Moxie
Posted: Sunday, June 01, 2008
by MJNewell
Moxie worked on our farm for many years. He was paid very little , subjected to verbal and physical abuse by my father every day he lived there. He was screamed at, kicked and often subjected to the cattle prod..
When I was a child, I often got into scrapes and got hurt. It was Moxie who was always there to rescue me. And he always cried harder than I did. He was firm but gentle when I was doing something I shouldn't, and always watched out for all us kids.
I remember one Christmas my father gave me two dollars to buy presents.. I spent the whole two dollars on a nice warm pair of wool socks for Moxie. it seemed Moxie was always cold or hungry. My father was furious as I had bought nothing for him..He took the socks away from Moxie, said they belonged to him and Moxie could have his old socks. Moxie never said a word, just got up and went out to the barn. I was devastated and never could forgive my father for that among other cruelties.
When I was twelve, Moxie moved in with another family that had six small children thirty miles away. I saw him twice after he moved. The first time he was sitting in a chair on the lawn of that family's home and little kids were crawling all over him. He looked happy and well cared for. He had became a nanny to all those little ones. The second time he was at a gas station in the town I had moved to after I got married.. He asked me how my mother was , tears streaming down his face. I know he missed us...
My father tried to get him to come back, but he stubbornly refused. The only time in his life he ever stood up for himself. I was proud of him. his new family treated him good and he was much loved. He lived there until he died at age seventy seven.
I wish that I could have told Moxie that Ii loved him before he died, but I didn't even know about love until many years later ...Moxie was the best Dad I ever had....
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)hi MJNewell, this was a well written, interesting and touching story. it seems you were very lucky to have moxie in your life, and vice versa. thanks for sharing such warm memories, and keep writing, best regards, sue thom
I loved it! A great story! I look forward of more of what you have to say. How about adding a photo?
Hi Mj, this is a wonderful story.What a wonderful gift Moxie was to you and his new additions. Seems Moxie was blessed as well to have been given many kids to care for. thanks for sharing a heart warming story. Blessings to you. Teresa
MJ, I'm glad you were blessed to have Moxie in your life. From the story of your Christmas gift to him, I'm sure he knew you loved him.
I remember Moxie - always wondered how he got his name. He was such a quiet, unassuming soul - and he always seemed much older than he actually was. You have described him beautifully, MJ. I loved your tribute.
being a dad has nothing to do with having sex and being a partner in creating a life. No being a dad reaches far past any of that which many in this society demand simply because frankly, they had sex. It is all about what they have done or failed to do. Simple by their works shall you know them. yes the title dad is not one so easily handed out. Thanks and something many never understand. Best wishes.
I need to know more about Moxie! How old was he? How did he get onto your farm? Was their mental disability? Lack of information made the story unsatisfying to me.Moxie was the hired hand,,he ran the farm ..I don;t know how old he was, he always looked old..he was not mentally or physically disabled, just very poor. I guess he had no where else to go so he came to us...I wrote the story as a snapshot ..a piece of my memory if you will...OK? Mary Jane
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