FAMILY =(F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU, author unknown. Mountain Wings.
My father was walking with a friend on the sidewalk in Athens, Pa. when he saw a girl walking with a friend on the other side of the street. He asked his friend who was that girl. “Well, that is Doris Brown. Would you like to meet her?” he replied. “Meet her! I’d like to marry her”, answered Bob Lawrence and he did. Their lives were beautiful together with three girls, friends, family, church and love of Life.
I remember how he taught me to love the water. I learned the healthful benefits of movement in the water, including swimming that saved my little sister from drowning. There was the fun of water sports on the water such as boating, including canoeing, sailing, water-skiing and power boats. He spoke of his enjoyment at hearing the splash as swimming began on vacation. He loved the purity of Skaneatelas Lake water.
One lesson in responsibility I learned when he taught me to shoot the flame out of a candle as it bobbed on the waves of the Lake. When I’d mastered it he said it was time to put the gun away. This came into focus later when I was in charge of a teen-age canoe trip. A storm came up on Lake Winnipesaukee. Sensing it was dangerous, I lead the canoers to shore and shelter in a small building, then called the camp for help.
The lessons he taught nurtured light in me and for others and I thank him for it.
