The Adventures of Mother, Her Parents, and Polly Parrot

               This week, Mother and I saw a news story about parrots. It prompted us to discuss Mother's first pet, the positive impression the parrot made on her, and to reprise this previous blog post.

                  My grandparents, Calvin and Gladys Smith, furnished lodging for two brothers who were working for them. At that time, my mother and her parents lived in the little house that was the first home my mother remembers. (The aforementioned house was featured in the blog post entitled Miracles at the Little House. Here is a link to the blog post: https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2014/07/miracles-at-little-house.html) In lieu of rent, Grandpa and Grandma accepted a parrot in payment! To make matters worse, Grandma discovered that every evening the talking parrot would call repeatedly the name, “Willa Dean” causing my grandmother to suspect that she had taken stolen property for the delinquent rent.

                Grandma was a working mother. Grandpa drove the team of horses while Grandma rode the cultivator. Before Grandma left for the field, she always put on her meal of pork to cook. That took care of lunch preparation.

                Childcare for my mother, Bernyce, was imperative. Grandpa fixed a little seat for my mother to ride on the cultivator. What resourceful parents she had!

                The same cultivator was stolen and later located around Skiatook. My grandparents could easily identify it. Even though the thieves cut off Mother’s little custom-made seat, they could not disguise where Grandpa had originally attached it.

                One day while in the field, they heard the cry, “Fire! Fire!” Grandpa reverted to his days playing baseball and ran to the house as though he was rounding the bases during a game. There was Polly, the parrot, perched atop their house watching the smoke come out of the chimney. When Grandpa could see the house was not burning, but Grandma's dinner preparation had produced the smoke, he reacted angrily, “That nasty parrot!”

Lewis, older brother of Gladys
Rainey Smith, and Pearl
Bierman Rainey

                One evening  Grandpa, Grandma, and my mother returned home to hear laughter. It sounded just like Aunt Pearl Rainey’s cheerful, high-pitched laugh. As Grandma searched through the house, she began saying, “Now Pearl come out. I know you’re here.”

                However, Aunt Pearl was not there. No one else was there, except Polly, the parrot. Sure enough, it was Polly laughing exactly like Aunt Pearl!

                On another occasion, my grandpa was trying to get the team of horses into their harness so he could work in the field. Polly Parrot begin saying, “Yee! Yee!”  Immediately the horses reacted to the shrill command, lurching back into the pasture. My normally easy-going grandpa retorted, “That nasty parrot!”

                My mother’s maternal grandma, Rosa Jarrell Rainey, came often to visit at Mother’s home. When she bid good-bye to Mother and her parents, Polly imitated their farewells with her own mimicry of theirs by calling, “Good-bye, Grandma! Good-bye, Grandma!”

Another day when her grandmother came, Mother was sitting in her highchair with Polly, the parrot, perched on the back of the highchair. Polly leaned down to gently “kiss” Mother. Her grandma reacted in fear and impulsively grabbed Polly’s back in an effort to protect her little granddaughter. Polly’s beak instinctively ripped a deep gash in Grandma Rainey’s hand. Up to this point, Polly had never harmed Mother or her parents. Even as young as Mother was, she knew to offer Polly her finger for a perch and never grab her.

Soon Mother’s parents sold Polly. In retrospect, Mother has always insisted Polly did nothing wrong. She has often wondered what happened to Polly since parrots naturally have a long life span. As an only child, Mother bonded with Polly to such an extent that she still recalls how she missed that lively, smart, avian imitator even though their adventures occurred around 95 years ago.

Bernyce Smith Gates, my mother, and her grandma, Rosa Jarrell Rainey.

The Patience of God on Display

        While feeding the cats one evening this week, I saw God’s patience illustrated in His creation. Dangling precariously from the underside of a shelf hung an exoskeleton of a cicada, For the first time in my life, I observed the laborious way God allowed the adult green cicada to emerge. As I watered tomato plants, checked on cats, and ran the weed eater some, I periodically checked the status of the emergence of the adult green cicada from its nymph case or exoskeleton. What a miracle in ultra slow motion!

First glimpse of the exoskeleton.

        

        The late-planted tomatoes are growing imperceptibly with an occasion blossom appearing. Not just the tomatoes or the emergence of the green cicada, but most progression in God’s creation moves at an unhurried pace rarely seen in our 21st century. 
        Then one morning, I finished edging with the weed eater after mowing the previous evening. The warm morning with its slightly cool breeze made the task almost pleasant. At one point, I had to go old school and get a spade to better edge the sidewalk.

The cicada emerges more.

        As I used the spade to move the dirt and then turned on the power blower, I thought of Grandma Gladys Rainey Smith. She loved the yard work, the expansive (at least for me) flower beds, and rejoiced when every aspect exuded touring a botanical garden. However, she had no power tools – just a hoe, spade, and shears leading to painstakingly slow, hard work.   

