With Father’s Day just past, this week’s word, Garden, from Sue and gc’s Weekly Prompts brought memories of my Dad. It has taken me far too long to appreciate what a great dad I had. I miss him every day.

My father was not a book smart man, he was raised a farmer’s son and worked the farm with Grandpa and his three brothers. There was little time for school work and no extracurricular activities. He once was invited to take voice lessons, but his father said, “No, there’s chores to do.” When the war came he was in 11th grade; he dropped out of school to go protect our country.

Dad and Mom were married as soon as he returned from the war, had two girls in the next 2 years and struggled, as many did in the early 1950’s. Another daughter was born 8 years later, and a son 8 years after her. Mom said she was moving out in another 8 years, she didn’t.

Dad was a hard-working hired farmhand. For one reason or another we moved around a lot. Perhaps it was hard for him to take orders? We didn’t see it at home. He was fun loving, loved to laugh and be with people. He respected women and loved his family.

He was not perfect and I did not share some of his opinions and beliefs. One instance I remember was about a book I was reading for school, “Black Like Me.” Dad saw it and tossed it on the table saying, “Why are you reading that trash?” I knew then not to bring a black man home to meet the family.

Dad loved to play his guitar and sing. We would spend Saturday nights with friends Howard, Dorothy and their three boys. Dad, with his guitar, and Howard, with his accordion, would sit, sing and play for hours. Us kids would go outside and do whatever kids did in the late1950’s or early 1960’s. It was good, clean fun with friends.

Dad and Mom raised us in a Christian Methodist home where Sunday’s were for Sunday school and church. Dad’s love of music carried over to his religion, which brings me to the connection with this week’s word, Garden. He had many favored songs, but the song he most loved was the hymn In the Garden. My three siblings and I sang it, as he had requested, at his funeral 22 years ago. It is a favorite of mine as well. Here are the words and a YouTube video of it being sung by The Church Sisters. I hope you enjoy it.

United Methodist Hymnal 314 – In The Garden

I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known

He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet
The birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gives to me
Within my heart is to ringing.

And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known

When I hear this song I envision a new day dawning with a bright sun rising over dew covered grass, fields of beautiful wildflowers and colorful birds floating through the air. It is a peaceful and quiet place, a place close to God and Dad..

I hope you have enjoyed my walk In The Garden with Dad.