Calvert! Help me!

Over the years, a husband and wife create many memories together. Some of these memories are good and are gladly shared. Others are private and personal and should be kept confidential within the hearts and memories of the husband and wife. Then there are memories that are meant to be saved and shared with posterity.

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Every couple faces challenges, frustrations, happy times as well as the sad times and we remember them. We remember the times that are comical and those times that are embarrassing. This story falls into the latter category of being comical now but also embarrassing for my first wife, Carol. This is one of those stories that lives in family lore and eventually finds its place among the extended family history.

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​Ever since the beginning of time when city people visited the country, country people have had fun laughing at the things city folks do whenever they visit the country. This memory fits nicely into that category.

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This story describes one of the most interesting experiences I remember from my time in Star Valley, Wyoming. It occurred many years ago in August when our son Paul was nearly 3 years old. We were visiting my grandfather prior to moving to Knoxville, Tennessee where I would be a graduate student at the University of Tennessee. During this particular visit we were sitting in Grandpa’s front room visiting with several relatives. Paul was a bit fussy and so Carol decided to take him outside for a walk and show him some of the sights of the farm. The rest of us stayed in the house enjoying the conversation when, out from nowhere we heard someone yelling, “Help! Calvert, help us! Hurry!”

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This scream was loud and sounded like there was a serious problem. Everyone in the room jumped up and ran outside concerned and wondering what the problem was and why Carol was screaming. What we saw when we got outside shocked us, surprised us, and amazed us. In fact, for just a moment we were paralyzed not being able to react and all we could do was stare. We couldn’t believe what we saw. No one knew quite how to react until my dad came to the rescue.

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When we got outside, we saw Carol and Paul standing in the back of Grandpa Cazier’s old pickup truck screaming and shaking with fear. Surrounding the truck were 5 or 6 calves who were just standing, minding their own business. Carol was convinced that she and Paul were in serious danger, and she was screaming, the calves congregating around the truck were looking at the two city slickers and wondering what all the excitement was about.

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My dad reacted faster than anyone by walking up to those calves, loudly clapping his hands, and yelling, “BOO!” It startled the calves, and they immediately took off running. 

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Carol and Paul were saved from those mean and dangerous animals. Those who witnessed this event had a good laugh. From this misadventure, I have a great story and Carol will be forever remembered in the Cazier family history.

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The best part of this story is that Carol had a sense of humor and once she got over the surprise, she started laughing at herself and the situation along with the rest of us. She didn’t take it personally nor was she offended. She was embarrassed and saw the humor and told the story herself many times and always laughed when we talked about it. 

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Humor and the ability to recognize situations in our lives that may be worthy of a laugh is a skill we should be grateful for and help our children develop. It can save them a lot of grief and frustration. Besides, it's always good to laugh with mom and dad.