First spotting of wings.

        Jesus called God the vinedresser. God, in Jesus’s illustration, and Grandma both served as caregivers of plants. Pruning required cutting away anything endangering the growth or productivity of the plant. In the same way, Grandma’s edging, required meticulous care to remove the culprits of weeds, grass, harmful pests, or anything that impugned her vision for the flower beds
        Jesus called His followers branches on His vine. John 15:2 stated Every branch that bears fruit He prunes. Jesus articulated to His disciples that productive branches can expect pruning. Pruning removed the unproductive aspects of the plant.
        In the lives of the children of God, pruning is a slow and challenging process, almost always painful, as fruitless elements of our lives are removed. Yet it remains extremely important since John recorded in John 15:8, By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Yielding to His pruning will result in fruitfulness that glorifies Him.

Final photo of nine taken.

        

        Whether observing life cycles in God’s creation or equating our plant or garden care to the Father’s pruning of His “branches,” we see He demands patient waiting. This waiting is so evident in our prayers that we often pray for many years and appear to receive no answers, especially when petitioning Him for the salvation of a dear loved one. Peter expresses articulately this aspect of God’s character in II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

         May we take time to see the patience of God on display in His creation every day. His followers obey and yield patiently to His careful pruning of unproductive aspects of our lives. Our prayer attitude of trusting His answer to come exemplifies our unrelenting trust in Him and His willingness to respond - no matter how long the wait.

Falls Creek Back in the Day

        

Kneeling: Paul Warnock, Darrel Banning (served as a lineman and died in 

1982), Tony Warnock. Standing: Jim Warnock, Linda Laird, Janice Wolf, 

Glenda Wolf, Jean Banning, Nancy LeForce, Opal Warnock, Vonnie Laird, 

Gilbert Domeny (who served his country for 20 years, retired, and died 

in 2019)

        A photo from the photograph collection of my maternal grandma, Gladys Rainey Smith, inspired memories of a newly formed church and its ministry to young people over 60 years ago.

        The Masham Baptist Church originated from brush arbors preceded by all-night prayer meetings. Mother said Brother Ray Hart, the preacher with a burning desire to see people’s lives changed by Jesus, guided in the building of the initial church structure. He taught his congregation the Bible with an unrivaled fervor for them to grow in grace. Mother said those early days of the Masham Baptist Church mirrored the last phrase of Nehemiah 4:6, The people had a mind to work. The congregation’s unity and willingness to work exemplified the first church in Acts.

        A couple of summers, my grandparents accompanied young campers to Falls Creek. Both had been saved as adults so had never attended or chaperoned a week with teens. Even though they didn’t meet the typical criteria for youth sponsors, some of those youth as older adults still comment on their week with my grandparents so many decades ago.

        Grandma was in her late fifties and attended primarily as a cook. She and Mrs. Warnock prepared the “grub” as Grandpa would say. Grandma recalled Brother Jim Warnock, their new pastor, refused to allow any complaint about the meals. Establishing that attitude of respect impressed Grandma.

        Grandpa went as a token male sponsor. He loved the outstanding teaching and preaching that Falls Creek always provided. His easy-going personality with an understated sense of humor emerged years later when Tony Warnock asked me about a little rhyme I had recited as a preschooler. Grandma had taught me to say, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” Grandpa created a second line and I quickly learned, “Saddle up the cat and Nanny got on.”

        Mother recalled Paul Warnock meeting, getting to know in the youth group, and marrying Linda Bright at the Masham Baptist Church. Her usual comment: The Masham Kids were a good group.

        Recently, Vonnie Laird Robbins passed away. This brought many memories and mourning for Mother. (This link shares more about Vonnie: https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2023/08/singing-about-lilies.html)

        Vonnie’s sister, Linda Laird, sang with a beautiful soprano voice. Dad always connected with her at the Pawnee Sale Barn when he sold cattle. He would say, “I saw Linda when she gave me the check.” He delighted telling Mother any family updates Linda shared. Linda’s death brought such sadness to Mother’s heart.

        Nancy LeForce proved to be a committed Bible student--taught by Grandma in upper elementary grades, and then Mother in the high school years. Nancy sang with her sister, Janie, and Linda Laird in a trio that blessed many of the worship times at the Masham Baptist Church. Nancy’s grandparents served the Lord faithfully in many ways even hosting youth parties in their rural Masham home.

         Mother often commented, “It was always Nancy and Janie.” The girls were so close in age with Nancy being just slightly older, but Janie’s strong, determined personality belied that.* Mother was heartbroken when Janie and her son, Brett, were taken in a car accident in 1986.

