FOURTEEN

REWARDS

July 28, 2008

After we began working with our father, we were lucky to get any days-off during the busy seasons of fall, spring, and summer. When hearing we wouldn’t work the next day for whatever reason, I’d yell to the sky “Yeeeeeehaaa! Ride’em Broomstick Pony!” Then I’d become suspicious, and feel that this “Great Storm” was quickly coming over yonder, because I could feel it in my young bones.

When our parents suggested “Why don’t the two of you take a seat,” it was though the Storm Clouds had suddenly gathering directly above us. Hearing our father say “Starting tomorrow, our Gardening Business is branching-out. It will also include Landscaping!” When I heard this, it was though a Lighting Strike had suddenly struck us exactly where we sat. I felt like leaping out of my seat yelling “Where’s the Humanity?!” (And we thought Cutting Lawns wash?)

It took a while before we could smoothly incorporate our Landscaping Jobs with the Gardening Side of our business. Being caught-up with our lawns in order to fit-in our Landscaping Jobs wasn’t easy. But our father never said “no” because they always paid so very well. When things became very complicated for just the three of us, our grandfather Augustine and mother were always there to help.

When beginning some of our Landscaping Jobs I still remember how “clients” would continue adding additional improvements that weren’t in the original plan. This only made the length of completion that much longer. But then our father always made sure they understood it was going to cost then extra. He used to say “Time’s moneys and moneys time!” This just made our Gardening Jobs even more backed-up no matter how fast we tried to work.

Why, there were times when we even hired our uncles and cousins to get our Landscaping Jobs finished in as little time as possible. We use to find it so amusing to hear our father “Bark Instructions” to somebody else for a change. Our relatives would be caught-off guard, and looked like they’d been suddenly challenged by “Billy the Kid!” And we made sure that our father wasn’t around to hear us say, “Welcome to our world!”

After we’d finish a Landscaping Job, we were all so very proud of our work. Ever more relieved we’d actually survived through the triple degree heat. After receiving “Payment in Full” along with payments at the end of the month from our Lawn Business, I remember how happy our parents would be.

But constantly hearing “Go faster because we have two more Lawns to cut so we can begin that Landscaping Job tomorrow” while the sun was already falling from the sky, aged us quickly. I had dark tans because of my darker brown complexion, while you tanned a lot lighter because of your light skin. Didn’t matter that we wore those old, big straw hats of our father’s because the sun still always found its target.

Do you remember how our share of the “Family Profits” was when our mother took us to buy new school clothes, and the many gifts we’d receive on Christmas? She let us pick-out our Jeans and Printed Tees from Wal-Mart, Target, or Gottschalks, and any Color of Converse High-tops we wanted. Funny how the popular clothes from our era are now popular once again today. Only if we’d hold-on to our Levi Jeans, we might have been millionaires! (Where’s my money?!)

Whenever indecisive with our choices, our mother always had the perfect solution. She’d pick-out two of the same, and dress us like “Identical Twins.” What made things even more disastrous is the fact you and I looked nothing a like! You had this thin built, long straight brown hair, and a light complexion. I on other hand, was shorter with this chubby built, black short hair, and a darker complexion that mislead everyone into believing one of us was “Adopted.” We’d kid around by pointing at each other.

In the 1960’s growing-up here in Fresno, I remember taking many pictures on the Fulton Mall. Back then it was still popular, but many businesses would eventually move north onto Blackstone or Shaw Avenues. But it was the most popular place back then where our Grandfathers even enjoy socializing with their friends.

In this picture above, you can see how our mother has dressed us once again in matching shirts, plaid short pants, and long cotton socks with new sneakers. But the only reason we agreed to the “get-up” is because she promised us Ice Cream to pose in front of “This Water Fountain.” The problem was there were many different Water Fountains up and down the Mall. Picture taking took-up our entire afternoon. (Which was worst? Working, or Eating Ice Cream? Hmmm...)

Everyone that crossed our path were so amused to see us dressed the same. Hearing our mother constantly ask us to “Say cheese! Let me see you smile!” Brought even more unwanted attention. When we grew tired she’d quickly reminded us of our “Verbal Ice Cream Agreement.” Cheese?! Cheese Louise lady! Why don’t you hurry-up because I’m about to go pee pee in my pants! The sound of water constantly run directly behind us wasn’t helping either. Aaaaaaah! Where are all the restroom!

Getting back to our father, we now know his vision back then was much larger than spending money on new clothes. He said on more than one occasion, “When I was young boy, my parents didn’t go shopping for clothes until they were all wore-out. We didn’t spend money just because our old clothes started to show a little character!”

It’s wasn’t that our father was a cheap skate; he was just trying to save-up money for a “Specific Thing” he wanted for a very long time. I remember one morning being awaken by all this loud excitement that filled our family’s house. After everyone was gathered in the living room, we went outside.

