Turkey Salt and Pepper Shakers

 

I pulled out my dad's inheritance today.  A Turkey Salt and Pepper shaker set that he bought for his mother in 1956 while serving in the Southern States mission.  It's the only thing he got from his mother's estate when she passed away.   

Dad was part of a his, hers and ours family with 13 children.  Dad was in the ours-- the tail end family - and was the middle and oldest son of the final 5.   He had 2 older 1/2 sisters from his mom Bertha, and 6 older half siblings from his dad, Truman.   Dad was born when his dad, Trum was 58 years old. And Trum died when my dad was only 16 years old.  Dad then became "in charge" of the farm and the milking of 20 cows morning and night.   

Grandpa Trum used to say, " If I had the choice between the dairy cows and the Utah State Prison, I would probably choose the prison because you would have more freedom."    My dad liked milking cows about this much as well.  He did his best to get off the farm and never go back.  Dad was always so grateful to his little brother Jay T, for buying him out, loving farming and wanting to be there along with his wife Myrna. 

When Grandma Bertha died in 1967 the estate was finally settled.  And according to dad, it was mostly unfair, and ugly. He was very disappointed in his older brothers and sisters.   So just to be done with it, dad took the Turkey salt and pepper shakers and said that's all he wanted and left.  

Every Thanksgiving dad would pull out the turkeys and share parts of this story and remind us that it's all just things and stuff.  That the real important parts of this world are relationships with each other and with God.   And tell us that when he passes and we have to settle his estate we will do it with love and compassion....and so we did.

I'm grateful for my dad and his turkeys.