        Janice and Glenda Wolf heralded from the rural Morrison area. Mother remembered Janice at the house parties, which were thoroughly enjoyed by the high schoolers. Recently, Janice sent a note expressing her appreciation to Mother for her influence in her salvation and spiritual journey. With Mother’s ministry opportunities being minimal, Janice brought encouragement to Mother’s heart. 

        Brother Jim and Opal Warnock, Jean Banning, my grandparents, and possibly Alwilda Laird had sacrificed a week of their summer to allow these young people to be immersed in Biblical teaching, preaching, and fellowship. May all who have a life committed to Jesus follow the Apostle Paul’s personal plan from I Corinthians 9:19 

Even though I am no one’s slave, yet I have made myself a slave to everyone. I have done this so that I might win more people to Christ.

*Our pastor commended Nancy LeForce Wills and her husband, Charles, for their willingness to serve the Lord faithfully week in and week out. He had served many years with them in the Pawnee Baptist Church. I enjoyed serving in VBS under Nancy’s directorship as children’s lives were influenced for eternity.

Remembering the Three Edmunds on Father's Day

             As a child, June was always the birthday month celebrating the two Edmunds in our family. Dad, Edmund, Jr., was born on June 15. My grandpa, Edmund, Sr., was born on June 16. Grandpa was almost 42 years old when Dad was born in the Bend on their farm located on the Arkansas River. My grandparents had purchased the small farm just two years before Dad’s birth.

          Grandpa had been born in Girard, Kansas in 1877. Grandpa was the first-born child of my great grandparents, John Fredrick and Elizabeth Studebaker Gates, both deaf. Grandpa’s first language was American Sign Language. https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-first-language-of-edmund-gates-sr.html

          The first Edmund Gates known in our family history was born on May 15, 1805, according to a contribution by his wife, Passingfair Shore Gates in History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois.

The First Edmund - born 1805

          Edmund was born in Iredell County of North Carolina, to Joseph and Elender Traylor Gates in 1805. He married Passingfair Shore in 1828 in Morgan County, Illinois, about 30 miles west of Springfield, Illinois. They settled on a claim in Jo Daviess County in the northwest corner of Illinois. The north Jo Daviess County line borders Wisconsin while its west county line bumps up to Iowa.

          The will of Joseph Gates, the first Edmund’s father, was proved on June 24, 1851, with his wife receiving one-third of his real estate and personal property. The remaining two-thirds of Joseph’s holdings were bequeathed to his son, Edmund.

          The other four descendants living were left one dollar. At first glance, based on the insistence on equity in the 21^st century, Edmund’s will written in the 1850s smacked with unfairness.

          Upon a brief, further investigation, the three of the four adult children, beside Edmund, listed had already relocated to Macon, Missouri, and were doing well in their own right at the time of their father’s death.

Edmund Gates, Sr.  - born 1877

          Edmund and Passingfair’s youngest child, John Fredrick, was around 11 years old when his Grandpa Joseph died leaving the bulk of his assets to John’s father. On June 16, 1877, when John Fredrick’s wife, Elizabeth Studebaker Gates gave birth to their first child in their Kansas home, they named him Edmund after John’s father, Edmund, who had died 2 years earlier in Illinois.

          Edmund, Sr., my grandpa, relocated to the Bend, leasing land until he purchased the Gates farm in 1917. It reached centennial status in 2017 when it marked the 100th year it had been in the Gates family. My Aunt Lou Gates lives on the farm. Her son, Tim Gates, owns this landmark farm.

           In 1919, my father was born on that farm on June 15. Grandpa immediately chose to give my father his name since my father was born only one day prior to his own birthday.

Edmund Gates, Jr. - born 1919

          The meaning of the name Edmund is “prosperous protector” or “happy defender.” The first two Edmunds seemed to fit the first meaning, but my own father was the epitome of a happy defender of our family and all he held dear – his loved ones, his rural way of life, his country for which he served in World War II, and his strong spiritual beliefs grounded in God’s Word.

The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him. Proverbs 23:24 Amplified Bible – Classic Edition

Led But Not Exactly Following

          Recently, I moved, prepared, and filled the various types of block pans for the cattle. We were planning to allow them grazing privileges in the north pasture.

          After accomplishing all I wanted to do before turning the cattle in the north area, I called them. A couple of cows mooed in answer. I was pretty sure they were preoccupied with grazing the lush green grass that God had blessed us with this spring season.

Some of Mother's herd grazing. Only GSBG (Grand Sir's Baby Girl) looked
at me. She received her name upon being born as the final calf sired by Grand Sir.
Grand Sir was Dad's last bull whose favorite place to graze was the north side of
Big Bend Road outside the fence.

          I drove closer to the herd and parked on a rise. I called the cattle a couple of times with my voice and tapped the horn. A couple began coming. Soon most of the herd were following.

