It has struck me this week as we grieve the passing of Gene’s ninety-five year old dad, how we spend a life time building our own personal empires; collecting, saving, fixing, buying, preserving, working, and with one breathe, life stops and none of it matters any more. With the stroke of a pen, an executer will disperse the hard-earned cash, a much-loved farm handed-down from previous generations is development opportunity and personal treasures become “bargains” to fill other people’s homes.
Even though it has only been a few days since dad Hertzler passed away the process of disposing of his 95 plus years of collecting has begun. The things that consumed his day and made him tired don’t matter any more. His tools lie unused, food in the fridge is thrown away, and his equipment is parked where he last used it. Family members will treasure family heirlooms that have special meaning, junk will be tossed and the little farm in the middle of the city will be no more.
I wonder who will read the books he treasured, stretch out in his lazy boy chair, drink from his chipped, mismatched coffee mugs, sleep on his wedding bed, or sit at the old well-worn desk. I wonder who will appreciate the story behind the creaky rocking chair, the worn, stained quilt, cracked platter, or lace tablecloth? The favorite pillow, blanket, pen, shirt, chair or rug is now ordinary. I mull over how much is out-dated, worn, and old. A century of memories and stories will only be treasured by the few who remember.
King Solomon mulled over this ….. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away and another generation comes…” (Ecclesiastes 1:2b-4a)
Dad was thrifty, honest and hard-working. He was a home-body, and only once took his family on a trip to Florida. He was a small, wiry man but he had a strong, spunky spirit. In the midst of all his living, Dad cultivated a strong faith that was tested and tried. He wrote notebooks full of his spiritual ponderings, and “preached” to everyone who would listen; “repent and be saved.” He cherished the hymns of old and often sung them from memory. His Bible is worn and tattered from use. His ministry was mostly out of the spotlight. Through the years his shop became a haven for a men’s Bible study and he cherished meeting weekly with several men at a local restaurant for coffee and fellowship. In his younger years he picked up neighborhood children and took them to church. Those who knew dad received a spiritual treasure. The most valuable things in life can not be bought or sold.
(Sign hanging in the shop)
Dad had his own unique set of challenges in life and some were very painful and difficult but he ran the race, he fought the fight and his dying words were “I am at peace.”
On Sunday there was a message on our answering machine when we got home from church that dad was being” called home”. We immediately headed to Denbigh. He had been in the hospital a week and his lungs were filling with fluid. Time was running out. On the drive down we didn’t know if he would hold on until we got there. Your mind remembers many things as you process the events taking place. Dad’s mind was clear and we had a precious two hours with him before heading home. Talking was very difficult and labored for him but he had some things to say. Once I realized he was trying to sing “Amazing Grace”. We sat by his bed, gently massaging his face and hands and quietly sharing our last moments together on earth. I softly sang numerous beloved old hymns to him. He was looking forward to seeing Jesus and numerous family members. We assured him that we would see him later in heaven. It is so hard to say your last goodbye, give your last hug and walk out of the room, knowing this is it. There are no more words to be spoken and the last “I love yous” have been said. We were so grateful that God in His mercy granted us this time together.
Thank-you dad, rest in peace. We love you.
Q. Said:
on May 16, 2014 at 12:42 am
“…the little farm in the middle of the city will be no more.” My mama’s birthplace will be gone, as well. It feels like the end of an era. Thanks for this little story of the very end of Uncle Ollie’s life. I’m so very sorry I can’t make it to the funeral!
Beth Stoddard (@beth_stoddard5) Said:
on May 16, 2014 at 10:36 pm
What a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing this heart-felt post!
Audrey Said:
on May 17, 2014 at 9:42 am
thank you for share,wonderful memories,GodBless you an yours!such a wonderful remerance of aman
Fiona Said:
on May 20, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Our Prayers to you and all your family. Our fathers are a pillar in our lives and an oak in the pasture!
Wendy Pridgen Said:
on June 23, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Thank-you so much for the wonderful memories. I was one of the kids who boarded my horse with the Hertzlers for many years in the 80’s. I never could have afforded to have a horse if not for Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler. They came to my wedding in 1987 and they danced:) I will be eternally grateful to them for the years I spent at the farm and all the wonderful people I met there.
Wendy Pridgen
Pat Said:
on June 23, 2014 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for sharing your memories. I can not imagine them dancing!!!! Never know what secret memories are out there! Did you make it to the funeral?
Wendy Pridgen Said:
on June 24, 2014 at 8:16 am
I did not know that both had passed away until this past weekend when I spoke to another of the “Hertzler Barn Girls.” I really wish I had known and I certainly would have been there. I keep you and your family in my prayers and I hope you find comfort in knowing that there are so many people like me out there that were touched in such a positive way by the farm in the city. I always say that being at the Hertzlers kept me out of the trouble that seems to find so many young people these days.
Nancy Horan Kramer Said:
on June 23, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Thank you so much for the fond memories and words. My sisters and I boarded our horses at Hertzlers (as we called it) back in the 70’s. That’s where I grew up and learned to love riding. Hertzlers was my home away from home. I always felt safe, loved and welcome there. I have such fond memories of Mr. Hertzler in his shop. Always working on the tractor or building jumps with Mr. Sweeney for us to use in the HUGE arena. What a treasure, What a gift Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler gave to whole generation of children growing up and riding horses in Denbigh!!
Pat Said:
on June 23, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Thanks for sharing this these precious memories. Did you make it to the funeral?
Jennifer L. Day Said:
on August 24, 2014 at 9:21 pm
I am so sad to hear about Mr. Hertzler. My family has so many wonderful memories of the farm. We boarded a horse there from 1989-1996. We moved to North Carolina and this past weekend drove to Va to visit Busch Gardens. We decided to go past our old house and then go to”Hertlzers” I was so happy to see the barn and fields still there. We drove By very slow, just trying to see everything. The bell, the separate fields- mares on one side, geldings on the other. Mrs. Hertlzer’s rule- no riding on Sunday’s before 12 noon. You should be in church. Except for show days. Mr. Hertlzer taught me how to back up a trailer, it took me several attempts, but I finally got it.
We could also pick up peacans and pay by the pound. I think the figs were the best ever.
My daughter was 5 when we started boarding there. Growing up at the barn and having Mr and Mrs. Hertlzer there was a wonderful experience. I remembered at Christmas they would open the barn to everybody and we had hot cider and cookies and warmed ourselves around the stove. Mr Hertlzer gave my daughter a carved wooden horse. Truly a wonderful man. He will be missed.
Ben, Jennifer and Jaclyn Day
Pat Said:
on August 24, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Thanks for writing and your kind comments. It is sad and we still grieve. We have lots of good memories also and lots of good pictures. There were lots of photogenic opportunities there.
Gone Except for the Memories | Country Chatter Said:
on July 30, 2017 at 9:00 pm
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