” She got a kick out of that and she sure was a blessing and a best friend! Safe with Jesus now. 🙂 Be careful out there, ya hear?
Hi Lisa – it’s as frightened as I’ve been in a very long time and not looking forward to doing it any time soon!
It’s a joy to read about your parents and how you all love and are faithful. And a bit scary to read about your driving experiences there in the boondocks!! But you are a courageous and plucky soul. God bless you, Sandra! XO
Hi Gretchen – thank you and it was frightening to drive those roads, especially the last one. Hopefully, I’ll have the SUV and not the truck the next time. I was seriously worried about going over the mountain!
I live Lewisburg, WV. I call those one and 1/2 lane roads . You hug the mountain as much as possible. But, it is beautiful !
Oh Mary Lou, isn’t Lewisburg a sweet little town?! I think it’s fabulous and yes, those 1.5 lane roads are “breathtaking”! I’m hoping not to drive Dad’s friends driveway again. That one frightened me totally! This was in Webster County…if you know it.
52 times! That is something. What a wonderful legacy it is to have Christian parents who open the Word daily. The milestones you celebrated are also not to be taken for granted. Congratulations on the 68 years of marriage. Yikes, that drive to your brother’s sounds like something I’d not be a happy passenger for. Glad you made it there and back again with goodies to enjoy. Happy last few days of October.
Hi Ellen – it’s a fantastic number! Actually all those numbers are “up there” and it’s a blessing to still have them and doing well.
Oh, my darling Sandra, what fun to read this long post. And, YOUR PARENTS !!! I lost both of mine decades ago and would love to have had them around to see the great-grands they now have. I was with my son & his 4 children 2 days this past week. Took the littles to a movie, then eating out. Goodness, $150 by the time we finished all of it. Times have changed for sure. The drive up and down the dirt road make me laugh, I’m sure I would have done it too. Sending love from Houston. Cheer for our Houston Astros Baseball Team, they’re in the World Series, up 3 games to 2 !! Playing in Houston Tuesday evening.
Hi Marsha – when I catch up I try to make it worthwhile . I went to the movies a month or so ago…could NOT believe the cost! And that was for the afternoon! I enjoyed the movie although can’t remember the name…a Christian movie. I wanted to see Mr. Rogers until someone tole me Hank whatever his name is hates Trump so Nope! I’ll wait until it comes out on DVD.
Right on Mr. Rogers. I won’t pay to see any of the anti-American actors.
Did see A Long Time Ago in Hollywood with Leo,
Brad and Quentin. Leo & Brad should both win an Academy Award but since I won’t watch any longer I probably will never know.
Got some Meyer Lemons off a neighbor’s tree today. You should SMELL THEM. Cannot wait to cut into one.
much love, dear Sandra
Oh Marsha, Dave used to say we vote with our feet and our money…like you, I won’t support those who have diametrically opposed views to mine. Especially those who are bent on destroying our country.
Happy birthday to your Mom and congratulations to their wedding anniversary!!! You are really blessd to have such great parents!
Have a wonderful week, Sandra!!!
Entirely wonderful.
Yet. Your Dad reading the bible 52 times brought tears to my eyes.
I have no words for that accomplishment. Rather, gift your father has had.
Garden & Be Well, XOT
Hi Tara – believe it or not, you’ve been in my thoughts and prayers! I trust all is well, I need to visit and thank you for visiting and commenting. Dad and Mom taught their children to read the Holy Bible daily; all three of us do just that.
You are truly blessed Sandra! I had to chuckle about your mountain “road” adventure. I would have been as scared as you were. I might have asked you to stop so I could get out and crawl back down. 🤣.
Hi Prudence – If I hadn’t been driving, I would have gotten out and walked! I told Dad, “You’ve got a new hip, next time you can walk!” He laughed.
I could not have done those drives. Heights of any sort terrify me, and the thought of driving UP a mountain…..and then down?? No thaank you. You are very brave.
Hi Barbara – I was too frightened to feel brave. lol at myself