05/30/2026
Griffin is exploring a very, very old chair.
The chair belonged to my Uncle Cull(Dickerson).
I was first acquainted with the chair when I was 3 years old, living in the "old" house in Rocky Springs, Tyler County.
Uncle Cull would sit in the chair in front of a huge fireplace, with his left foot resting on the lower chair round, and deliver a volley of to***co juice from about 4 ft. into the fireplace!
I thought this was amazing. I tried(without the to***co), but simply dribbled on my chin!
Years later, when a new house was built, the chair found a new designation in the kitchen.
In the morning, after early chores, Uncle Cull would sit in the chair, again propping his left foot on the chair round, lean back against the wall, beside a white wall-heater; eat a cold biscuit and drink a glass of milk; rest a while, then return to chores.
In the spring, chores included plowing a field with a mule pulling a plow. Uncle Cull would carefully and slowly guide the plow into very straight furrows. Amazing! The furrows would be planted with corn in some, and peas in others. Food for us and food for the farm animals.
Following in the appropriate seasons, would come the tasks of gathering and storing the crops.
Every morning, regardless of the season and the accompanying weather, good or bad, the chores continued, as did the the morning ritual of eating the cold biscuit and drinking the milk, while sitting in "the chair."
Gradually, over the years, a portion of the chair round gave way to wear. Nevertheless, sitting and eating continued, until one very cold day in January, 1952.
My whole world was shattered when I asked, "Will he be alright,"and the answer was, "No, Baby, he won't." Joe Dickerson was seldom wrong about a diagnosis.
I was only 9 years old, but had memorized "The Lord's Prayer" and the 23rd. Psalm years before.
I learned early the necessity of depending on my Heavenly Father for comfort. That necessity, combined with privilege, remains with me still. "Seek The Lord, and his strength: seek his face for evermore." Psalm 105: 4
The un-repaired chair round reminds me that even in brokenness, there can be assurance and healing.
Standing in the treasure, is Griffin, when just a baby! Griffin is, also, gone now; only, the chair and memories remain.

