CNJ+ August 2024

I Remember Dad: THE RED BARN, PART II By Richard Mabey Jr.

wsiworld. (609) 28 b.desai@ #FaceBook Ad #Get More Le It was just about the era that the Lin coln Park Herald had moved its office from Lincoln Park to Pompton Plains and renamed itself The Lincoln Herald. It was a good, quality weekly newspa per. But it had now become a regional weekly newspaper for a fair number of towns, surrounding Lincoln Park. No longer was its focused just on the peo ple and events of Lincoln Park. It was somewhere in between the hammering, the sawing, and measuring Your Tru BrianD I was 29 years old at the time. I was working as a proofreader and editor, of the patient educational literature, for a large toothbrush manufacturer. I felt as though my wheels were turning in the sand. I had this little office in the back of the building. Truth to be told, it had served as a broom closet. My boss was very kind and allowed me to set it us as a converted office. I was out of the mainstream of the rest of the people. My little office was just across from the mail-room. Proof reading is tedious, detailed and an in credibly boring job. Still, it was a job. But I was just feeling restless, I longed to write more and proofread less. #Local SEO #Google Ads In early June of 1983, for one week of our lives, Dad, Uncle Ed and I woke up early and worked till the sun set. For we had built a little barn. A most proud and wonderful accomplishment. Dad and I had taken a week’s vacation time, from our jobs. Uncle Ed had recently retired. His plan was to move to Neva da, with his wonderful wife, Joy, in the beginning of July.

“Look, son, I think you should start your own newspaper!” Dad said to me in a most serious, no-nonsense tone. “Dad, I don’t think I could ever do that,” I said to me beloved father. “Don’t sell yourself short, son,” Dad re plied. “I don’t know Dad, I don’t know if I’m that good of a writer,” I nervously replied to my father. “Yes you are son! Don’t sell yourself short,” Dad told me with great, earnest conviction. That afternoon, Dad spoke words of encouragement to me. Now at 70, I look back at that very afternoon, and I think that my dear father’s words of his deep belief in me, was a pivotal point in my life. Shortly thereafter, I did leave the tooth brush company to start my own news paper, The Lincoln Park Journal. It was probably one of the most exciting roller coaster rides that I have ever taken in my life. There were times that the financial struggle brought me to tears. There were times when I felt I was doing something very important for the good people of Lincoln Park. But all in all, I learned all so very much. I never thanked Dad for his words of encouragement that he gave to me that Summer afternoon, back in 1983. Now at 70, and fighting Stage IV Hypertro phic Cardiomyopathy, I so deeply regret that I never thanked Dad for his im mense belief in my God given talent to be a writer.

For Digit

A scan of one of the front pages of my old Lincoln Park Journal.

length of two by fours, that I was sharing my feelings with my dad. I distinct ly remember that it was just Dad and I working on the barn that day. Uncle Ed had gone to his doctor, to pick up his medical records, for his upcoming move to Nevada. I remember this moment, as if it was yesterday. It is engraved in the cham bers of my heart and mind with indelible ink. Dad was sawing a two by four, that was traversed across two old wooden saw horses. Dad stopped sawing, as I was hammering a sheet of plywood into place, Dad looked me square in the eye and said to me, “listen to me, Richie.” I stopped hammering the plywood, along the barn’s sidewall in progress.

In memory, I return to the week that Dad, Uncle Ed and I built a little barn. Truly, it was a turning point in my life. Dad’s encouragement is a debt I can only recognize, but sadly never repay. Life is short. None of us have a guarantee for tomorrow. Love one another. Forgive, forgive and forgive others for the wrongs they have done to you. Tell your loved ones that you love them. For tomorrow may be too late. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.

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