The Dear Old Man

 When my father died I was 7 years old , and not prepared to lose a father. I am not sure if one ever gets prepared to face death , but here I was looking it right in the eye. My mother had never worked outside the home , or finished high school , and the problems that she was facing to her probably seemed insurmountable. In so many ways I thought it felt like losing both parent's for some time. I was use to a clean home, with home cooked meals these seem to have vanished along with my father.  I was the youngest of five, and wasn't sure how I could help, but my imagination ran wild with thoughts of how I could help supplement our income. I had heard the conversations around the house ,it was going to be 3 months before my mom could  draw, on my dad's social security , and money wasn't tight , it was almost non existing ! On days that I got lucky, I would find the big glass milk jugs they went for 25 cents upon return of course, there were other kids just like me out there scouring the neighborhood . Not all of the kids had a neighbor like mine though, His name was Mr. Roush , and he had rabbit dogs that he kept in his backyard. I would sneak over there being as quiet as I could whispering their names trying so hard to keep them from barking. I would select the dog of the day so to speak and off I would go with it. I would go and hide with this dog  sometimes for a hour or so , then I would march it back to the front door. Ringing the bell I would announce to Mr. Roush well your dog got loose again , but I found him for you. I always had a nice reward waiting there for me . Years passed and my mother passed away . We were at the funeral home ,for the viewing when I looked up and spotted dear old Mr. Roush. I told my husband I have to go and talk with him . I walked up to him holding out my hand I thanked him for coming and  then on the spur of the moment I said, Mr. Roush, I have to tell you something do you remember all those time your dogs would get loose when I was little. His eyes met mine  with a twinkle and he said yes . I said Mr. Roush I have to confess I was letting those dogs loose! , then he said with a smile honey I knew that my wife and I would stand there at the kitchen window and watch you, but them old dogs needed exercise and with that he gave me a hug it felt like one of the biggest hugs I ever had in my life. I am 61 years old, but I still remember that, dear old man, and that great big hug !!