THE LAST WALKIN COTTON PICKER
repost from February 2011
“You know son, I guess I’ve gotta be one of the last walkin’ cotton-pickers left,” He stated quietly as if the realization just crept up on him. “Really”? I answered, caught a little of guard.
My dad went on to explain the details of some of his childhood that I’d never heard from him my entire life. I knew my dad was born to a poor sharecropper family in Arkansas. One of the first times I got in trouble at school was for making fun of another kid, my dad used some of his childhood memories to teach me one of many life lessons.
I was used to teasing and being teased by my big brothers and friends, it was a pretty tough area we grew up in. It seemed kinda natural to make fun of the kid in my class that ate baby food. He must have had something wrong with his stomach or something, but I didn’t bother to worry about that part of the equation.
I was only considering the laughing and having fun part, not the other people’s lives, feelings, and future impact I might have on one of them.
When word got back to my dad through the usual channels, he was not amused, to say the least, but he wasn’t angry. Even at a young age I could tell he was deeply disappointed. Enough time has passed for me to recognize that he was heartbroken by my actions. These kinds of acts were never part of my dad’s life, he was a champion of the weak or downtrodden.
It would take many of my dad’s stories about his life and experiences to teach a hard-headed son.
My dad didn’t even whip me for making fun of Ronald at school. You see I knew enough about my dad’s life from my brothers and uncles to know that my dad was a tough, strong man. He’d rescued his brothers on many occasions and I knew he’d boxed in the Air Force, to name a few of the stories I built the vision of my dad around.
That afternoon he took me into his room, this is where we’d sometimes get whipped for blatant disobedience. The lesson began–“Sit down son”… He began to tell me of his days in school as a kid about my age. My dad shared with me how there were many times in his school days that his family didn’t have enough money to buy him or some of his brothers shoes for school.
I was horrified. He shared with me how sad and heartbroken he’d been as a kid when the other kids would make fun of him for something he couldn’t do anything about at that age. My dad also told me how disappointed he was that one of his own children would make fun of another person the way the kids had made fun of him.
I was learning the other untold side of my dad and who he really was in heart and character. You gotta know by that point, as much as I hated getting whipped, it would have been way less painful than this lesson I was learning.
Whippings were a bit painful on the outside, this punishment was painful on the inside. I never cried as hard over punishment or groundings as I did that day. The next day when I apologized to Ronald I meant those words from the bottom of my heart.
I gotta give my dad credit, he taught me a good lesson. I never, ever made fun of anyone like that again. Oh there were many more lessons for a kid like me to learn and it usually was the hard way, but not this lesson. This one I got.
I was proud to know and tell others that my dad was one of the last walking cotton-pickers. My dad and I talked about, and he carried that title of realization for about a year and a half after that… Now he’s gone…
I miss my hero, the last walkin cotton picker… He taught me a lot…
I share his stories with my kids and friends to teach and inspire them and me to live a Godly and humble life like my dad did.
I’m honored to carry the title and share the memories of the last walking cotton picker’s son…
Nancy
Thursday, June 28, 2012 @ 9:26 pm
That reminds me of how the Israelites passed along their history – verbally. These days, I think it takes too much time and people can’t be bothered to make the investment. So much information and experience is lost. Your dad is still giving and making a difference through you. Your children will do the same. That is the way it should be.
Glad you were a quick study on that particular lesson!
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 7:04 am
Thanks Nancy. My dad is still making a difference, I can only strive to as wise and instrumental.
Dan Black
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 8:04 am
The words we speak to others have power. The Bible says, “Both life and death come from the tongue” (I think it was in Proverbs/My version). I think many people carry around wounds from the words of other people. It’s so important as Christians to be careful in what we speak.
Great post and reminder.
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:04 am
Thanks Dan. I failed often in life, but God has come to have a bridle on my tongue… what a blessing that is.
Dan Black
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:12 am
I’m thankful for the grace and mercy of God. I’m not always the best but have learned the importance of what we say and how we say it.
ps. I want to let you know I’m now getting your comment replies via email.
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
Thanks Dan, I’m still learning it myself. And thanks for the feedback on the email replies.
Dan Black
Sunday, July 1, 2012 @ 1:29 pm
Your welcome. Have a blessed Sunday.
Floyd
Sunday, July 1, 2012 @ 1:52 pm
Thanks you too. Hope to see you this next week.
Jennifer@GDWJ
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:35 am
To be known as this:
“a champion of the weak or downtrodden.”
Yes …
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 4:22 pm
Thanks Jennifer. A noble title indeed…
Diane
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 2:14 pm
Another good one, I actually got teary eyed on the part where you cried from the realization, nothings worse than recognizing how ugly we can be, and thank God for parents who point it out. I miss him too. Diane
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 4:24 pm
Thanks Diane. He was wise beyond his years and education that’s for sure. I know you miss him, everyone does…
Jay Cookingham
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 2:44 pm
Your Dad sounds like a real neat dude…
The sharing of a father’s stories, lessons, and even mistakes can instruct better than any sermon my friend. Your heart is impacting for generations to come!
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 4:25 pm
Those are powerfully kind words Jay. Thank you on behalf of the man who taught me. He too would be humbly honored.
Mike
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
Your story reminded me of my childhood and all the making fun of each other. I know many of us drag baggage from being teased about things we had no control over. Unfortunately a lot of that still goes on. Very good lesson which makes you think twice about judging someone over the clothes they wear or how they look.
Floyd
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
So true Mike. In fact, I think I might go out of my way to be the one who is easily marked to make fun of or look down on. Maybe a tribute to my dad? I’m not sure, but I am sure if I’m around and that sort of bad natured thing is going on I will not remain silent. Thanks Mike…
Saleslady371
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 8:29 pm
Thanks for sharing your dad with us; he continues to teach us through your memories. Jesus used stories to teach us, also. I love stories.
Floyd
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 8:17 am
My dad sounds a lot like yours… We are blessed beyond all other treasures of this earth. Stories are powerful, real ones even more so. Thanks.
Hazel Moon
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:55 pm
Personally I believe I learned more of life’s lessons when my parents sat me down and explained the why to me than when I got a beating. Robert says he has picked cotton, and your fingers will bleed which is bad for the cotton. I don’t think he was ever called a cotton picker though. Your dad was a true blue teacher of life’s lessons.
Floyd
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 8:18 am
Thanks Hazel. People of God just naturally have a the gift of wisdom, teaching beyond this world. I appreciate yours as well.
Audra Krell
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 4:09 pm
Oh how I want an earthly daddy to teach me these things. I know though, that if my dad hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have gone looking for my heavenly father. He has taught me many things, and as you’ve described, a real whipping would have hurt far less than disappointing the King. You are such a good man Floyd. Truly, your authenticity makes this blog. It makes us readers, want to be better people. Thank you!
Floyd
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 5:05 pm
Those are special and kind words Audra. I love that you can see the truth of God’s hand in your life. Such wisdom…
Honestly I’m not near the man my dad was, he ran the race his entire life, but I know we’re all in the same boat. I’m enjoying the ride over with my brothers and sisters on the way over to where God is making us into those better people.
I can’t express how much your encouraging words do for me. Thanks for using that gift from God on me today…