"July 12th was one of the worst days of my life… when my dad died… I thought 'don't they know what happened? My dad is gone.' Then I realized the world just keeps on turning and very few notice someone's passing… the world will keep on turning and very few will pause if only for a moment."
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By George by George Russell Gardner Sr. Trafford Publishing
book review by Sherokee Ilse
As people enter the winter of their life, it is not unusual to look back, remembering the good and bad times. It is also common to want to share those stories with the children and other descendants, in hopes that when, and if, they care enough to wonder that the stories will be there for them, somehow.
The later reason is given by the author (a young 71 year-old) as to why he captured his memories into this book. He writes, "…you meet the love of your life… then kids, job, and married life and time slips by and then you lose one parent and a short time later both are gone. They took all the life experiences and stories with them. I had questions for my Father and Mother that can never be answered by them so I decided to write this book."
For fifteen chapters, George reviews his life, in a non-chronological fashion. He regales about being a boy scout; living on a farm and plowing fields; school days; dating; joining the Navy; and even sharing his love for the Cleveland Browns. He includes details such as the drive against Denver, the 1981 Ice Bowl game, and "the interception that cost Cleveland the game and most likely a Super Bowl." From eating lots of "new chunky bars... They were really good… cost a whole 5 cents… and were plain or with nuts and raisins" to cleaning out a small pond that "didn't last long… because of all the frogs, snakes, and bloodsuckers" the tales are told unceremoniously.
Serious and fun times are shared in a very simple, informal, natural manner. It's as if the reader and George are sitting on the front porch drinking ice tea, smoking a pipe, and visiting. For his family, this is a keepsake and a real look into a well-lived life. For others, it may be a motivator to do the same; preserve one's life stories while they can.