Wednesday, December 19, 2007

George Franklin Cook



Three years ago today a whole families life changed forever. This is the 3rd anniversary of our Daddy's death. We knew it would be different, we just never knew how different. Daddy was born
September 26th 1923 to December 19 2004. Daddy was the oldest of 3 boys, his Mom died when the youngest was less than a year old. Daddy was around 6 at the time. Not having a Mom put a lot of responsibility on him at a young age. I'm afraid at this time Daddy learned a lot that he shouldn't have known. But times were hard and you can't drag 3 kids (1 a toddler,1 a baby) around when you're trying to work and just trying to get by.
So Grampa had 3 boys tagging along when he was making moonshine just to make ends meet. The boys also learned to fish and trap and to eat whatever they caught. The boys also learned to drink at an early age...not so good. Grampa also married a couple of times after that more trying to find someone to help raise the boys than for love I think. Growing up we had extra grandparents on both sides...we thought it was normal.
Daddy was a trouble maker...he would teach us something and here would come Mom and un-teach us...sometimes with a peach tree switch or a hedge switch. We learned at an early age that Mom did NOT need to know everything.LOL.
Growing up was a barrel of laughs with Daddy. He taught me to hunt and fish,how to work on cars,how a cigar tastes and how vodka and whiskey tasted too.I forgot he also let me chew tobacco......... This did not go over well with Mom at all. I quit right then too!!! This is the kind of
things that Daddy would do.
Daddy taught me how to change spark-plugs and the oil in the car, how to change and fix a flat tire. I liked it so much I went back to school and got my GED, then went on to take automotive.
Growing up we never had much, we got what we had by working and not taking welfare. We learned to like hard work from Mom and Dad. We were taught cooking and house-work and to do laundry in a wringer washer by Mom. We pumped our water for laundry and drinking and for bathes.So yes it was hard, especially in the winter.Wood had to be cut, split and brought in everyday. Fires had to be kept going all night , and some mornings the water would have ice on it in the buckets and the wash pan. We had an outdoor toilet that would make you do your business in a hurry in the winter, and stink you out and burn you up in the summer.
In Daddy's middle years he started going to church with Mom and the younger girls. The girls started first, Mom followed and Dad followed her. Dad had his own ideas about the Bible and lived his own way. But he believed in God, I'm happy to believe he's in Heaven. I think Daddy decided to go first so he'd be waiting for Mom when she followed him 4 months later. That's one time Dad lead and Mom followed LOL. Dad always thought he was THE MAN of the house. But we knew who had the rod. She wasn't afraid to use it either.She wasn't above keeping him in line at times either.
Here's a toast and a prayer to our Dad: We had our good times and our bad, we grew as a family and grew up. We loved, fought, cried, laughed, and sang together on Sundays at home with you both. We miss ya'll just as much today as we did 3 years ago. I pray that someday we'll all join together again around the big eating table in the sky. I know we'll be joined by all our loved ones who have gone before us, I can hardly wait!!! I love you Daddy, I miss you. Please tell Mom and the grandma's and grandpa's we miss them too!!!
We'll be seeing you soon, save a place for us, and don't eat all the cake!!!.
I Love you Daddy :) Donna

13 comments:

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That was quite a story about your daddy. I know you miss him. I miss mine too. He died in his sleep in 2001.
Hope you are feeling better to with those shingles!

Perri said...

donna, what a beautiful post about your dad. It was obvious you guys had a special relationship.

As I watch my own dad grow older, it makes me so sad. I guess I thought he would always be that guy I loved to play with.

I'm so glad you have the assurance of an eternal life with him.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Good job, Sister. I've thought about Daddy all day long, really him and Mama both. I still miss them so much. I think about how they would have eat Miss Emmy up with a spoon.

Hope you're feeling better. Miss Emmy shared her tummy bug with me and I was SICK for several days. I'm feeling better today, praise the Lord!

I love y'all, Sister. Y'all have a happy, joyous and blessed Christmas. Hope to see y'all at Cecil's Christmas party Saturday night...

Love you,

Joe

Mountain Mama said...

This is a beautiful tribute to your daddy. He would be so proud.
Some of your memories are like my own, and your explanation of the outhouse sure is correct!
I hope you have a lovely Christmas.
God bless you and yours.

Anita said...

Wonderful post!

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Donna,
This is such a beatiful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. It just brought tears to my eyes. I know you and your Sister's miss him and you Mother as well. But they are both in Heaven with Jesus Celebrating and looking down on yall. I loved what you said about your Dad following your Mom. LOL. Kind of reminds me of me. Hubby tells me that he wears the pants in the house but I'm the one who tells him which pants to wear. LOL. When you have time, stop by. I have another Award for you on today's post. I hope you are feeling better and getting over the shingles. It is raining outside this morning. Thunder woke me up today. Well, take care my friend and have a great Thursday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Greeneyes said...

What a great tribute , I loved the story and can almost imagine what he was like from your words . I bet he'd get a chuckle out of it,I am sorry for the loss of your parents but it is a comfort they are together in heaven, and to go 4 months apart , wow , Broken hearts!?!?!?!
I also hope your feeling better , you have been having a rough go of it ! I though Diane and Little emmy were in bad shape !Hope you get better soon , I laughed when you said you would rather eat !!haha my kinda girl ,TEEHHee.

Have a wonderful Christmas and take care of yourself .


Greeneyes

Brenda said...

Just popped over from Karen's blog to say Howdy to a fellow Arkansan. Wonderful post!

Brenda said...

P.S. So sorry about the shingles. I've had them before and they're SO miserable. God bless!

Aunt Jenny said...

I loved reading your tribute to your daddy..I miss mine too, he died about 3 and 1/2 years ago..it does change everything to lose your daddy no matter how old you are, dosn't it??
Have a great weekend!!!

Granny said...

What a lovely tribute to your dad.

Have a wonderful Christmas, Donna.

Cecil said...

Hey Sister... Great post about Daddy... I am so glad you did this in memory of him.. and even Mom.. I miss them most right now... at Christmas. Remember December 23rd? The day of his funeral... it was icy and freezing and scary on the roads... Remember the table at Christmas and Thanksgiving?!? My gosh, we had the food!! And the love... I really missed seeing you Saturday night... I wish you could have been here.. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.. make some memories... And thank you for telling me that my Grandpa made moonshine... that's one I had forgotten about! LOL ... I know we don't get to see each other much but I want you to know that I love you and I know you have been through a lot in your life and I am glad you are ok now... you are one of the strongest people I have ever seen.. and one of the most kind-hearted.. I will love you.. always and forever... your "baby" sister... I will sign with the nick-name Daddy gave me.. Cecil

kansasrose said...

Oh Donna...Choked up here...what a loving tribute to your daddy. He must have been a wonderful father because your words are so full of love for him. What a gift he gave you all...God Bless him. Love you hon, Jen