I would like to continue with our lives as young kids and men from the thrashing fields. Our life was very slow and simple. But our slow simple life was sliding behind us as changes came fast for everyone at this time.

One memory of our childhood was when Old Angel, our much loved dog, died. I’ve been to funerals for people that were not as well attended as that one. I pulled Angel in state in our red Radio Flyer wagon to Grandad Goin’s house, accompanied by weeping brothers, sisters, cousins, and neighbors. We had a high funeral for Angel complete with Bible readings, hymns, flowers from many gardens and a heartfelt sermon delivered with many tears by me. Burial was under the small pecan tree north of the house. Grandad Goin always supervised interment for us by digging the grave. This was wise, as we buried anything we found dead, as well as family pets. It seemed quite normal to us that the Goin family was buried at Belew cemetery and Goin pets were buried at Grandad Goin’s house.

We kids rather enjoyed our pet funerals. We were allowed to plan them, and afterwards, Grandma Goin could always be relied on for sugar cookies.

So Angel became a real dog angel, but dogs Peggy and Old Bob were coming along and making good skunk and possum dogs. However, our hunting trips were slowing down and getting fewer. Looking back from this year 2000, I realize what a wonderful and blessed life our family had and still has. God’s great love for our family is most certainly evident as we feel him whittling away at our generation as we greet our grandchildren. We can only hope their childhood will be filled with the joy and kindness that ours was, and that they will be happy grandparents.

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