My father was a quiet man, as men born then often were, the world so different then. Orphaned at 10, scarcely educated, lived through WWI and the Great US Depression, and fought at Pearl Harbor. These things all left scars.
When the boys came home from war he tried to live a normal life. Married at 40 and father at 42, life moved on. Still horrid memories followed. He stored canned goods in the cellar, woke frequently with bad nightmares, and drank when no one was looking.
I hold one treasured childhood memory of the two of us. At about age four, I sat on his knee as he sang. He wasn’t a singing man. Don’t think I ever heard him sing again. I recall the curves of his face as he smiled a big toothy grin. As I bounced to his sour tune, my heart was made sweet. Looking in his dark brown eyes I heard him say, “But the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.” For those tender moments the scars of sorrow had melted away.
Yellow is the rose…
forward to the Promised Land;
where songs will blossom.
“The Yellow Rose of Texas” was made popular by Mitch Miller in 1955. The US song dates back to the states Civil War times. It’s lyrics have changed, as history passes. It topped the music charts from February to October back in 1955. There’s another rose dear to me. “For it we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” I Thessalonians 4:14
Happy Easter
Patti Wolf 
Lovely memory. I remember my grandfather was also a very quiet man. As a little girl, I never understood why, though I think he fought in the war as well. He died when I was a young girl so I didn’t have the opportunity to know him better. But I remember his quiet ways.
LikeLike
A beautiful share.
LikeLike
So wonderful to attach such fond memories with an old song! This was a fun one. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing a very personal and beautiful moment, and your beautiful thoughts.
LikeLike
Very nice remembrance of your father singing. Happy Easter!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt memory. I can remember my dad singing “Tiny Bubbles” to me when I was maybe 5 years old. Nobody else ever sang to me, so it was a special thing. It made me think of all the other special times we shared. I had to go listen to “Tiny Bubbles” just now. Love “The Yellow Rose of Texas”.
LikeLike
I appreciate the personal share of your father, and that special moment of bonding between the two of you ~
LikeLike
This song also reminded me of my father and grandfather – and then, that rose….amen!
LikeLike
Heartwarming stuff….made me go awwwwwww.
LikeLike
I’m from Texas, so I’ve heard this song a lot. My father-in-law sings it to me every time he sees me. 🙂
The last paragraph warmed my heart.
LikeLike
That is such an evocative story, and one that my of us can relate to. I’m glad you were able to savor a few. Wold War one and the great depression did not yield many happy memories. God Bless You and thanks for the hope of resurrection
LikeLike
Oh…..thank you so much for posting for this prompt. This is a beautiful habit — with a rich memory shared. I especially loved these words: “My father was a quiet man, as men born then often were…” as I absolutely stopped reading for a moment and thought of my father — of this same vintage. This is such a true true statement.
Happy Easter! BEAUTIFUL post! 🙂
LikeLike