A Toast to My Family

By Fred R. Morton (1882-1963)

   Written about 1950

Much time has passed since I looked across the church that Sabbath day, and say the profile of the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.  Yes, and much water has run under the bridge over which we passed on some of our evening walks.  Of course every one should consider this a little private meeting, and keep what he or she hear here under his or her bonnet.

I am thinking back to the days when our three boys were quite small, but were very active, and beginning to get into the swing of things.  I well remember that all the kids around our house and neighborhood used to consider CLINTON to be the number 1 high diver.  And owing to the fact that his mother was often so busy at her profession (that of nursing), and I busy at the Pumping Plant and machine repairing and installing, he became the number 1 overseer at home at times.

And WAYNE... Well I recall, that we had a very beautiful young milch cow.  She was nice to look at except when she was mad;  and that was every time that one tried to milk her.  We had purchased her from a party who had turned her out to pasture with her little calf to let the calf do the milking.  Because, of that she absolutely refused to let anyone else do the milking.

Well, we brought them home and tied her to the stall in the barn.  We soon found out that although she was so pretty and nice to look at, her feet were so light that it was impossible to keep them from getting into the milk bucket.  Of course we had to do something about that.  My remembrance of WAYNE at this time was that he took over.  With the aid of a couple of bracelets, which she word on her ankles, and a couple of light chains to snap into them, WAYNE was able to do the job with 100 percent efficiency.  Dad was relieved of all worry.  And, I do not remember of hearing him shout at her, or of seeing him strike at her even once.  And  the family always had plenty of good milk on hand.

VIRGIL?  Well, in his first and second year in school, it became evident that he was going to develop into some kind of artist.  His teacher had him bring home for us to see, some of his handiwork with the pencil.  I concluded that some day he perhaps might take up art work.  Which time he did, working for several years as a commercial artist.

Yes, there is one little instance which I cannot forget.  One day the teacher of his class asked the class a question.  She was making a point in her talk to them.  Her question was this: "Do any of you know any one who is a good worker, and who likes his work, and who stays with the work until the job is done?"  The teacher said in telling us of the incident later, that VIRGIL waved his hand high above his head.  The teacher then said,  "Well Virgil, who is the party?"  He answered, "My Dad."  Of course you know I couldn't forget that.

The the boys and our three girls have all grown to manhood and womanhood.  And each has excelled in what they have attempted to do.  Now, I am not recalling these things to flatter.  But, I am proud of my family.  And, I am proud of those who have joined us through marriage.  Why shouldn't it be?  Everyone knows they have shown good taste in doing so, and look what they have brought us.  I am proud of our Grandsons, and of our Granddaughters.  And of their sons and daughters, our great grandchildren.

I wish to note here, that children in their teens and before, reveal what they will be when they have grown to maturity.  Surely, in the case of our family, this has been so.   CLINTON, who proved himself capable of managing a yard full of youngsters, today is counted as more than a lead man at his profession of building construction.  For he has been given responsibility and has been asked to direct the work of other capable men.  I recall that he was given the oversight of the building of our fine Church at La Sierra which seats approximately 2500 people.  That recollection brings me pleasure.  He had an important part in the building of the temple for the Lord, overseeing the work from the foundation to the tiling of the roof.

WAYNE, who could control his temper while controlling and caring for a dumb animal , has been handling the blue-prints and directing intelligent men in the manufacture of much useful machinery.  The controls for that most wonderful machine, the helicopter, which allow it to change from a vertical motion to a horizontal and forward motion, were built by the company for which he has worked.  And any moment when he may drop into the shop unexpectedly, he finds the men busily working at their machines.  They give their best.  VIRGIL, who could visualize and produce on paper a likeness of many things, who worked for years as a commercial artist, has received the vision of being a helper to those who are looking for homes for their families (and Wayne now also).  Thus, helping both the buyer and the seller.  And he is becoming independent as a Real Estate Agent.  The wife of each is doing her part to further the success of each one.

Again to our three daughters.  Now, you don't want to tell this abroad.  But, in my way of thinking they may set the pace for many a one.  WINNIFRED excels as a model housekeeper.  She is a model mother, acknowledged so my many friends who turn to her for aid in handling their little problems.  The heart of BETH is full of music.  As a secretary she can make a typewriter sing, or hum.  ANNICE is not far behind, in the musical line.  She is a model woman, and I love her more than all the flowers on the wallpaper.  She is a lovelier hue.

In the first part of this little summary,  I mentioned the compliment that VIRGIL made to his Dad.  Now, I wish to pay a (similar) compliment---by mentioning a compliment that I heard made in a gathering of people---to the one who made this little talk and this gathering possible.  All the thanksgiving and praise is due to their MOTHER, for her work and example.  She undertook two great jobs, and carried them through to perfection.  She was so efficient in rearing her family of three girls and three boys.  The sick and the afflicted around town were helped by her hands.  She even going to adjoining places where there was need.  Old people were aided and comforted.  Children were nursed through attacks of measles, whooping cough, and various (other) ailments.  Middle aged persons were cared for an brought back to health (as well).

As to the compliment the I heard paid to her:  A certain prominent doctor one evening when he was addressing a Home Nursing class said, "Mrs.  Morton is as good as a trained nurse."  He could not have paid a greater compliment to her.  Let us think for a moment.  The trained nurse has had her years of class work and study.  She has had her years of work caring for her patients.  She is indeed an informed person standing on a level near that of the doctor.   Mother did not claim to be a trained nurse.  But the doctor said "Mrs. Morton is a as good as a trained nurse".  Her love for the work, her bravery, determination, and ability to decide and act in time of emergency made the doctor feel that he could make this statement of her and her work.  Remember, her was not saying this to me, or to a single, party but to a group of people.

Well, now folks, I have not mentioned these things to flatter.  We are taught in the scripture that man should not thing himself to be grater than he is.  But did not one of the Fathers in Israel in his closing days take stock of his family.  Of course all the good things that we do, all of the praiseworthy traits of character are under God and the praise is to him.  He has formed man and given him the breath of life.  Let us not be self sufficient, but let us lift up our heads and rejoice in Him.  And some day when Jesus swings the gates of heaven open and bids us enter, may we all be there.  "Loved ones need not look in vain for loved ones."