Random Notes

by Rhonda Westfall

Father's Day

Sometime within the past decade, I put together thoughts on Father's Day - and my own dad, Clemens Kloeckner. My original plan in writing a column this time around was to go back and reuse parts of that original piece, but unfortunately, the newspaper clipping seems to have disappeared.

More than likely because it was an article that I wanted to be sure and keep, I've stashed it away in a "safe" place rather than putting it in the file folder where columns are supposed to go.

So much for organization.

Many changes have taken place on a personal and professional level for me in the interim between that first Father's Day column from about 10 years ago to the present time.

My place of employment is different, and I've tried various other occupations. Two sons have grown up, graduated, gotten married, and a granddaughter has been produced. A stint of being less than gainfully employed created financial complications that are a continued hindrance. In short, it's been an up-and-down ride.

Through those times of good and bad, a constant source of support has been my parents. All the positive qualities of my father which I'm sure are mentioned in that original Father's Day column are even more applicable today.

Both he and my mother, Marcella, have never hesitated to offer their unconditional love. They may not be fully aware of their influence, but they have been nearly perfect role models for the way in which I deal with my own children - and now, little granddaughter, Gwendolyn.

Patterning your own life on the positive example set by others is perhaps the greatest tribute anyone can deliver. If that's true, my life is really an accolade to both of them.
It's quite likely that the decade-old Father's Day column also recounted my childhood memories of my dad. Most of the scenes that flash in my mind when I think back to early childhood involve tagging along with my dad as he went about his farming chores.
Some of these images would be unthinkable in today's safety-conscious society. I can remember quite vividly standing on the narrow back-board of the drill while my dad sowed wheat or oats. I'm not sure that type of planter even exists - but it was the source of hours of fun riding around the field with my dad 40-plus years ago.
A similar vision springs to mind of harvesting corn. At that time, one or two-row 'corn-pickers' were pulled behind the tractor. Whole ears of corn were conveyed up and out of the corn-picker's spout, falling into an flat-bed wagon with sides that was hooked behind the picker.

More often than not, yours truly was riding in that wagon, dodging falling ears of corn and trying rather unsuccessful to construct 'corn caves' that would offer protection from the cold, late autumn winds.

Other childhood memories of time spent with my dad follow a similar vein - being in the barn while he milked the cows in the late afternoon before 'supper'; watching from behind the barn gate while sheep were sheared, or he fed the hogs and little baby piglets; being an absolute nuisance while he and my brother, Kloeckner relatives, and neighbors worked in the hot summer sun 'putting up' hay.

The farm animals are long gone, as is the barn itself - a victim of lightning 11 years ago this August 5.

But the memories of growing up here in this place, with these wonderful parents, will always remain - many, many more good times than bad. These are the thoughts and images that sustain and offer solace as an up-and-down life inches ever forward.
The love and support of parents is remembered best - and appreciated most - on this Father's Day.