A.W.科布/
AsfarbackasIcanremember, thelargepicklejarsatonthefloorbesidethedresserinmyparents', 'streasurewhenthesunpouredthroughthebedroomwindow.
Whenthejarwasfilled, , , aswedrovetothebank, Dadwouldlookatmehopefully.“Thosecoinsaregoingtokeepyououtofthetextilemill, ''snotgoingtoholdyouback.”Also, eachandeverytime, asheslidtheboxofrolledcoinsacrossthecounteratthebanktowardthecashier, hewouldgrinproudly.“Theseareformyson''llneverworkatthemillallhislifelikeme.”
, hewouldshowmethefewcoinsnestledinhispalm.“Whenwegethome, we'llstartfillingthejaragain.”
, happyjingle, wegrinnedateachother.“You'llgettocollegeonpennies, nickels, dimesandquarters,”hesaid.“Butyou'llgetthere.I'llseetothat.”
Theyearspassed, , whilevisitingmyparents, Iusedthephoneintheirbedroom, , andneverlecturedmeonthevaluesofdetermination, perseverance, .
WhenImarried, , itdefined, morethananythingelse, , , andMamahadtoservedriedbeansseveraltimesaweek, , asDadlookedacrossthetableatme, pouringcatsupovermybeanstomakethemmorepalatable, hebecamemoredeterminedthanevertomakeawayoutforme.“Whenyoufinishcollege, son,”hetoldme, hiseyesglistening,“you'llneverhavetoeatbeansagainunlessyouwantto.”
ThefirstChristmasafterourdaughterJessicawasborn, , MomandDadsatnexttoeachotheronthesofa, , andSusantookherfromDad'sarms.“Sheprobablyneedstobechanged.”shesaid, carryingthebabyintomyparents'bedroomtodiaperher.
WhenSusancamebackintothelivingroom, .
