Little Moments with my Dad (3rd Edition)
Little Moments with my Dad (3rd Edition)
Little Moments with my Dad — Mr. Thomas Linsford Coleman Sr.
A Tribute by Kenrick Mark Coleman, MAPR, BSBM
A Childhood Christmas Gift to Remember
· I believe it was Christmas 1998 or 1999 when my dad took my two brothers and I to the late Peter Aleman’s General Store to choose our Christmas gifts. Actually, he found presents for a few of our other family members (Coleman and Jacobs).
· My two brothers opted for toys and other gadgets. I think the price range for those was between $40-$60.
· Growing up, I was never into toys or anything ‘playful’. I was and still is a ‘nerd’, who enjoys books to read, and then books to write in. I kept looking around the store, but couldn’t find anything I loved on the shelves.
· Roxanna Aleman was the Store Attendant then, and she said ‘oh Kenny, we have those packs of pens’ and she pointed to the ceiling. There were about a dozen packs of pens strung together on a string and tied to a nail on the ceiling. She said there were 4 pens in the packet: one red ink, one black ink, one blue ink and one green ink. I looked at it, and it was an instant ‘yes!’
· While the price was only $4.95, I was overjoyed to receive a truly worthy gift. I enjoyed writing, so the pens were an AMAZING Christmas present!
· I remember using the pens at school doing class work, and then at home, for homework and small projects.
· This present from my dad was truly remarkable!
· I must say ‘Thank you’ to Roxanna Aleman for showing me this item, while we were looking for presents.
Evenings listening to Joe & Tom having conversations
· Joe &(the late) Laverne Floyd, our comrades from the USA, visited regularly between 1994–1998 (I believe). While in Toledo, they came over to our humble abode often and cooked dinners. I remember Laverne making delectable Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits, Pizza, Spaghetti, and of course, her (winner) Chocolate Chip cookies. Of note, my cookies can never compare to hers!
· The back of our home (where the restaurant kitchen now stands) was an open shed, and we did our homework there. The breeze blew and I enjoyed observing nature at glimpses, while doing homework.
· I remember Joe and my dad always had conversations under the shed. I listened and grasped what I thought was important to my life. They discussed life, my dad’s job, trucks, life in the USA, food, and many other topics.
· I truly enjoyed learning from these older, wiser individuals. I remember my dad told Joe that Kenny is an ‘education’ boy. He mentioned that I was dedicated to my academics. Joe said that’s wonderful, and he will go on to have a bright future.
A Memorable Time at Jacinto Creek
· Many Saturdays, my entire family would ‘dress up’ and my dad would drive us into town. This was 1996 onwards, as he bought a Toyota pickup truck. My parents bought groceries and sometimes visited a few friends and families. We (the three sons) would always get twenty-five cents worth of ‘Smarties’ from Peter Mahung’s Store. Those were excellent! I looked forward to that always!
· One Saturday while driving back to Big Falls, my dad stopped at the bank of Jacinto Creek. All of us got out of the pickup and relaxed for about an hour. I loved water, so I walked down from the bank (it was a small hill) to the creek. I didn’t go into the water though. Actually, when I was walking down the hill, my dad told me not to go into the water.
· I had a peaceful time, as it was mostly nature — forests and the flowing creek. I believe my brothers were running around on the bank. Honestly, I love tranquil havens and moments (an hour of pure love) with family and nature. I keep having vivid reflections of this day many, many years ago. I can see San Felipe junction and its forest areas. I can see the beauty of ‘just being’ at the banks of Jacinto Creek.
· There was a Mayan man there, and my dad talked with him for a while. I guess the Mayan man was waiting on a bus or going somewhere else.
· This was truly a memorable moment in my life!
End
