Going Home

 

One day in the early 1960’s a fresh-faced airman from South Alabama needed to get a new id at Robins AFB in Warner Robins, Georgia. As he was going about his business he came across a really cute clerk typist who had a devilish sparkle in her eye. The rest is written in the sands of time. A dynasty was born. This was my parents. A few years after they got married they had me, then a few more years and my Baby Brother was born. My parents had 9 grandkids and 13 great-grandkids.

The Air Force took us all over the world. Dad and Mom traveled all over Spain, where I was born. Every few conversations Dad talked about standing before Queen Isabella’s throne.  Dad thoroughly enjoyed all that Spain had to offer. He has told the tale of his lasagne for years. He came across an Italian woman in Spain and she gave him his glorious lasagne recipe. It gave my Dad great joy to make a massive lasagne and then share it with family and friends. Dad was in a bar in Spain when the US astronauts landed on the moon. Somewhere there is an ashtray that Dad took from the bar and labeled with the date and event.

After Spain, we were stationed in Fort Worth, Texas. We traveled all over that great state. Somewhere Paul and I have our Dinosaur Hunting Licenses from Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas.

After Texas Dad was stationed in Korea. Mom, Me, and Paul went to stay in Warner Robins while he was gone. Dad bought a little motorcycle. He had to get permission from the base commander to buy the motorcycle. Dad rode that thing all over the place. Up to his death, he would tell everyone about riding his motorcycle in the Yellow Sea.

Next up was Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ. We went to every Native American historical place in that state. We went to the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater, The Petrified Forest, Oak Creek Canyon, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bedrock City,  explored Ghost Towns, and every other landmark Arizona had to offer. Mostly though we picnicked in the White Tank Mountains. We rode motorcycles, almost fell into abandoned gold mines, and had a great time.

We were stationed in a few other places and enjoyed them. Dad loved exploring everything a place had to offer.  He loved eating the food different places offered and exploring the cultures of other places.  If we lived close to Georgia or Alabama we made regular visits back to see our family. We walked the land and Dad told us all about his childhood. He also warned us about the dreaded Alabama Wampus Cat. We traveled back and forth across the country many times and stopped at numerous Roadside Attractions.

We traveled the world. But, when Dad retired and moved back to Alabama it soothed his soul. Every visit we made to him he rode us all over South Alabama, telling us all the places he lived, that this cousin used to live at this spot, so and so was running from the law and ran off the road and ended up in that pond.  He told us about hitting some tree in the pasture with the tractor. To this day that tree doesn't look healthy.

About 15 years ago I came to help him when he had his gall bladder out. We sat up that night. He told me that when his time came to an end he wanted to be on the farm. And he was. I know that made him happy.  As soon as we got him home he was ready to go. He is reunited with Mama and his other family members that went before him. He will be laid to rest very close to his parents, and sister Gloria.

Dad was the smartest person I ever met. Family meant everything to him. I hope he will be proud of all of us as he watches over us..