I just saw an article snippet and a short video about something that hit close to home for me. And the saddest part is how people only recently felt it was safe to tell someone about what they knew.
Here’s the news snippet: “A cold case is solved nearly 60 years later. The death of milkman Hiram Grayam, a Purple Heart recipient, haunted his children for decades. All these years later, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office says their prime suspect, Thomas Williams, died in 2016. People who knew him finally felt safe to come forward.”
Wow! It took 60 years for them to feel it was safe to tell someone what they knew.
The video I watched included the murdered milkman’s son. And the cut the media used was of him saying, “If you were 16 years old and they told you they found your dad’s body, in the woods, shot to death, how would anybody feel?” Yeah, it must’ve been a relief AND a shock to know people knew what happened but didn’t say anything for decades.
As I mentioned, that story hit mighty close to home for me. Because 60 years ago my Dad was a milkman. And I can’t imagine having to be told something like that about him.
Back then, I’d go to work with my Dad on Saturdays. He was a milkman for a long time. And that was at a time when milkmen would have to get up at 3 in the morning to be sure to have the milk delivered before breakfast for most of their customers. So, there was a lot of work in the wee hours before dawn.
And I remember carrying milk, eggs, cheese, etc. to the back of some fairly spooky-looking houses. Fortunately there weren’t many of those. Because most of Dad’s routes were in the neighborhoods where the original “right stuff” astronauts lived. But he did deliver to some customers who, let’s say, weren’t quite as well off as the space guys.
(Side note: I shared the story of the connection I made with ice cream and Neil Armstrong HERE)
I’m thankful my memories of Dad, the milkman, are nostalgic.
And I’m glad it’s always been safe to tell his story. Because that’s how life in a “free” country should be. Sadly, there are SO many people out there who don’t know what happened to their loved ones. And many, if not most, of them might never know this side of Heaven.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to watch out for yourself and your loved ones. Arm yourself, if you haven’t already. Be prepared to escalate fierceness if and when needed as others and/or circumstances won’t let you live peaceably among men.
Here’s the way I explained it to kids several years ago. Thankfully it’s still safe to tell them this:
When you wear the full armor of God,
You’ll be ready when the enemies attack.
You can’t see ’em, but beware, they are out there everywhere.
But with God’s help you can always fight them back.
And while you still can, be sure to get all my really refreshing Rhymes and Reasons the easy way. Just jump on the The FunderFlash. And I’ll send them directly to your inbox. Do it now, and you’re only a couple of clicks or taps away from some complimentary songs and some other surprises: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com
Stay tuned,