There was this Baby Blue Ford 1 ½ ton Flatbed Truck, with very large Dooley Tires in rear, sitting in our driveway. It was a dream come true for our father. Needless to say those Dooley Tires sure came in handy back in. I remember taking many trips to the Orange Dump with full-loads of trash and lawn debris in the back of our Ford. After driving through the Entrance, we’d stop at that little building to pay for dumping.

The Dump Employee would say,

“Hey, how’s it going?! What do you have to dump today?”

Our father would either reply,

“Half-load, three quarter, or full-load.”

The Employee would then ask,

“Do you have any junk tires back there?!”

“No, no tires,” our father would reply, even though some of the time it were untrue.

We’d be charged anywhere from $30- $65 depending on if we had any metal, or old 2x4’s with nails mixed in our load because it would then have to be dumped in certain areas.

I remember as if it were just yesterday how we’d then start taking that fun ride all the way up this mountain. We begin by slowly climbing upward on that dusty road in a corkscrew manner for five or six stories until finally reaching the top of this “Man Made Mountain of Trash and Dirt.” On the way up, our father would always tell us to look out of the windows, and look down at all the beautiful surrounding Fruit Orchards and Grape Vineyards. When we finally reached the top I was kind of bummed that our “Fun Ride” was over.

Our father would then slowly back-up until we got close to those piles of trash on the dirt floor. He’d then stop for one of us to open the back doors of the 3in. plywood enclosure that surrounded the bed of the truck. We’d chain them open and re-enter the truck for safety. He’d put his Ford into neutral. Make sure to step-on the emergency brake. Then slowly pull-out the hydraulic lever that engaged the hydraulic system.

He’d then gingerly step on the gas as we quickly turned around on our seat to watch through the rear window as the bed slowly lifted towards the sky until reaching 40-50 degrees. Some trash would already started to fall. But there were also many times when our trash was “so compacted,” even after reaching the maximum 70-degree angle, most of our trash still wouldn’t fall-out.

In those instances, our father would slowly move his Baby Blue Ford forward about five yards. Shift the truck into reverse while the bed was still lifted, then suddenly step on the gas petal causing those Dooley Tires to spin-out before suddenly taking-off backwards! He’d then slam-on the brakes just a few feet before hitting the dumped trash, causing our load quickly slide-off the bed like a greased pig sliding through arms on Sadie Hawkins Day!

Whenever we came across less fortunate Gardeners manually unloading their trucks with Gardening Tools, I’d always feel sort of sad and guilty they didn’t also have hydraulic flatbeds. It only took us around 10-15 minutes to unload. So when we’d stop to help-out total strangers in need, some also with their young sons, it always made me feel good giving them a hand.

Whenever anyone accidentally got their trucks stuck in that Dump Mud, our father would always offer to help them out. He never took a single penny for his help, and people always offered to pay him for his time. He’d backing-up our Ford in front of that other vehicle, attach one end of his steel chain with the hooks to their front bumper. Then attached other end to the Steel Rear Bumper/Trailer Hitch our truck. Those Dooley Tires always made pulling-out vehicles of different sizes so easy. Because of his help, I looked-up to our father as a “Warm Hearted Super Hero.” He was definitely a member of “Our Justice League.”

This one winter long ago during our break from work, we woke-up early Christmas Morning. We tip toed down the hallway past our parent’s bedroom towards the living room while still living at our house on Lamona Avenue. At the time we were still attending Mayfair Elementary?

After quietly making our way to the living room we began snooping around our Christmas tree. It was surrounded by so many presents of different size we didn’t know where to begin. We quickly found some small ones with our names on them, so we started shaking them around to try and figure what could possibly be inside! I just followed “your lead” because you were older. Plus, I could claim this fact to our parents if we got busted.

While our parents and sisters were still asleep, we continued investigating each and every gift very meticulously. We suddenly noticed these two medium size boxes with our names on them, sitting right in front of us semi-visible behind our tree. Filled with uncontrollable excitement it was hard to keep our composures. I then let-out this little “shriek” you weren’t too happy hearing. As we lifted these presents, and began giving them a good shake, we heard our father’s harsh voice say, “Stop what you’re doing…and get away from there! It’s not time to open presents yet!” We pleaded “No Contest” to our crimes, and received “Pardons” in end. But I might have pointed at you when all of this was happening, letting our parents know it was your idea. (Funny)

When asked if we were hungry we quickly assured our parents it wasn’t for Food, but to start tearing our presents apart! After being allowed to open a few small gifts “we totally appreciated,” we then eagerly awaited permission to start opening the larger ones. We soon found ourselves in front of those two gifts we’d just gotten busted with a short time ago.

After tearing-off a fist-full of Christmas Wrap we could already see what was inside! You really surprised me, Big Brother, when let-out this “High Pitched Screech” because you’d gotten mad at me for my “little shriek” moments earlier. I’d never heard you make that noise before in my entire life, or see you at a loss for words. I actually thought you were about to faint!

