CNJ+ July 2024

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

In early June of 1983, I was just 29 years old. I was working as a proof reader for Oral-B Toothbrushes, for their marketing services pam phlets and booklets. At that time, they were located in Fairfield. I had earned a week’s vacation time. Little did I know, when that week began, that I was about to embark on an adventure that would leave a profoundly positive mark upon the deepest chambers of my heart cen ter. Dad also took a week’s vacation time from his job as a long-distance truck driver. We had big plans to build a small barn, along Mabey Lane, in the backyard of the old Mabey Homestead. Uncle Ed, one of Dad’s older brothers, lived next door to us. Uncle Ed was now re tired and agreed to help us build the barn. Dad and Uncle Ed were both World War II veterans. Uncle Ed served in the U. S. Navy. Dad served in the Seventh Army Air Corps, stationed at Hickam Airfield in Ha

This is a photo of the red barn that Dad, Uncle Ed and I built in June of 1983. Our beloved Shetland Sheepdog, Gidget, can be seen walking along, beside the barn.

waii. Both men talked very little about their time in service. Uncle Ed’s ship was sunk, by a German war ship, off the coast of England. He was rescued by a British Navy ship. Well, Monday morning Dad drove Uncle Ed and I, in his Ford Ranger pickup truck, to the old Channel Lumber on Route 23. We bought a good amount of two by fours, plywood boards, black roofing shingles, and four large hinges. The three of us loaded the back of Dad’s pickup truck with this extravagant haul of wood, shingles and hinges. The adventure had begun. Why do we remember certain things? As if they are implanted with indel ible ink into the cavernous vaults of our subconscious minds. But for some reason, I remember we stopped for lunch at the Burger King on Route 23. I’m not sure if it was in Wayne or Pequannock. One thing I do remember was that, as we ate our hamburgers and chomped on our French fries, Dad took out a folded piece of notebook paper from his shirt pocket. On this blue-lined paper, were the very plans Dad had drawn in pencil, for the structure of his dream barn. I remember that there was an electrical enthusiasm in Dad’s voice. There was almost a song in Dad’s voice as he showed his brother and I his plans on how he wanted his small barn built. I know how odd this may sound, but it almost seemed that the people in nearby tables, actually stopped talking to one another to hear what Dad was saying. There was no doubt about it,

Dad’s enthusiasm at that Burger King was definitely contagious. I remember we drove halfway down Mabey Lane. Since it was not a busy road, Dad parked over to the side, along the pine trees on our property and we all unloaded the lumber and roofing shingles onto the green grass of our old backyard. I remember this moment like it was yesterday. After we completely un loaded the back of Dad’s Ford Ranger, Dad took a moment and looked at the very spot that he had staked out to be the location where his dream barn would proudly stand. Dad stood there, bigger than life, with his hands on his hips, with a great big smile on his face. “Men, this is where we’re gonna build the barn!” Dad declared with a most glorious enthusiasm in his voice. Something touched me deep inside, the very moment Dad gleefully spoke those words. It was the first time in my life that my father had called me a man. It’s hard to put into words. But at that moment in time, I truly became a man. To be continued next issue. 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.

13

GUNTHERPUBLICATIONS.COM