What a difference a Day makes, with a little Garland, and the passing of Buck.

[Beaver]

We met Garland Day to some only known as (Buck) in 1982, we had moved into our home and taken the place of one of his life long neighbors. Would we ever be accepted? He was a tall slim man, short white hair, always in blue collar uniform, with long skinny arms and could throw a stone from his garden, it would seem, a mile. No stone he saw was left unturned or left in his plantable soil. Buck and the other older men neighbors had quite a hold on their surroundings. As a group very willing to rush in to let you know just how things were done around there. I can say now, when you set out to be an example for the God you believe in, never let it blind you in  seeing the example, God has set out for you to see in them. When Buck came to visit alone, he was not much on conversation. He was to the point. “Those sour cherries on that tree in your back Yard, I have always been aloud to pick, and my wife makes a very good cherry role.” I assured him nothing would change and he could help himself to all the sour cherries his heart desired. These cherries were sour beyond what could be explained, and what could be made of them that was appetizing, was left to be tasted. Buck walked away that day with a wash bucket full of cherries,  with me standing working in the yard, and never looked back or saying good bye. At the time I found it odd, but now can almost understand, but will not try. Buck arrived at the front door, out of work uniform, bermuda shorts and penny loafers with a cherry role. We welcomed him in and got out the plates and sampled the famous sour cherry role, and how fantastic was it. Absolutely amazing! He smiled with his no top tooth grin, and his second example had been noticed. Years had passed and Buck had walked away many times, with out ever saying good bye, his garden being right behind our house, he would always stop by and and leave what ever he had harvested for the day. Saying goodbyes was not his practice. Buck retired from his job at the lumber yard and had time on his hands and decided to build his self a 2 car garage. It went well and there was not a day that he did not assure me it was all done debt free. He paid cash for all, and his 2 car garage stood proud, and complete. Another example, that had not gone unnoticed. We had become accepted by the older neighbors for the most part as time went on and gained the respect of Buck with our examples. We decided to add a second story addition to our home and a 2 car garage, first with prayer and all the faith we could muster, and a hope that one day it would be debt free. With four young sons to  keep safe during construction, Buck became the nanny that kept an eye on them when he was there and, always letting us know where we could be better at parenting to keep them from harm. “You need to make those boys wear shoes around here, there are to many things they could step on.” Thanks Buck, for the example of caring. After a day of hammering the concrete sidewalk, and returning to see Buck placing the  last of the broken pieces in the dumpster. Another example of what he must of thought of us without saying. The construction site remained clean and picked up and watched over when Buck was around. We never requested for him, to and he never asked if he could, he just did. When he would see we had it under control, he would walk away to his home never looking back, with out ever waving good by, or telling you he was leaving. You would see him walking out of sight, and wonder when you would see him again. The house was almost finished and the last of the details were being taken care of, and I watched Buck walk out of sight, never to return. Weeks had passed and I began to wonder why I had not seen Buck for awhile? I wondered if I had said something to offend him, and if so just what it would have been. Buck had passed. I had found out from His family that he had found out from the doctor that he had terminal cancer and with out them knowing he came to his home sat in his chair and passed with his dignity, debt free, and left with out waving. The devil had gained no glory from his illness. He had passed like we all will one day, and what he knew was, the devil did not know any more than you  tell him.  He also knew, he could let you know with out saying a word, what his thought were of you. Garland Day (Buck) Thank you for the example, that God let me see in you,  in Jesus Name.

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