Pa’s Wisdom
Things Pa says (that usually turns out to be true)
Pa ain't a educated man, he can't read or write much, but he's the smartest person I know when it comes to living off the land and understanding people. He's got a way of saying things that stick with you, like burrs on a wool shirt. You might not understand'em right away, but give it time, and they'll make sense.
I started writing down the things Pa says so I wouldn't forget 'em. Some are about growing up, some about the woods, some about Ma, some about life and death. Here's the ones that matter most to me.
- Jody
★ FEATURED WISDOM ★
"You can't keep nothing permanent in a changing world, Jody.
Not people, not critters, not even the land itself. The best
you can do is love 'em while you got 'em, and remember 'em after."
-Pa (Penny)
I'm putting this one at the top because it's the hardest one to swallow. Pa said this after we lost the shoats to Old Slewfoot. I was crying about the pigs, and he put his hand on my shoulder and said this. I didn't understand it then. I'm starting to now.
"Every creature's got a right to live, same as us. But sometimes living means hard choices. That's the way of the scrub."
-Pa (Penny)
"Your Ma's wrong about one thing. A boy's got a right to kick up his heels a while. The day'll come, he'll not even care to."
-Pa (Penny)
"There ain't nothing to be ashamed of in being scared, Jody. A brave man ain't one who ain't scared. He's one that does what needs doing even when he is scared."
-Pa (Penny)
"Be patient with your Ma, son. She's lost more than you'll ever know. Loving you is the bravest thing she does."
-Pa (Penny)
"A man's got to work, Jody. But if he can find joy in his work, he ain't really working at all."
-Pa (Penny)