Jun 12 2006
Joe, Besta, and Jane
Our neighbor was a survivor of the death march of Bataan,
His name was Joe, he was pretty shy.
I hadn’t thought about them in many years.
I was sorting some pictures this afternoon and came across them.
His wife’s name was Jane and she and my grandma Besta were best friends.
Besta immigrated to the USA.
Her marriage certificate was dated 29 JUN 1921.
She taught me to listen and be quiet.
I was always kind of scared of Joe.
I rode his horses for years because Daddy told me they needed work.
I fell in love with one when I was 12.
His name was Spooky, Joe sold him to me
For 5.00. I worked hard for that money, weeding strawberries.
When I bought Spooky from Joe, Spooky was two, he was spooky.
We kind of grew up together. Spooky
Took me to a National 4-H championship,
many years ago.
Trail class.
He was an amazing pony.
He trusted me to keep him safe.
If I said you can do it.. He would.
He was a bay paint pony.
He had the outline of Michigan on his sides.
I have no idea of where he came from.
Joe said his daddy had bought the mare in foal at a slaughter sale.
I was not a normal kid, I rode calves, horses anything I could jump on.
I rode bulls at home for fun; I roped cows and calves because they were there.
In High School, I was the first girl Sec. of FFA.
Bill Bartow was our Advisor.
He Believed in me.
I chaired the Agforum FFA to a state championship in 1974
Yes girls were not popular then. It was a male alliance the FFA.
I was so damn good they had to let me chair the team.
We were in Kansas City in 1974.
I found the coins from Kansas when The Queen Mother died.
I found a letter from Joe to my Daddy from 1969 saying I was
The best horseman he had ever known.
This afternoon.
Joe. God Bless You.
I cannot ever remember Joe addressing me directly.
I gathered cows for him on open range for years.
He never said a word, just worked the gates, and fed me coffee.
His wife sewed the gown that I wore for the National FFA Finals.
It was Navy blue velvet.
Mrs. Jane and Besta sewed for days,
They braided my hair when I left. It was The first gown I had ever worn.
It was the first time I can remember being away from home.
My parents actually drove thousands of miles to Kansas City Kansas to
Support me and my team.
I am sorry Joe for all you suffered as an American Hero
I loved Mrs. Jane.
She died of cancer when I was 18.
I was honored to be a pall bearer.
She was a lovely lady.
She was married to an American Hero.
God gives Grace, and pours out his Mercy in the most unexpected places.
