Saturday, June 24, 2023

D.L. Gardner: A Prodigal Son's Father

It’s funny how we remember things from childhood. It’s sobering when we realize a lot of those memories are childish. It’s downright humbling to rethink those memories from a father’s point of view. It never dawned on me that I was a prodigal son or how much my father really loved me.

My father loved me, but I never truly understood how much he loved me until this year when I found the little pocket-sized New Testament he gave me 50 years ago in 1973. Beneath his signature on the presentation page he wrote three Scripture references. The last one was Luke 15:11-24. 

In hindsight my dad was way ahead of me! Duh! We camped and fished in the summers at Pickwick Lake. It was always fun. He taught me how to fly fish, operate a 14-foot Jon boat, and how to clean fish when we were lucky enough to bring a bunch home. 

One Friday afternoon, dad came home and we loaded up the car and boat for our overnight trip to Pickwick. I had played a little league baseball game earlier, and Dad had told me to take off my uniform and change clothes. I didn’t. I wanted to show off my Crackers uniform. When we were ready to leave, dad reminded me to change clothes, but I didn’t want to. So, dad said we weren’t going camping and fishing. That was one of the first lessons I remember him teaching me.

Another time our family was eating out and I carelessly overturned my drink. Everybody scrambled to wipe up the ice and drink. My dad told me to be more careful, and I said it wasn’t my fault. Then he explained to me that it certainly was my fault and I should be more careful. 

My dad spoiled me my whole life. He loved to shoot skeet and trap, and I would tag along with him on trips to watch him shoot. He was very good! And, he tried to teach me how to shoot, but we soon realized that wasn’t going to happen. Seems like every time he tried to coach me, I’d tear up. A friend of his stepped in to show me how to lead the targets and hit skeet.

When I was 16 dad bought a used Chrysler Valiant for me. I worked cutting grass at the Country Club with a couple of other guys and was glad to have my own transportation. Few teens had their own cars in those days. I drove the fire out of that car and wrecked it after a few months, killing my best friend. It was the worst day of my life and still haunts me today. Dad didn’t get onto me like I feared he would.

Daddy died 40 years ago before I realized how much he loved me. When the prodigal son returned home his father taught him one more lesson. “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Thanks dad!

My dad modeled our heavenly Father as well as he could, and I’m grateful for him. I’m not perfect in any way. But, I hope our sons have learned a little about love and compassion from me too.

 Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poignant and moving prose.

Anonymous said...

Thanks. A lot of wisdom in there.

Anonymous said...

You're the Prodigal Gadfly.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.