Elbert Dean Sr., 1940
Porter Place, Merkel, Texas
Probably talking to someone on the porch, Elbert Sr. is facing the house on the Porter place. Mom always had so many beautiful flowers.
With seven older sisters, Junior had fun with the girls' boyfriends. Tying the front gate shut (shown at left) after the boys came to pick up their dates was a favorite. The boys didn't mind; the guy had to pick up his date and set her over the tied gate. (dad's recollection)
I would tag along at age 6 while Dad picked cotton. He didn't expect me to pick, so I played with bugs, worms, etc. That fall, Mildred and I had somewhat of a fight. I began to cry about it there in the field by dad's side. He asked why I was crying. I said Mildred and I had a fight, and I was so sorry about it. Dad said, "Forgive her." I remember asking him what forgiveness meant. He said, "Punk, it's like this: I heard Margaret reading the story to you little ones last night about "The Little Train that Could." ...When you forgive her you say, "I think I can. I think I can." Then you will see that you, "Thought you could." And in happiness you can now say, "I knew I could, I knew I could," and all is well. And it was for me." (memories by Maureen Dean Jaynes)