          Then almost as if a light bulb lit up for them, they moved past the truck. I slowed because they had missed the gate. They went straight to the spot where the block pans were. The only problem the fence separated them from the blocks they so wanted.

          I continued moving slowly toward the gate. I inched the truck through the opening and drove in the north pasture almost parallel with the area where the block pans were positioned.

          The cattle took a lick or two of the blocks and headed toward the new grassy pasture. The final one through the gate – a little steer – kicked up his hind hooves as if to signal, I think I’ll like it here!

          Frequently, we are like the cows who eagerly followed the truck, until they spotted the blocks. Don’t we often follow the Lord carefully until we see our prayers in sight? Just like the cattle, we head straight for our desires instead of following the Lord’s slower, sometime meandering, but meticulous leading to get us positioned for the very best for us. The detour we choose to take usually costs us time, delaying receiving our desires, and sometimes resulting in disappointment until we follow the Lord’s leading.

         Let’s obey God’s Voice recorded by the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 48:17:

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go.

John W. Bierman, an Early Bender

The early day Bender and focus of this blog, Mr. Bierman has a great-great grandson and his wife, Mark and Dawn Anson, who continue to farm in the Bend. I attend church with Mark Myers, the great grandson of Mr. Bierman, who has stayed active this spring as he serves with the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. I think Mr. Bierman would be pleased with these descendants.

                Many people visited cemeteries all over the United States this past week. On our annual trip to Pixley Cemetery on the northside of the Bend in Osage County, I saw a tombstone that I had seen for many, many years, but this Memorial Day I viewed it in a different light.

Tombstone of John W. and Ella J. Bostick Bierman in Pixley
Cemetery as I viewed it this spring.

                During the past year, Lester Anson shared photos from the collection of his late wife, Tomasine Rainey Anson. Tomasine’s paternal grandpa, Lewis Rainey, and Gladys Rainey Smith, my maternal grandma, were siblings. Digitizing these treasured photos was like discovering a genealogical gold mine, and I am so grateful for Lester's generosity in sharing these priceless pictures. The portrait of Tomasine’s great grandfather Bierman prompted this blog post.                                                                                     

                Great Uncle Lewis met, courted, and married Pearl Bierman after the Rainey family moved to the Bend in the first decade of the  20^th century. They raised their children, Leo and Johnny in the Bend.

                The Bierman family members were recorded in the 1910 United States Census as living in the Bighill Township (the legal description of the Bend). John, the head of household was listed as 44 years old and interestingly both parents were categorized as German immigrants. His wife was recorded as Ella J. Bostick Bierman, nine years younger than her husband. She descended from French Canadian, Potawatomi, and Scottish ancestors.

Portrait of John W. Bierman - from
Tomasine Rainey Anson's collection.

                Grandma Gladys admired Mr. Bierman, as she referred to him, for providing leadership in the Bend. The community was so far from the Osage County Seat in Pawhuska. The men of the community intervened when a domestic abuse incident occurred with a couple. Even though the area was settled in that era by those of a pioneer spirit, with much determination, and indomitable endurance, men were not to strike women. They were to be respected and treated as the weaker sex. Even coarse behavior, crude joking and rough language were unacceptable in the presence of ladies in those days in the Bend. The men of the early Bend were not perfect but had respect for women.

                Mr. Bierman died in 1925 just a year after my mother’s birth. Grandma commented how pleased he was to hold my mother. Benders still value the birth of little ones and joyously welcomed our newest neighbor.*

                Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Bierman’s tombstone took on a renewed interest for me after seeing Mr. Bierman’s portrait, made over 100 years old. Their epitaph read:

Friends as you pass by

As you are now so once was I.

My grandma often quoted two additional lines to this brief rhyming epitaph because of its sobering tone:

As I am now soon you will be.

Prepare for death and follow me.

                Jesus gave us the clear way to prepare to have everlasting life in John 3:16 with these words, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

 *On May 1, 2024, another little Bender was born to Tiffany and Casey Goad. Little Gatlin Babe Goad was given his middle name to honor his great great-grandfather, Otis “Babe” Goad, one of his “Bend” ancestors.

Lost in the House

          In March, a roller coaster ride described the week we had with Mother’s health. Elevated temperatures and severe chilling episodes culminated in another ambulance ride. Thankfully, her EMTs while unloading her at the hospital told how Mother cracked jokes on the way, comparing the ambulance trip to a roller coaster ride. The intravenous fluids she received seemed to help immensely. Once again, no major red flags waved. She came home.

          Angie had stayed four days and three nights. As she packed to return home on the fourth day, she couldn’t locate her glasses. We began searching for them not wanting to awaken Mother. Then Angie spoke softly, “My wedding ring is not in the leaf.”

Photograph from the wedding album
of Angie and Ben. They exchanged 
rings and vows on May 28, 1994.

