Dad had been out milking and was now washing the supper dishes in the kitchen. As I burst in excited with my new camera in my hands I noticed the light on his face from the late evening sun.
He was blind and couldn’t see me point the camera, so I said, “Hey Dad, I’m going to take a picture of you.” He smiled.
I’m glad I did. It’s my favourite photo.
At his funeral service two decades later I set this photo at the front of the room, surrounded by sheaves of wheat.
And finally, now, thirty years after that, I’m realizing how much of me is an extension of him: his odd interest in both science and poetry, his love of nature and the country, and his stubbornness.
What would make me happier and more content than anything else in the world right now would be to drive an old tractor in circles around a fragrant field, pulling a disc or a mower or an old-fashioned rake, the air awaft with freshly cut hay, sea gulls hovering.
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He was blind and couldn’t see me point the camera, so I said, “Hey Dad, I’m going to take a picture of you.” He smiled.
I’m glad I did. It’s my favourite photo.
At his funeral service two decades later I set this photo at the front of the room, surrounded by sheaves of wheat.
And finally, now, thirty years after that, I’m realizing how much of me is an extension of him: his odd interest in both science and poetry, his love of nature and the country, and his stubbornness.
What would make me happier and more content than anything else in the world right now would be to drive an old tractor in circles around a fragrant field, pulling a disc or a mower or an old-fashioned rake, the air awaft with freshly cut hay, sea gulls hovering.
From Facebook: likes...8...Albert Katz, Barbara Green and 6 others
Comments
To read the comments, press Read More.............................................................................................
Meredith Moeckel I also love this photo dear Stan!!! And since I bailed hay on a tractor for an entire summer at age 17, I can totally relate to the smells of freshly cut hay!! (The worst part was getting home after dark & being completely black from the dirt....LONG baths were also a ritual, as I'm sure you can relate!!) :)
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· Reply · 19 June 2016 at 14:02
Stan Burfield Yeah. I remember the little prickles of the hay seeds I guess, getting under my shirt sleeves and pants. But I loved mowing. I would sit on the mower (the old ones with a seat and a mower arm) and Mom would drive the tractor. I loved watching the hay fall down over the mower arm as it was cut. Occasionally a gopher or vole would run out. A flock of sea gulls would circle around waiting for them. I remember one got a gopher, which was nearly as big as it, managed to get it down, except the tail, which was hanging out of its beak. It couldn't even stand it was so heavy. I walked right up to it. All it could do was look up at me.
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· 19 June 2016 at 14:27 · Edited
Meredith Moeckel I had totally forgotten all about gophers till you just reminded me with this rather sad story!
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· 21 June 2016 at 14:37
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Larry Burfield A great picture of a great guy!
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· 19 June 2016 at 15:56
Paula Dawn Lietz What s moving wonderful tribute. Know first had the cattle sight and sounds and smell you speak of.
Love this!!
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· Reply · 23 June 2016 at 21:36
Meredith Moeckel I also love this photo dear Stan!!! And since I bailed hay on a tractor for an entire summer at age 17, I can totally relate to the smells of freshly cut hay!! (The worst part was getting home after dark & being completely black from the dirt....LONG baths were also a ritual, as I'm sure you can relate!!) :)
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· Reply · 19 June 2016 at 14:02
Stan Burfield Yeah. I remember the little prickles of the hay seeds I guess, getting under my shirt sleeves and pants. But I loved mowing. I would sit on the mower (the old ones with a seat and a mower arm) and Mom would drive the tractor. I loved watching the hay fall down over the mower arm as it was cut. Occasionally a gopher or vole would run out. A flock of sea gulls would circle around waiting for them. I remember one got a gopher, which was nearly as big as it, managed to get it down, except the tail, which was hanging out of its beak. It couldn't even stand it was so heavy. I walked right up to it. All it could do was look up at me.
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· Reply ·
1
· 19 June 2016 at 14:27 · Edited
Meredith Moeckel I had totally forgotten all about gophers till you just reminded me with this rather sad story!
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· Reply ·
1
· 21 June 2016 at 14:37
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Larry Burfield A great picture of a great guy!
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· Reply ·
1
· 19 June 2016 at 15:56
Paula Dawn Lietz What s moving wonderful tribute. Know first had the cattle sight and sounds and smell you speak of.
Love this!!
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· Reply · 23 June 2016 at 21:36
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