Over the last 5 years, I’ve spent thousands of hours researching and writing “The Penny,” and while it continues in review, there is sad news: “Frank,” who in real life is my father-in-law, Henry “Bud” Harper, is dying; so, I am officially mourning before death. He is under the care of hospice and his family, and my emotions ebb and flow throughout the day as I wrestle with reactions to his impending death. Bud is quiet and lying in a hospital bed in his living room, and I wonder what traverses his mind. What may make him grimace or smile? What parade of scenes and portfolio of memories gravitate from the synapses as one closes out 92 years? He is at home with memorable scents, with memorable voices around him, and the aura of comfort surrounded by a familiar four walls. His family visits. They chat and watch while reminiscing through travels and travails of life around the world with their Air Force Colonel father. Next to him, I imagine
there’s a picture of Penny, his wife of 59 years, who held court whenever she was in the room. And she’s there with him, now. Nestled in his thoughts, she glances up from the pool table at the Red Dragon in Kansas City. She laughs loudly behind a babuska and sunglasses while driving with no windshield through France and Germany. There are tears when she reviews her grave-site at Andersonville prior to her death. Then there is her lifeless body next to him when she passed in her sleep some 9 years ago. He wishes the same. The alarm clock he’s set for years won’t go off one morning and he’ll know he’s passed next to Penny. The children will carry forth both spirits, and the life of Bud and Penny Harper will never be forgotten for generations to come. Through some of the most difficult and ever-changing times of history, they persevered to raise a family that exists in love and togetherness. My grief will extend and my love of “The Penny” will grow stronger. I only hope the world will come to know the story. Peace, Bud. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
Mourning Before Death: The Penny
November 5, 2017
stewert james
The Author
An author with a story. Living in a quiet Northern Michigan community, nestled into a serene Lake Michigan bay, James writes to the rhythms of current events mixed with romanticism and experience that can only be found by living the same adventures. Whether it’s a provocative story line or blog, this website will certainly take you beyond the keyboard.
We were always very happy when Uncle Bud and Penny (with his kids) came back from the “Air Force” to Oil City. He will be missed by the our family.
By the way: you can see much about Uncle Bud, online, at Ancestry.com. His father and grandfather were established in the explosives and related oil drilling businesses throughout western PA from 1860 through 1930. The Harper Family, emigrated from Northern Ireland to Harvard, MA area(not the University) before Revolutionary War. GGGGF John Harper was at battle of Bunker Hill. The Harper’s moved to the Niagara Falls area, then down through western NY to Western PA. My GGF A G Harper, Bud’s grandfather, settled in Kaneville/Petroleum Centre, PA. The Harper Home is still standing along Harper Road. His GGF, Gaylord V Harper, died in Lorain County, OH. Our GGM Nancy Dow Harper died in Minnesota. The Harpers continued to the west coast, leaving family members along the way, including Colorado. Very interesting history. Bud’s grandfather wanted to mine minerals. He actually visited CO in 1888 but returned to Oil City. A number of Harper’s died in the Los Angeles area.
Thank you, Michael, that’s great history! Sorry for your family’s loss.
Uncle Bud will be missed! God Bless him, he is with his wife Penny and his Brothers and Sisters now.
Rest in peace, Uncle Bud. The last of your generation of Henry and Eulala. I am Rose Mary’s daughter. She was Bud’s sister born in 1923, Oct 30. My brother, Jim, is in Lehigh Acres, Fl. I am in Fort Washington, Md. I will miss the pictures you have posted of Uncle Bud’s life after Penny’s death.