ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606180003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: guest column
SOURCE: JULIA STEWART MILTON
Daddy, how do I thank you. The most wonderful gifts I ever received came from you. Some were obvious.
Like the little yellow car you surprised me with at my high school graduation. And was I surprised! It was probably the best kept secret our family ever had. When we walked toward it in the school parking lot and you handed me the keys I was dumbfounded! I loved that little car. I wish I still had it.
And of course there was "Star," my horse. She was always referred to as "Julia's horse" even though you always took care of her for me. And you kept her for me until the end, even though I know if she had been just any horse you probably wouldn't have. She made me the envy of every other little girl. A good example of that was when my cousin locked herself in our bathroom until her parents agreed she could have a pony too.
There were so many other pets I don't dare try to mention them all. I never knew what you might surprise me with next. Like the night you came home with the tiniest dog I ever saw hidden in the chest of your coveralls. Then there were the raccoons we tried to tame. I remember you climbing the tree in the front yard to retrieve one that got loose.
Probably the most memorable of my wildlife pets were the baby skunks you brought home when I was about 8 years old.
Although they didn't go to Bible school with me that hot summer morning, their scent did! We were running late, so the preacher from Big Spring Baptist gave us a ride anyway, thinking he could clean me up once we got there.
He finally gave up and passed me on to Aunt Mildred at her store next door to the church. It was finally Mama and her Avon Lady supplies that changed my scent from "skunk" to the Avon favorite "Unforgettable." An excellent choice under the circumstances.
But the best gifts have not necessarily been so obvious. They are feelings and memories. You and Mama gave me "carefree barefoot," "kittens in the hayloft," "corn-on-the cob," "cousins visiting," lightning bug catching" summers.
And "playing in the snow," "warm quilts," "popcorn in front of the TV" winters.
We had seemingly endless Christmases. With the occasional special treat of you bringing a baby donkey in the house to have our picture made with it under the Christmas tree. It was a long time before I realized this wasn't a Christmas tradition for everyone - just us.
We had wonderful birthdays with parties and pony rides.
And no matter what the season, we had the things kids love the most about farm life - baby animals. There have always been baby chicks, calves, lambs, foals or baby goats.
I also know that it hasn't always been easy. You've always worked hard to make our lives better. And there have been set-backs and misfortunes. And there have been disappointments too. But those usually came from us, not you. And we've lost a lot of loved ones along the way. But you always show us by your example. Keep going. Take one day at a time. Do the best we can do that we "reap what we sow."
The greatest gifts are sometimes the ones we take most for granted.
The memory of waking up on a summer morning to the breeze blowing through the big trees in the yard at home. Or in the winter to the sound of breakfast being cooked and the house being warmed. And always the feeling that there were people downstairs, waiting for me, that loved me. I could climb up on your lap and you would give me a bear hug to start the day. You gave me a the greatest gifts anyone can give a child - love and security. The feeling that home was and is the best place to be. No matter where I've gone or what I've done, I've always wanted to come home and you always made that possible and you still do. Thank you, Daddy. I love you.
Julia Stewart Milton grew up in Montgomery County. Her Daddy is Montgomery County Supervisor Joe Stewart.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB