Little Mule

In 1978 Mom and Dad had Marvin and I write down the things we would want when either of them died. I was surprised because I think my brother and I are so different and yet we both choose the same things. We have no problems dealing with things like that and easily made the decision of who got what.

There was one thing that reminded both of us of Dad. It was a strange thing for each of to have noticed this among all of Dad's things. From the time we were little this item was in Dad's garage way up high on a shelf in a dark corner. It was a hood ornament...a little mule with eyes that used to light up.

After Dad passed I knew that Marvin was to get the little mule hood ornament. I cleaned it all up, taking off years of dirt and grease, for my brother. I took pictures of it to place in my memory book. And then as I cleaned the attic out I even found a photo of my dad with his old truck with Little Mule on it! I made a copy of that photo and placed it in frame to present with Little Mule to my brother. I had the surprise all set up for him, clean mule and framed photo to be put in a place of honor in Marvin's home.

Marvin was at Mom's when I got there and I expected him to tell me thank you for finding the photo and cleaning up the little mule. But to my surprise he pulled the little mule from his pocket and put it in my hands. He said it was mine. I did not want to take what was his. But he explained that it had always been mine. I did not believe him until he pulled the paper out of his pocket from 1978 when it had all been decided.

I had been planning a surprise for my brother and instead I was surprised. Now Little Mule is in a place of honor in my home and I am happy about that.

As we cleaned up the house after Dad was gone there were a few things that I placed in a bag to bring home.

These items remind me of my dad.

His date planner, index card and mechanical pencil..he always had those things in his shirt pocket.

A pocket knife.

Little screw drivers.

A very small clamp...I just thought that was neat.

He kept a metal file beside his chair.

He had bowls of keys.

There were lots of marbles....this one felt cool in my hand.

In the photo is a bullet casing....that is from the 21 gun salute at his funeral. That was a perfect ending to honor my dad's life.

The flag was at half mast next door at my uncles house

 in honor of the oldest brother.