          Normally, Angie stored her wedding ring in a leaf-shaped dish on the table next to her bed. We both silently prayed for God to enlighten our eyes to the two lost objects – one much more valuable than the other.

          Suddenly as I passed Mother’s bed, I spied the missing glasses. I quickly took them to Angie. I silently prayed, Lord, You know where Angie’s ring is. Please open our eyes to the ring.

          God faithfully helped us find Angie’s ring. I raised my hands in thankfulness as Dad would have done. God showed lavish grace in allowing us to locate the missing items.

          I remembered Dad often recalling Brother Ray Hart’s message, “Lost in the House” based on Luke 15:8-10 whenever something was lost in the house. Jesus told this parable of a woman who had lost one of her ten silver coins.

          According to Biblical notes, these ten coins were drachmas. This Greek word indicated a coin equivalent to a day’s wages. In our 21^st century way of thinking, the garland of the ten drachmas belonging to a married woman would equal a two-week paycheck. The woman’s loss of this coin in Jesus’s parable might be comparable to the disappearance of a stone from a wedding ring set which represented a substantial loss.

          Just as Angie and I turned on lights, the woman lit the lamp. We searched carefully just as the woman had done.

          The lost coin didn’t find itself. Just as the woman initiated the search, God was the one seeking for lost souls. The woman wanted the coin to be back in its rightful place on her garland of coins symbolizing her marriage. God desired that humans live in fellowship with Him – their rightful place.

          Jesus compared her joy at finding the lost coin to the joy in the presence of the angels over a sinner’s repentance. Jesus stated, Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

          Jesus did not say the angels rejoice. He declared the joy was in the presence of the angels. I told Mother I believe our loved ones who died in Christ praise joyfully every time a human here on earth responds to Jesus with a life-altering commitment.

Upon hearing of the episode of Angie misplacing her wedding ring, Ben
suggested "Just wear a slicone ring when you work at the farm." After 30 years,
Ben knew their commitment to each other didn't depend on an external symbol.
Just as believers in Jesus, the marriage relationship is illustrated by the respect
and commitment day-to-day in our obedient actions.

Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!

Remembering a Bender Who Traveled Far and Wide

Our friend, Lou Brock, shared some family photos with us recently. It seemed the perfect time to pay tribute to his father. Included are some of the photos from Lou’s collection. 

Wheeler in the 1930s.

              Today seemed appropriate to remember a Bender 47 years after his passing on May 19.1977. Wheeler Eagle Brock’s original family home was on land adjoining my mother’s farm at her northeast corner and the Brock land’s southwest corner. Wheeler’s mother, Lavaria, was an original Osage allottee.
                My maternal grandma, Gladys Vivian Rainey, formed a bond with young Wheeler when as a young woman she was employed by his mother, Lavaria Wheeler Brock. Grandma mastered the preparation of traditional grape dumplings after foraging the “possum” grapes from vines near the Arkansas River in the early fall season. I never tasted a bowl of grape dumplings that rivaled those Grandma made. The sole reason stemmed from the “wild” grapes rendering a richer, more robust flavor. This dish remains a standing dessert for the

Wheeler's parents, Lou and Lavaria 
Brock with Mildred, Wheeler's wife in 
the 1950s.

Osages, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws when observing the traditions from the past.
                Wheeler served in the Merchant Marines. He sailed across the equator or in other words, sailed down under. Wheeler wore a tiny gold earring as a carry-over representing his extensive sailing while serving in the merchant marines.
                Wheeler chose Mildred Holman with whom he would spend the remainder of his life. They both loved to laugh, but Millie seemed to more frequently find the witty side of situations. Wheeler’s dry humor complemented Millie’s laughter-infused responses.
                When Wheeler retired from teaching in other states and countries and returned with his family to the Bend, my grandparents enjoyed many visits with them. Grandma frequently declared to Wheeler in those conversations how he was a favorite of his mother. His sensitivity, love of learning, and thoughtfulness endeared him to his mother.
                His son, Lou, stood as one of his chief accomplishments. Wheeler and Mildred fostered and nurtured their son’s love and God-given musical talent. For many decades, Lou blessed the Ralston Baptist Church as he played the organ and sang. 

Wheeler with his son, Lou
in the 1950s

Once the church had a guest preacher on a Sunday night. The attendance was sparce, but the retired pastor commented, “I thought I was in a much bigger church” based on the music to which Lou laughed heartily.               

                Wheeler respected and valued his Osage heritage. Ironically, this week I observed anew three of the buffalo wallows on Mother’s southwest side of her farm. Mrs. Floris Brandenburg reminisced to us in her class during elementary days of the buffalo wallows that dotted Osage and Pawnee counties as she urged us to cherish, remember, and learn from the past. Wheeler did just that. As so many of us who descend from different cultural backgrounds, we learn to honor each ethnicity that has made us who we are as Wheeler did.

