Even If They Don't Ride Horses Anymore
Keepsakes. Episode 3
It had been a quiet morning for Jacob. Betty Lou had promised to bring a pecan pie for dessert that evening and he and Willie were looking forward to it. Just like the old days, Jacob remembered, and he just had to smile. Speaking of the old days, Jacob also had some business to do in town.
Jacob had given some thought to the passing on of family history to Jake. As he was still so young, it might be more lasting to have something tangible for him to save rather than just spoken words to hopefully store as memories. Today was the day Jacob was going to see if Caleb had an old box laying around in his general store that Jacob could have. Inside it Jacob was going to put things that had meaning to their family and had been special treasures over the years. Then he would be able to take them out one by one and tell Jake about their significance. Hopefully, they would become treasures to Jake, and later those coming after Jake, as well.
Aunt Daisy greeted Jacob with a kiss and a big smile as he stepped out of the street into the general store. The blacktop had not yet become a reality and dust was still everywhere. “You know Aunt Daisy, reckon this place would sure not be the same when the blacktop comes through.”
“Sure it will Jacob, sure it will. It’s always about the folks. That’s what makes a place, not the clothes it puts on.”
“You like it here Aunt Daisy? The place I mean. I know you’re glad you came, meeting Caleb and all. But do you like rural Kansas and all this dust?”
“Jacob, I am so glad you remembered me and asked me to come. I don’t think there is any place I would rather be. The ones I now love are all here. I am very happy and yes, I do like it here!”
“I’m so glad Aunt Daisy! We all love you very much and are so grateful you came to share your life with us. It’s just a little town and nothin’ like the city you’ve known, but we are so grateful you are here.”
“Thank you for your kind words, you sweet young man! Now don’t go looking around, I meant you, ‘cause to me you are a young man! See, it’s all relative, as they say. So, what can I help you with today? If you’re looking for Caleb, he’s in the back working on the next issue of the paper.”
“Well, I’m looking for a box to store some family special things in, a keepsakes box I think you’d call it, to pass on to my grandson Jake. Just an empty ordinary brown box’d do just fine I reckon.”
“Let me see what we have in the back. Hmm, I think we may have just the thing for you.” And as she walked away, Jacob remembered those times in the city when she would make him feel at home with her kindness and her cheerfulness. He was seeing it again today and it made him smile.
As quickly as she had scurried away to find the box, she quickly returned. “Jacob, this is not an ordinary brown box, but I think it would be better and much more precious as it moves from generation to generation.”
Jacob couldn’t believe his eyes. It was a beautiful handcrafted sturdy wooden box, with rural farm scenes painted on it amid a bright blue background. Aunt Daisy added, “I thought it presented your rural Kansas well and would be something your family would treasure along with the things inside it.”
“You are a special lady Aunt Daisy. This is very fine. Thank you for choosing this for us.”
“Glad to help. It came in yesterday as a sample from a carpenter back east looking to get into the Midwest markets. Take it. Caleb and I will be honored that it will go to such good use.”
“Please thank Caleb for me. You both are so kind.”
“Well, we could never repay you and your family for all your kindness toward us. Thank you for everything Jacob. Every day is filled with sunshine for me here and I just want you to know that.”
Jacob smiled and gave Aunt Daisy a hug. Then he walked out of Nelson’s general store into the street, cradling the box as the dust swirled all around, just like it had always done.
Previous Episodes. Even If They Don’t Ride Horses Anymore
Aunt Daisy & Caleb. Episode 1
July 4th, 1900. Episode 2
