The Depression gave us many sad stories.
But there are also stories of service and sacrifice that are
truly inspiring . . .
My Grampa Stringam was a rancher.
He also served as an MLA in the provincial legislature.
It kept him busy.
And gave him a much broader scope in which to help those in
need.
One morning, he announced to Grandma that he was heading
over to the neighbours.
When Grandma asked why, he told her that the neighbour had a
horse to sell.
“Oh,” she said. “I didn’t know we needed another horse.”
Her response? A cryptic, “We don’t.”
Grampa disappeared, returning some time later. Without the
horse.
When Grandma asked him if his business had been concluded satisfactorily,
he nodded and smiled.
Fixing him with her best frown, she asked him what was going
on.
His smiled widened. “I bought the neighbour’s horse.”
“But why? When you admitted that we didn’t need another.”
“Well, his wife needs medical help and he needs the money to
pay for it.”
Enough said.
There is a codicil . . .
Grampa paid the man for the horse.
A fair sum for the times.
The man’s wife got the medical help she needed.
And all was well.
But there is one other point to this story.
An important one.
Grampa never did go and get the horse he had paid for.
Grandma was right.
He didn’t need another horse.
Salt of the earth people, your family is. Salt of the earth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! I'm pretty proud of them . . .
DeleteWhat a kind, uplifting thing to do. You must be so happy to have had him for an ancestor.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit sad that I only have one memory of him. My Dad adored him.
DeleteThose neighbours would not soon forget such kindness.
ReplyDeleteI love this story. And every time they looked at that horse . . .
DeleteThat is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, River. I love this story . . .
DeleteAaww, that's lovely. What a beautiful gesture from your Grampa.
ReplyDeleteHe was, by all accounts a very good man. Wish I'd known him longer . . .
DeleteYou have the most amazing family. Wish I could have met your grandpa!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lana! I so wish I'd had more time with Grampa!
DeleteWhat a sweet story Diane. Looking after someone just because they needed a hand. You don't see enough of that today.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, Rena. I guess we just have to do what you do every day. Pass it forward!
DeleteWhat a lovely example of doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return. Your Grandpa was a good man!
ReplyDeleteHe was! I so wish I could have known him longer!
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