On March 4, 1900, Richard Isaac Archer was born in Bosque County, Texas. Forty-four years and five days later, his last daughter, Carol Mae, would be born in Lamesa, Texas. Today, if he had lived, he would be 123 years old. I am still here.
As a child in West Texas, I heard grown-ups saying, “Well, if he had lived, he’d be____years old today.” Its a way of remembering them, taking them out of those places in our hearts, dusting them off, and setting them up in front of us – like faded photographs. So with this photo of my Dad in front of me, I’d like to write him a thank you note.
Daddy Dearest:
In my mind’s eye, I hold your image plunking on your black, battered mandolin
as the smooth keys of our ancient, ornate family piano beneath my fingers settle a peace in my soul
Deep in my heart’s hearing is your voice spinning word pictures of a Bosque County boyhood… of your pony, Froggy,…of mountain lions screaming like a woman along the banks of the slow-moving Brazos River
as I spin tales of far-away places with strange sounding names and blogs about West Texas times
Your mid-century, Rio Grande Spanish seeded my life-long love of language linking me to those far-away peoples.
Rooted in my dreams is your endless interest in human lives – near and far
blooming in my nearest neighbor and unknown friend coming round the bend
for passing on to me a love of musing
for these and so much more, thank you, Father dear.
Love
Carol Mae
