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LESSONS ON BEING A MAN the importance of humor

By Art Browner By Eileen Clark

At age eleven, I went to live with my My father-in-law, Josiah Clark, came
grandparents, Martin and Alberta Bells from simple beginnings. He worked
in Brookston, Texas. My grandfather had hard, raised five children with his wife,
no formal education yet he was one of the Evelyn, and encouraged them all to
smartest men I have ever known. I can make their place in the world. He was a
hear him now as I heard him then, “You great provider and shared his wealth of
should never have to be loud in order to knowledge with us all.
be heard,” and “Being a man has nothing
to do with who is the strongest, or who When I entered the Clark Clan in the
can talk the longest. Being a man has to ’70s, Joe accepted me with open arms,
do with being willing to step up to your always smiling and funny. The first time
responsibilities in life.” I met him, when my husband Dick and I
were dating, Joe leaned a large wooden
They had rules for everything and one letter “I” against the garage door to welcome me, (Eileen). I would forever
of the rules was that you should follow be known as “Leener” after that.
the rules in order to maintain a peaceful
environment within the home. That was Joe began writing postcards and letters to our kids when they were in first
my introduction to discipline and the grade. He started with a couple of simple sentences at first, but usually
understanding that rules govern life and threw in an unfamiliar word, which they had to look up to discover the
are the foundation of family. secret, and frequently funny, meaning.

My grandparents had rules pertaining Once he wrote that I “farded” while driving. The kids thought this was
to all aspects of my life. I found myself hilarious until they learned that it meant “to apply makeup.”
saying and setting the same ground rules
with my children as my grandparents Over the years we saved those postcards and letters that Joe sent. Upon
had done with me. That was the reason graduation day at the university I gave each of our children a three-ring
I became involved in all phases of their binder with all of Grandpa’s letters enclosed. They still cherish those missives,
after school activities to ensure that our especially now since he has passed.
children understood that there is nothing
more important than family. Joe was an amazing man who offered many lessons over the years…most
notably, unconditional love and a great sense of humor. We miss him!

My Grandmother’s Purse J U N E 2 0 1 5 SUNRAYS | 69

By Meg Miller

Grandmothers are special, and mine was exceptional.

After I witnessed my father being shot to death when I was 3 years
old, it was decided that I would live with my grandmother.

During those next six formative years that we spent together, I was
carefully taught everything there was to know.

Manners were extremely important, and respecting others’ property
was imperative. I had been warned about ladies’ purses. They could be
admired from a distance, but never touched, and definitely not opened.

One day I spied my grandmother’s purse in her bedroom. Being a most
inquisitive child, I felt an overpowering urge to inspect its contents.
Tiptoeing over to the purse, I tenderly caressed it and gently opened
it! The investigation commenced.

What fun I had, taking out item by item, and lining the contents across
the bed. Suddenly, I was startled to feel something furry and fuzzy,
with a little toenail on it! (I was afraid of animals because my uncle’s
rabbit had bitten me recently.) When a good luck keychain complete
with rabbit’s foot appeared, I was panic stricken!

Looking up, I saw grandmother walking through the door! I was so
frightened that I rushed into her arms. That wise lady hugged me and
brushed away my tears. We had a cozy chat, and to this day I have
never opened anyone’s purse again.

That was a great lesson learned.

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