Checkers...

I just went into Kris's house. The kids had been playing games but now they were watching TV...I told Mike to grab the checker board and come pay checkers with me.


 My Daddy played checkers and card games with us  a lot...I remember the winter of 1961-62..I was in second grade. It was one of the worst times of  my life....I had came home from school and daddy was sick...Clayton drove the bus and dropped us 3 girls off ta the house and then he drove on down to drop of Sharon and Jearl dean.. When we 3 girls walked into the house I will never forget seeing Daddy sitting on the floor. He was propped up against a red arm chair and the coushin was out of the seat and propped against the legs of the chair. He was crying and  slinging snot in the ash pan beside him. I remember it was half full of mucus and this was the first time I had seen Daddy cry. He could not talk and Mama was beside herself. Daddy was having a nervous break down. Although I did not know it at the time and I am not sure any one else did either.I do not remember anything until Clayton came back with the little school  van  bus. Mama told Clayton to Patsy...She lived about 3 miles away...Daddy said  no get Richard.  Daddy was VERY instant on  getting Richard. He lived further in town. Clayton went to get Richard but stopped to  tell Patsy and send her out.Patsy came quick of course but Dad was instant on Richard taking him to the VA hospital....Richard came and took him. I do not remember is Mom went along also. I do remember for the first time in my whole life being scared.  We spent that night alone without Daddy in tha home.


From there I remember having to go to school so  I imagine this happened in Jan. I assume 1962... We did not have a phone and Mama would go to Leathers to speak to Dad once in awhile..


I remember once Richard came and took Mama, Fleta, and Betty to see Daddy in the VA hospital....I did not get to go.  It was  at night..Clayton stayed home and took care of me and little Debby while they went to see Daddy..I do remember I had a fit! Cayton did everything he could to occupy me. He found  a piece of card board and a rouler and drew a checker board. I remember I colored the squares. I remember the black squares I clored with a pencil... I remember he had a quarter and he drew circle shapes around the quarter and I cut them out and colored them. I also remembered it took a lot to keep me happy doing this. He worked really hard keeping me happy. He was such a good brother. I was still awake whem Mom got home. I remember her taking yer coat off in the kitchen.  She came in through the front door.Clayton and I were still sitting at the table. I'll bet he did not have a clue 56 years later I would still remember how Vividly I remember this. I know Fleta has some memory of this. I wish she would tell it...No matter how sad.


Daddy came home on ground hogs day...he held my hand and we walked to the new barn and back and talked about the ground hog seeing his shadow. I miss my Dad, and I have for several years...But I miss my brother too. I think I miss him as much as I miss Daddy. That does not seem possible. 


I have no regreats with my Daddy...Not a one...But with Clayton there are many things I wish I had talked with him about. I  guess he knows. God he was a good brother...