“We need to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who are being questioned by life—daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the task which it constantly sets for each individual. These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from person to person, and from moment to moment.” ~ Viktor Frankl
Dad spent a good amount of time with his old friend Roy Collett at Pickin’ In The Park. Dad told me he met Roy when he (Roy) was only 18 years old. Dad was “just back from the war” and selling furniture out of Ken’s Market. Maybe Roy was also working at Ken’s, I don’t recall now. In any case, they hit it off, but it would be a couple of decades before their paths would fully converge again.
When dad lost his kidney to Cancer over 16 years ago, both he and Roy were working at Bank of the Mountains. It was Roy who seemed to help dad heal, and he did so by taking him to church. Dad was never a church goer. I asked once why he didn’t attend. He said, “If I ever heard a preacher I believed, I might.” Apparently, Roy was that preacher. Dad has been a faithful parishioner of the Old Regular Baptist Church at Caney ever since. One of the hallmarks of Old Regular Baptists is their rotation schedule. For instance, at Caney they meet every third weekend of the month. They hold services Friday and Saturday evening, and about half the day on Sunday with 3-6 preachers throughout the weekend. The other weekends the preachers travel to other churches for similar services. Also, their music is self-made through call and response singing. Think old style acapella gospel.
Roy’s wife, Jane, is a former school teacher now under the tutelage of Minnie Adkins. They had their tents set up next to each other. I don’t remember Jane being particularly arty in high school, although she certainly may have been, but she has more than embraced it in retirement. She spends a good deal of time honing her painting craft, but she’s also learning to play dulcimer. She even played for a time at Pickin’ In The Park, and put out a call for others to join her in a county-wide study group. One of the things I admire about teachers like Jane is their never-ending desire to learn. It’s the kind of behaviour that keeps us young and vibrant into our later years. I get a great deal of joy from seeing Jane embrace art the way she has. She gifted me one of her biddies at Pickin’ In The Park. I have it sitting next to one of Minnie’s roosters. I was honored to receive such a gift. There’s little finer than art made with love and care.
And then there’s Roy who left Pickin’ In The Park to go cut hay. Even though he, too, has retired, he still farms; a job that is never really done, and certainly not one you can retire from. Like Jane’s art, farming keeps Roy active and alert, and I’m grateful for that. He’s been a good friend to dad all through the years, and I hope for many, many more. The Collett’s: they’re good people.
Jane Collett
Thank you Kopana for your sweet write-up about us. You did excellent with your pics as usual. You’re a great gal.