A beautiful Indian
Paintbrush plant
blooming at the edge
of one of the smaller
buffalo wallows this
week.

                The overarching truth of our lives remains as Moses reminded in Deuteronomy 10:17: The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. Then the Apostle John wrote in I John 2:2 He (Jesus) is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins, but the sins of all the world. May we emulate the God who created and sustains us by responding with no partiality. Wheeler’s life advocated and demonstrated this principle. May our lives as well.

Celebrating Mother and Her Smile

               

Frequently, at age 99, my mother, Bernyce Gates Smith, is complimented on her beautiful smile. This Mother’s Day seemed a good time to explore what contributes to it.

The few photos of Mother until this
senior portrait were very somber - much
like Grandpa's portrait.

                First, genetics passed from her Cherokee descent plays a huge role. God blessed Mother and my maternal grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, with a full mouth and beautiful, straight teeth. These physical traits had to originate with Grandpa’s father, Walter Smith. Mother’s cousin, Elizabeth Purcell Hammer, and I visited many times before her death at age 103. She told of her family living briefly with her maternal grandparents after her family’s house burned and spoke of her grandpa encouraging her and her sisters to dance as my grandpa and his brother, Isaac, played stringed instruments. Immediately, I asked her who Great grandpa Walter resembled. She said, “Your grandpa looked like him more than any of the others.” I deduced Mother’s “mouth” initially “belonged” to her paternal grandpa, since he was categorized as full blood and must come through her Cherokee heritage.

Few Photographs taken in the 1920s
had the subject smiling. Grandpa was
no exception.

                As long as I can remember, daily dental care has been of utmost importance in Mother’s life. I have been so imprinted with her routine. Last year, as we returned at 1:30 a.m. from a late-night ER visit, with the assistance of my brother-in-law and sister, we got our drowsy mother into bed. I exclaimed in a guarded voice, “But she has not brushed and flossed her teeth!” My brother-in-law replied, “Don’t worry about it tonight.”

                For over forty years, Mother faithfully had her dental exams twice a year with Dr. Henderson. She had a good relationship with her dentist whom Dad referred to as Doc. Dr. Gary Henderson and Dad shared interests in cattle raising, flying, and World War II history. Dad looked forward to the dental checks for the visiting they would do.

                With thanks to the Lord for giving her a good set of teeth, Mother’s stringent daily care, and the assistance of a dedicated dentist, Mother still retains her own teeth.

                Often, as she brushes and flosses each night, I remind her health is directly tied to having a good set of teeth so she can eat anything she wants. Other times, we laugh when I remind her of little sign in one of Dr. Henderson’s exam rooms. It stated, “Only floss the teeth you want to keep.”

                Her DNA, her daily dental care, and a dedicated dentist have contributed to her beautiful smile. The most important contributor I have saved for last. A smile originates internally in one’s spirit fueled primarily by one’s attitude.

                Solomon writes in Proverbs 15:13, A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.(ESV) The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon gives insight into retaining “a glad heart” in Proverbs 12:25 with these words, Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.(ESV)

                Anxiety as scripture says, “weighs…” one “down.” Encouraging words from loved ones and friends lift the heavy heart, but nothing can replace the strengthening received from reading God’s Word. Our pastor taught on the life and impact of Ezra and said many attributed Psalm 119 to Ezra’s authorship. In the last phrase of Psalm 119:28, God inspired these words, … strengthen me according to Your word! (ESV) 

                        May we all be challenged to give a smile to all we meet. It costs nothing. Investing in smiling can yield great dividends to yourself and anyone with whom you share the smile. The oldest Big Bend resident would recommend and encourage smiling. It has served her well these 99 years.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Undeserved Grace

This week once again, I have been reminded of the graciousness of God through His loved ones. Over and over, Mother and I have been the recipients of the kindness of others who give time, resources, prayers, and encouragement in the name of the Lord without show or fanfare. To each of you – Thank you!
        Over the last few weeks, I have been observing the beautiful, vibrant purple flowers of vetch this spring. Seeing these gorgeous verdant creations of God brought to mind the words of Jesus in Luke 12:27, Consider how the wildflowers: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! (HCSB). Those stunning vetch blooms in the pastures, meadow, and even in the yard had done nothing to deserve such visual exaltation – no work, no self effort.

