4. Arthur Bentley, Step Grandfather “PaPa”
- PaPa Bentley was a major influence in my life between the ages of 8 to 17. Both of my Grandfathers and one Grandmother had died before I reached the age of 7. It was a great day when my Grandmother married Arthur Bentley. He was a towering presence at 6ft 4in tall, and over 350 pounds. With his silvery white hair he could be clearly identified in any crowd. I’ve known few people who enjoyed every day the way he did. He managed his two chicken houses, almost 200 acres of cattle, milked a cow, churned butter, and planted a major garden every year; and he still had lots of time to hang out on the front porch and tell us stories about his life. He loved to have fun. I never knew from one day to the next what “surprise” adventure he would take me on!
- He taught me how to drive a tractor and a truck by the age of 11.
- He taught me how to plow with a mule.
- He taught me how to appreciate every day.
- He taught me how to have fun while working.
- He taught me the value of being spontaneous.
- He taught me to love cattle and farm life.
- A thousand times I have wanted to show him my garden, farm, and cattle and hear his approval. It was at his farm that a dream was birthed inside of me to have my own farm someday. He died when I was 17, but was a gift from God to me during my teenage years. I’m thankful!
Join me from the start of my “100 Days to 50” journey by clicking here!