Simpler Times

THE WHIPPOORWILL

By Charles D. Williams, M.D., FACR, FAAP (“Pedro”) Over the years many memories have faded but the memories of Grandma, the old home place, and the call of the whippoorwill still remain. These things may be of the past but they still live on in my memory. Grandma seems to be the link to our family’s past and our link with each other. Grandma had gotten old and slow but she said you’re never too old to learn something stupid. She pointed out that the worst thing that could happen to ya was the worst thing that could happen. Grandma was humble and poor but she taught us that being poor was not a handicap. Entertainment at Grandma’s house was cheap ‘cause ever’body entertained themselves. Old fashion fun didn’t cost a dime. Grandpa died leaving Grandma with their seven kids, her pride, a strong back, and a strong mind. Mostly what she ate she raised. She planted, hoed, gathered, and canned her crops. She lined the kitchen walls with her preserves and canned goods. She scrubbed clothes on a wash board, cut dress patterns out of paper and pressed clothes with irons heated on a wood stove. When it was cold enough so the meat wouldn’t spoil, she butchered hogs. She did her shared of lifting, scalding, scraping, and grinding and nothing was throwd away. A supply of lard from hog fat was stored. She saved some of the hog grease to make soap which was mixed with lye and turpentine. The turpentine kept the worms out. During the depression, Grandma didn’t have time to get depressed. She was busy raisin’ her kids. Grandma and her boys, Millard, Dillard, and Willard struggled and worked together and laughed and cried together. They had to make a dollar any way they could when they could. They gave each other support and comfort. Love and tenderness helped most folks through the toughest of times. Difficult times seemed to glue the country folks together. As her family grew and those of her brothers and sisters so did the family reunions. One of the most favorite pastimes was sitting on the porch figuring out how we were all kin. There was always time for sitting on the front porch listening to the whippoorwill. One time Dillard had been sitting on the porch counting cars. He had already counted three and it wudn’t even dark yet. Grandma reminded him that he wudn’t make much money doing that. Dillard studied on it and replied that he wudn’t spending much either. At the end of the day someone pulled up in the yard and asked, “How do you get to Claude Bennett’s store from here?” Grandma replied, “Sometimes I walk and sometimes Dillard takes me in the truck.” On the day of rest, folks dressed up in their Sunday best which was usually the same outfit as the previous Sunday. The community and a higher power were a pillar of strength during hard times. During dark days neighbors, friends, and family were there for comfort and their presence gave a special kind of care when it was most needed. That’s the way Grandma had it figured and I figured she was right. People come and people go and the old home place is no longer standing. Even though Grandma’s gone, her memories still pull my heart toward home and give me comfort and the whippoorwill still calls. Reprinted with author permission from More Simpler Times.

Dr. Williams’ sequel book, More Simpler Times, can be purchased from the Capital Medical Society. All proceeds from the book are donated to the Capital Medical Society Foundation’s We Care Network program. The total sales from his books have raised over $39,000 for the CMS Foundation’s We Care Network.