I knew a tall, burly man who drove a milk truck, a cow painted on the side, perhaps a red medallion. Twice a week or so he’d leave milk at the doorstep, white or chocolate or butter in glass bottles. Sometimes cottage cheese and butter. On special occasions ice cream striped in pink, white and brown. I knew a man, he’d deliver groceries, when need be, thick sliced garlic bologna, bread, and penny candy. Sometimes the bill was placed on a tab. I knew a woman she brought miniature lip sticks and powder compacts for my mother to examine. She’d leave small catalogs from which to order. Soap on a rope for me to bath with. I knew a man, he dropped off the mail everyday about the same time regardless of the weather. If you left pennies in the mailbox, he’d leave the stamps you needed. I knew a man who drove a big yellow Chevy bus blaring Lujack in the morning from WLS Chicago from the radio every morning and Johnny Cash from the tape player most every afternoon. He delivered me to school for years. I knew a man and a woman, who drove a van in the summertime, full of library books so little country boys and girls would be encouraged to read. I knew a well-dressed man who came every month to collect a payment, but mainly just to visit. He’d marked a small insurance booklet and back into a paper sleeve it would go until the next month. I know a woman, with a house full of kids, going to university to become a teacher, she was selling brushes and other household necessities. I knew a man, a big, robust fellow, the teacher to be father, who’s truck had a tank that was used to bring us water for our cistern. I know a woman, met decades ago, while picking blackberries at Alfie Greene’s. clear as day sitting in her two-tone Chevy pickup truck asking us about our haul; she became my mother’s best friend. I knew a man, who preached on Sunday, lived by faith during the week, and visited my grandparents who could not attend HIS house. I knew a man who loved me and raised me and made me what I am today. I knew a woman who birthed me and nourished me and loved me unconditionally. I know a woman who wed me to share a life together in the good and not so good times, to return the love I have for her. I know a man, an invisible and incarnate man, who is much more than a mere man. A man who has walked beside me nearly fifty-five years and has never failed me. And, when I die, I’ll rest well for I know the Man.
There was a time when folk would come your way, come into your life, you didn’t have to seek them out. I know of one who still does, perhaps he’ll be at your door just a knocking and knocking for you to welcome him in.
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