The Day Our Family Died
November 21, 1991
3:30 PM
Steele County Courthouse
180, cloudy, and snowing
It seems like only yesterday,
We worked and played as one.
Our family was quite famous,
And, we had a lot of fun.
But, then, one day, Fed laws were passed,
Which set the females free
To cast aspersions on their dad
Who loved them tenderly.
Soon, Dad was taken from his home
And forced to live apart
From each and every one of you
Which nearly broke his heart.
No more his firm and guiding hand.
No more his happy smile.
For they had taken Dad away
To hate him and revile.
Two little ones were left at home
To grow up strong and true,
Just like their older sisters did
And bigger brothers, too.
But, somehow things just weren’t the same.
The wee ones lost their way.
They wouldn’t practice, wouldn’t mind.
They slept in late each day.
No more the parties or the games.
No more the family bands.
No more the track meets or the food
To strengthen mind and hands.
Then, evil found our little ones
For they found crooked friends
Who led them down a crooked path.
God knows where it will end.
Today, our home’s an empty house,
The children gone away.
The merry games, the happy songs
Are ghosts from yesterday.
And, Dad is gone and Mother, too,
Beneath the cold, damp ground.
Their dreams are buried next to them.
All’s still now, not a sound.
The Grace Of God
When people see a person less fortunate then themselves, lying in the gutter of life, they say to themselves,
“There but for the grace of God go I.”
They say this because they are ordinary people who have had little help from anyone. To them, life is a mystery.
But, for children, who have known the love, guidance, and protection of their father, life is not a mystery. They know who gave them their discipline, skills, and the will to win. That is why they say,
“There, but for the love and dedication of my father, go I.”
They know their words are true because they have a little brother. He also was intelligent and talented. He also could play accordion and keyboard. He also could win track meets and talent contests. He also could repair motors. But, unlike them, his father was taken away during the most important years of his life.
The Successful Man
I met a man with no talent and alone. He was a loser.
I met a talented man. And, he was successful.
I met a talented man with a family who loved and helped him. He was more successful.
I met a talented man with a family and neighbors who loved and helped him. He was even more successful.
I met a talented man with a family and neighbors and a country who loved and helped him. He was the most successful of all.
Do you wonder who these men are, dear child of mine?
Well,
The loser sits in the bars and slums of life.
The talented man drives a car to work and enjoys the good life.
The talented man, with a family who loves and helps him, drives a car to work and lives in a beautiful home.
The talented man, with a family and a community who love and help him. is Amish. He'll never lose his farm because the Amish haven't lost a farm in 200 years.
The talented man, with a family and neighbors and a country who love and help him, lives in Israel. He is the most successful of all.
Which one are you, dear child of mine?