        Jesus continued in Luke 12:28 comparing we humans to the short-lived wildflowers. Then He asked the rhetorical question at the end of the verse, …How much more will He do for you – you of little faith? (HCSB).
        Then Jesus issued a command that if heeded would be life-altering to His disciples. In verse 29 of the same chapter of Luke His words appear, Don’t keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. Our Lord and Master addressed the basic needs of mankind but gave a terse command in His last three words – Don’t be anxious. In our country, so often our anxiety is fueled by worries over issues never concerning the gravely deprived populations of the third world countries whose primary need is their next meal or shelter for their family.
        Over the last 12 years since returning to the farm, it seems almost daily anxiety enters my mind. Prayers of thanksgiving all through the day have helped refocus me. Every time our needs are met, even though God primarily uses people to meet them, He is the source of every good and perfect gift.
        Frequently, I am reminded how undeserving I am of each need being met. Yet our loving Heavenly Father lavishes on us what we need. That is the beauty of grace, giving us something we in no way deserve.
        This week may we walk in the daily awareness of the truth of Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:7-8. May our meditation on God's undeserved grace energize our lives to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we go through the week. 

It is through the Son, at the cost of His own blood, that we are redeemed, freely forgiven through that full and generous grace which has overflowed into our lives and opened our eyes to the truth. (I used a translation that Grandpa Calvin Callcayah Smith loved to read -  J.B. Phillips Translation.)

Curbing Spring Fever in the Bend

 As we find ourselves surrounded by the glorious season of spring, I always recall how challenging as a teacher it was to "corral" students inside the four walls when perfect weather awaited those winter-weary young people. My grandfather had a constructive solution for this malady.

In the late 1920s, Finis Ewing Rippee and his wife, Elizabeth, arrived in the Big Bend community to teach at the Woodland School (Lester Anson’s home is located where the Woodland School once stood.). Mr. Rippee captured the interest of his students as a creatively innovative teacher. He was one of the first people with a radio in the Bend. On historically momentous occasions, F.E. Rippee brought the radio into the rural school building, introducing the wide-eyed scholars to a world of which they knew nothing.

My father, Edmund
Gates, Jr., as cropped 
from a group
photograph taken at
 the Woodland School
located in the Big Bend.
Notice the hat on
backwards and his 
bare feet.

Even though my father, Edmund Gates, Jr., found Mr. Rippee fascinating as a teacher, when he was around 10 years old, he began loafing instead of studying in school.  Mr. Rippee visited with Edmund, Sr. about the situation. My grandfather, Edmund, Sr. told Mr. Rippee, “Just let me keep him out of school a week to help me clear walnut trees.”

Eighty years later, my father explained the process this way. He and my grandfather dug down around each of the tree stumps about a foot and a half, with both of them using a shovel. This allowed a place wide enough to maneuver a crosscut saw effectively. Then Dad and his father each got on one end of the crosscut saw and began pushing and pulling. Some of the walnut trees had trunks with 10-inch diameters. My father exhibited unparalleled strength for his small size. He was so agile that he could easily climb a tree to get a squirrel (Steve Gates, his nephew, would later categorize Dad as a squirrel on the rafters of a new dwelling. Dad was in his 70s and 80s at that time!). Even with the sturdy physique of my father in his boyhood, he characterized the week out of school as very hard work. I'm sure he collapsed his slim, work-weary body into bed each evening that week. 

When Monday morning rolled around, Dad was the first one in the buggy to go to school. He had learned the value of education on the end of the crosscut saw.

Both my father and Ruby Martin Rice conveyed the respect they had for Mr. Rippee as an educator and a person. They related how he taught them principles for life that made them better people after they graduated from the eighth grade at Woodland School. A teacher who can impart to his students the qualities that make a responsible employee, a reliable parent, a trustworthy spouse, and a dependable neighbor deserves the loftiest of accolades. 

The writer of Hebrews interweaves succinctly our earthly father's correction and the perfect discipline of the Heavenly Father. Children who learn to adhere to boundaries will more readily respond to God's correction. 

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening  - it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:10-11 (New Living Translation)

When Two Pennies Spoke Loudly

            On a recent warm spring morning I pulled out my short-sleeved t-shirts and rediscovered a tee Angie had given me last year. It reminded me of this blog post I had begun shortly after receiving the t-shirt mentioned in the blog post below. 

           One day last summer, I opened the mailbox to discover a plastic package on top of the mail. My name and address were handprinted. The return address label had such an attractive look.

Return Label on Package

            Upon arriving in the house, I carefully opened the plastic bag, wondering what this could be. I pulled out a t-shirt. Then I remembered my sister mentioning a Pawnee, Oklahoma-specific tee that she thought I would like. She was correct in agreeing that it would have significance to me.

As a child, I loved the movement of the mechanical horse at Ermy’s* in downtown Pawnee. Whenever we went into the unique store so my parents or grandparents could buy overalls, sewing patterns, fabric, boots, or lace, the store spelled F-U-N to a preschooler looking forward to a ride or two.

Front of the T-Shirt Bought By Angie for Me

            A ride on the mechanical horse located in Ermy’s cost only a penny. Usually, my dad or grandpa supervised my rides on the galloping steed. As a little one who craved activity, this charger afforded such fun for me.

