On March 4, 1900, Richard Isaac Archer was born in Bosque County, Texas. Forty-five 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 as 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, Bosque River
as I spin tales of far-away places with strange sounding names and blogs about West Texas times
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.
Love your daughter,
Carol Mae
