Now Lars Banks has a farm, sorry place it were, too, just th'other side a town. Scarce a jackrabbit could make a livin' there, but people done it. Miz Banks, that's Eula Banks, was no doubt the kindest Christian lady whut ever walk God's green earth, Miz Banks had that whole gospel crew over to her house, bedded 'em down, fed 'em three squares a day, she did. Eula grow up in Missoura, you know, lived over to Laquey. Her ma and pa come on over here with her when she was prolly twelve, thirteen. Ol' Lars, he 'lowed as how he had need to be off to the mountains, up above Cotopaxi, or somewheres like that, on account it was the openin' a deer season. He'd a had a good reason to be scarce around Haswell during these doin's no matter the time a year. Leastways, I think so.
So one mornin' at the breakfast table, Min an' your Ma, Esther and Max Cubbins 'round the table and Miz Banks bustlin' 'round, pilin' on the hotcakes and keepin' the eggs and bacon comin', and Max, he's the preacher, ya know, up and says, "Esther 'n me got to get on down the road now. We been here long's we kin stay. The Lord has released me from this charge."
"Well, whut about the meetin'?" Miz Banks says.
"I guess it would be over," says the preacher, "less'n these fine young ladies here would stay and keer on."
"Well," says Min, "As for me, I've had quite enough of this desolate place, and we have striv mightily to bring God to these people, and I think the Lord will excuse me to go on back home now."
And your Mama speak up and say, "The Lord has laid this place heavy on my heart, and I think there is yet someone here who needs to get saved. I will stay so long as the Lord places a message on my tongue."
And that is how your Mama come to be a preacher.
©
2013 David W. Lacy
The true story on which this fictional account is based was published here two years ago.
The true story on which this fictional account is based was published here two years ago.
6 comments:
Now I like this mama!
Mama was a gal with gumption.
Truth to tell - I like the true story better - went back to read it and left the page with a huge smile.
Shelly, that lady was very special to me!
Chuck, yes, she was. And that gumption saw her through many difficulties, including the rearing of a certain male child.
Grace, in truth, so do I. I was blessed to have such parents.
I knew a lady named Eula- certainly a name you don't hear much any more. And we know how I feel about women with gumption. 'Nuf said.
Sharkey, I knew Eula, and I also knew a girl named Beulah. I believe I recall that you approve of women who have gumption.
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