Thurman Kimbrough's birthday is December 3rd. Since we moved to Red Rock he had become a close friend. We had gone to all the Gospel Singings in the area, we had visited folks in the hospital, and when we visited the funeral home, we got there before the family did!! During our Saturday morning breakfast adventures, I would listen to this old man tell of all his wonderful adventures in life! He helped me grow!
I wanted to get him something for his birthday. What would he want? This is a man that retired from two automobile manufacturers! He had farmed. He had served as Chairman on the School Board for many years. His political influence was strong. If a candidate ran for any office, he surely wanted Thurman's support. He had raised five very successful children, two of which have rang the opening bell at the stock market (one of them did it TWICE)!! He is married to one of the finest women who ever lived! He has known both poverty and financial security. He has lived through tragedies and yet has enjoyed a wonderful life. He now lives peacefully on a couple of acres at the corner of Red Rock Road and Patrick Lane in a beautiful house that he built over 40 years ago! I watched his daily routine. Rising before the sun, he works in his garden until lunch. His wife, Netti, feeds him a hearty meal. He watches Jeopardy then takes a nap. After his nap, he visits a few folks in the community. Arriving home he sits in his chair on the carport waving at those who pass and talking to those who stop in to see him. Tomorrow he will do it all again.
We decided what to get Thurman for his birthday. In the spring we took pictures of him preparing his land for his garden. He had no idea as we photographed him planting the seeds and putting out the tomato plants. As the season progressed we took pictures of his garden growing. We even rode in a plane with a friend and took some pictures from the air!! We even took pictures into the late summer and fall as he harvested and lay the land by. On December 3rd, we presented him with a photo album. I couldn't believe his reaction! This strong, experienced, well informed man smiled broadly as he watched his garden grow through pictures! As he saw the last pictures of the dying plants after the harvest he said, "This is life, son. You are born, you grow and produce, then you die. It's the way it is supposed to be! When I'm gone on to heaven, my children can look at this album and remember what my life was really all about!" Thurman helped me to understand that our life is pretty simple! What will I "Produce" today?
I wanted to get him something for his birthday. What would he want? This is a man that retired from two automobile manufacturers! He had farmed. He had served as Chairman on the School Board for many years. His political influence was strong. If a candidate ran for any office, he surely wanted Thurman's support. He had raised five very successful children, two of which have rang the opening bell at the stock market (one of them did it TWICE)!! He is married to one of the finest women who ever lived! He has known both poverty and financial security. He has lived through tragedies and yet has enjoyed a wonderful life. He now lives peacefully on a couple of acres at the corner of Red Rock Road and Patrick Lane in a beautiful house that he built over 40 years ago! I watched his daily routine. Rising before the sun, he works in his garden until lunch. His wife, Netti, feeds him a hearty meal. He watches Jeopardy then takes a nap. After his nap, he visits a few folks in the community. Arriving home he sits in his chair on the carport waving at those who pass and talking to those who stop in to see him. Tomorrow he will do it all again.
We decided what to get Thurman for his birthday. In the spring we took pictures of him preparing his land for his garden. He had no idea as we photographed him planting the seeds and putting out the tomato plants. As the season progressed we took pictures of his garden growing. We even rode in a plane with a friend and took some pictures from the air!! We even took pictures into the late summer and fall as he harvested and lay the land by. On December 3rd, we presented him with a photo album. I couldn't believe his reaction! This strong, experienced, well informed man smiled broadly as he watched his garden grow through pictures! As he saw the last pictures of the dying plants after the harvest he said, "This is life, son. You are born, you grow and produce, then you die. It's the way it is supposed to be! When I'm gone on to heaven, my children can look at this album and remember what my life was really all about!" Thurman helped me to understand that our life is pretty simple! What will I "Produce" today?