One ride stood out as a learning opportunity for a little 2–3-year-old. Dad funded the trotting pony that day. He gave me a couple of pennies to hold in my little hand. I reveled in the shiny little pennies since they ensured more rides. He helped me insert the penny and soon I rode rhythmically on this thoroughbred with my imagination racing me outside the building. Suddenly, the pennies slipped from my hand. In consternation, I watched the pennies fall and roll over the antiquated floor. As my ride ended, I saw a child snatch the pennies I had dropped. To my horror, I overheard these words tumble from the child, “Look what I found!” A woman I guessed to be the little girl’s mother replied, “Did you?” The child nodded.

            Dad helped me off the mechanical horse. He got on my level and made sure with a quiet voice and calm demeanor that I understood what had happened. The child had grabbed something that did not belong to her. He said stealing was wrong and explained the little girl did the wrong thing. He continued to discuss that the little girl who stole my two pennies also didn’t tell the truth. It seemed that was the first day I heard the word lied. I got the message loud and clear because she had lied by telling she had just found those two pennies. I knew she saw those pennies fall from my hand.

            Do children listen to parents and learn important principles? They absolutely do, especially if it is tied to a personal experience or an observable happening. Dad had a knack for teaching life principles this way. Frequently, he quoted a Bible verse to provide a basis for the truth he was teaching.

            I haven’t worn the tee from Angie, my sister, yet but every time I wear it, I will recall how Dad used the mechanical horse fiasco to teach me the value of the penny many decades ago. Even more importantly, he instructed me in the integrity of honesty and truthfulness.

            Lord, give me eyes to see and take every opportunity You give to impart truth from Your Word. I know Your Word is everlasting just like each person I meet. Give me Your wisdom and boldness from Your Holy Spirit to invest in both of these – Your Word and people.

 *Cheatham’s stocked groceries, books, some toys, paper dolls, and 1,001 other items. The two stores were connected and under the same roof and owned by the same family.

 

Encouragement from the Little Wild Violet

         Recently I walked from the bunk feeders up the slope near Mother’s “Big Pond” to check on a cow. Once I arrived, I realized I had misidentified the cow from a distance. Since it wasn’t the cow I was in seeking, I trudged on thinking The cow of interest must the one farther north in the pasture. Alas, as I approached the second cow, I recognized I was mistaken again. Finally, based on color, I knew the cow I sought was farther northwest near the large ravine dubbed The Bear’s Den by my father long ago. I quickly assessed her and headed back.

        I turned quickly back to the house. To minimized anxiety for Mother, I  wrote the time for her to expect me back from checking and feeding cattle. I glanced down at my work watch that I usually strap on my wrist but in my haste had forgotten it. I hadn’t calculated in Mother’s timetable the additional time of the hike to check the cow.

        My speed walking began with an awareness of the possible hazards of perambulating too fast in a pasture. I remembered a few times my knees took the brunt of a fall when moving too quickly over unlevel terrain. In my memory of a fall several years ago, I uttered this prayer midfall, “Lord, heal me. Let me walk back to the house. Keep me out of the ER!” I finished the prayer as I got up off the ground.

        As I approached the shed near the bunk feeders, the rocky ground necessitated that I walked at a slower gait and stick to the cow path as I looked carefully where my feet were going. What a wonderful surprise came to my eyes!

        There at my feet was a lone wild violet. I had spotted little wild violets in previous years and in a couple of different locations. The little purplish flowers appear in our area between March and May.

        As I took a moment to look at it, I immediately thanked our gracious Creator for placing it on my path for that moment when I was a bit stressed.

        The pretty little bloom caused me realize if God created it and allowed me to see it at that very moment, He was reminding me of His care for Mother, the cow, me and all that concerned me.

        During this welcomed stress relief, I was reminded of His Word and it was what I needed to hear in David’s Psalm 138's last verse, The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

        Then in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul while in a Roman prison to write a companion verse to Psalm 138:8 in his letter to the new Philippian believers* found in Philippians 1:6, Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. As we daily read God's Word, we can rest that He will use His powerful Word as He works in us.  May we rely confidently on the assurance of His completion of His work in our lives until we meet Christ.

       

*Lydia was one of the young converts in the fledgling church at Philippi of whom Acts 16:14 records, The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. The Philippian group of believers had no building but met by the city’s riverside for prayer. What is the backstory on this woman? After the Lord opened her heart to Paul’s teaching, she invited Paul and Silas to stay in her home while ministering in Philippi. How did a woman in the days of the early church have a lucrative business to afford such an ample home and household to host Paul and Silas for an extended time? Lydia was a seller of purple, a product craved by the wealthy and elite of the day. They desired the  color of the little wild violet that God allowed on my path. Don’t we serve an awesome, good God?