NOTE: Thanks for your patience as I’ve taken a mini-sabbatical these last few months.
Hat tip to Tim Goerdel for today’s. When he first told me the story - his story, I knew it would find its way into my collection somehow at some time. Here is my fictional version of what happened more than 60 years ago. Happy Birthday, Tim!
Like most native Texans, Jack Straub couldn’t praise the State of Texas enough. And don’t you dare diss the land he loved! Them’s fightin’ words.
When the newlywed Straubs moved out of State for work, Jack took plenty of memorabilia with him to display and promote his great State. The Straubs were now 1600 miles from home and keeping their heads above water financially, so traveling back and forth more than once a year was not a good option.
When Jenna found out she was pregnant only three months into the marriage, the couple was elated. Of course they couldn’t afford a child this early in their marriage, but who could? They had plans of raising six or seven children, so why not start now? Jack, though, was intent on raising his kids in Texas, come hell or high water, but he was still stuck in Boise for the next two years. Nice town, but it wasn’t a Texas town, and it wasn’t Texas.
A week before the baby was born, Jack ripped into a package he had received from his cousin. At Jack’s request, the cousin sent a shoebox-sized package to Jack and wasn’t allowed to question it or tell anyone about it. The box weighed three pounds. Jack opened the box and smiled at its glorious contents.
After Little Jack was born, and both mom and child were brought home from the hospital, Jack invited the only family he had in Idaho, namely coworkers and fellow church parishioners. It was a baby shower of sorts and Jack was hosting his friends with a Texas-style barbeque. Of course, Little Jack would be the center of attention at the Straub household, but Big Jack had a surprise to be revealed at the right time.
A total of nine people were present on the day Big Jack opened the shoe box.
Inside the box was plain, ordinary dirt – Texas dirt.
Big Jack had a huge smile on his face as he lifted up Little Jack, kissed him, and placed his feet on Texas soil as his first footsteps in this world.
The Straubs would have it no other way.
Delightful story, David. And welcome back! We look forward to more 3-minute reads to set the tone for the day.
My brother,
You know how much I loved this one! In 1983, we were expecting Andrea, our daughter. I had a job in Beaver, OK. I was explaining to my co-workers, dedicated Okies, that we would need to drive to Perryton, TX to have the baby. That way she would have "her papers"! My co-workers really didn't appreciate that humor! Fortunately we were able to transfer back to Levelland, TX and Andrea is a legit Texan. I never thought about bringing in some dirt. Great story!
Tim