We were so excited to find so many different Hot Wheel Cars in this large case in your gift, then find this Big Hot Wheel Track Set in the one I’d just opened! Watch-out Richard Petty! Why those two gifts were a marriage made in heaven because all of that “Hot Wheel Stuff” was so popular back then, and still is today. Some of our cars even had headlights that would turn-on when placed on the electric track. It was the Coolest Thing Around!

We’d spend so many long hours playing with our Hot Wheels while trying to come-up with different racing tracks to race them on. I remember how we liked incorporating at least two or three Looping Sections throughout the length of our track designs to allow optimum car speed. After opening these two gifts, we just thought these must be the best Christmas Presents two little boys could ever receive! I was “quite content” at that point, and was ready to play.

So when our parents pulled-out those Two Medium Size Boxes that were hidden behind our Large Sofa, and yelled “Surprise! Merry Christmas!” You could have poked me with a fork and gotten no reaction. We both fell into this “Temporary Shock” that amused our parents.

After a few “Hesitate Seconds” we started opening these presents, and it took us less time than a “Pit Crew putting-on a New Set of Racing Tires!” Still on our “Hot Wheel High” we thought nothing could possibly top the last presents we’d just received. That was, until we got those “Super Hero Costumes.” Yeeehaaaa! I started yelling as I did this Quick Two-step Dance I’d never done before in my entire life.

You let out this shriek that was much louder than the first, Big Brother. I thought you trying-out for “Lead Opera Singer” quickly entered my mind. In the process of holding my Bulletproof Black & Gray Batman Costume for everyone to see, I must have accidentally pushed my can of “Bat Spray” because I suddenly began feeling very light-headed. My mouth was wide open as I tried keeping my balance. But I couldn’t speak a single word! (Can you say D…….elirious?!)

I stared gazing at my Shiny Suit with a Black Cape attached, the Long Black Gloves, before the Mask with Pointy Ears stole my attention. You said that my “Batman Suit looks like it has Padded Panties attached to the back side!” I just replied, “So what! They’re Crime Fighting Panties! If this Suit is good enough for Batman, then it’s good enough for me! So don't hate! ”

As I began observing all of the different gadgets on my Gold Crime Fighting Stitched Belt with the Gold Buckle, you opened your gift to find the Shiny Superman Costume with a Cape an attached. And your costume also had the same type of padded panties! Ha!

After a short while kidding with each other we threw-on our costumes faster than “The Flash” himself! At the request of our parents we started modeling right there in the middle of our living room. It didn’t matter when they started taking pictures because we were already “Struttin’ with Pride.” We were Superheroes! And we wanted the whole world to know it.

After our “Super Pictures” our father said, “Ooooh. I forgot. There’s something else in the garage for you guys!” Inside the garage we found two “Big Wheels Boxes” already unwrapped, just sitting next to each other with those “Large Christmas Bows” on top. Hot Wheels, Super Hero Costumes, now Big Wheels?! Working with our father finally felt appreciated.

We ripped those Cardboard Boxes open before you could say, “Holy Cow Batman!” Ha! Our father quickly started decorating our “New Crime Fighting Mobiles,” but it just seemed to take forever! Do you still remember how he slowly “Unpeeled Each and Every Sticker” before attaching it to our Big Wheels? He was “So Meticulous” placing each one of them at a perfect angle! I might have only been about “Four” at that time, but I could feel this “Mounting Anticipation Causing My Hair to Turn Gray.”

After our father attached the last Flame Sticker to our Big Wheels, and since we were already fully dressed in our Superhero Costumes, we were ready to “shift into action!” We started cruising around our neighborhood just like the Super Friends always did from the Justice League. I remember receiving many different reactions from our neighbors during this special time in our lives. Some would slowly smile, before waving as we passed them riding down the sidewalk. They probably acted like this because we’d yell, “Don’t worry! We’re going to keep our neighborhood safe from crime!”

Looking back, Big Brother, I think all of those people were also amused with our costumes, and short statures that filled them. They probably smiled at us because we had “Very Imaginable Young Sprits” back then, and didn’t take anything too serious. What do you think? Well when you’re ready, we can discuss this further back at the Bat Cave if you want? Ha! You’re so funny! Didn’t you feel as invincible in your “Superman Costume” as you pretended to fly through the air while running, and holding your arms straight in front of you? It was entertaining to see you leap over tall buildings that were really Small Milk Crates in the backyard. I remember you use to tell me you could see through walls with your “X-ray Vision!” Funny, because I actually believe you back then. Almost just as much as I believed in my own “Super Hero Powers.”

After all we’ve been through working so hard, and having these fond memories, “When did the Evil Villains finally get the best of us? When did we turned from Fighting Crime to a Lives of Crime?!” But that all no longer matters, Big Brother, because the changes you’ve been experiencing “Recently” is the power of the Holy Spirit slowly starting to work within your Mind, Body, and Soul. As children we worked hard, played hard, and our parents taught us our faith.

“[The Lord] touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”                                                               MATTEW 9:29 NASB

Next Chapter: Chapter#13