[Smittoh]

I remember when I was four I chased a cat into the woods (we lived on 20+ acres). I kept going further and further and got lost and was crying. Finally I heard my father hollar. STOP! Stay right where you are and keep calling out to me. Gradually dad got closer and closer.

He found me and when we got back to the yard close to the house mom was standing there with a rifle.

Years later I found out my mom had repeatedly told my dad to do something about part of the woods where there was a bog of "quick sandlike area". When she found out I went out into the woods she told my dad to go get me and if he didn't she would kill him with that rifle.

My mom was a deadon shot. She meant it and my dad knew it. I didn't know it but years later I have no doubt if I hadn't come back there would have been two less members of the family.......