He was now fighting bad men so that we could be free. This handsome man helped me take my first step when I reached the age of one, and then he was gone. I would lie awake at night, and pray that God would take care of my daddy, and send him home to take care of my mother, sisters and brothers, and, more importantly, me. I can close my eyes today, and still smell the smoke coming from my grandfather's pipe. This was a special day for me sitting beside this big gentleman, my grandfather. He was a substitute for Dad for us, making a clicking sound with his mouth to keep the horse going. I watched with amazement wondering how he could do this, and still keep the ever-present pipe between his teeth. The horse obeyed his utmost command, which made me feel so safe and so loved. Still, it did not compensate for that handsome man in the picture frame whom I wanted to hold and hug me so badly. As Grandpa and I turned into a narrow lane that day long ago, I saw, sitting before me, the unfinished structure of a small, three- bedroom house. There were no shingles on it as yet, and I looked through the boards. While Grandpa held me in his arms, I nuzzled my face into his neck, loving the tickle of his moustache against my face. For the first time, I was seeing the little house that would be a part of me for the rest of my life. While Grandpa worked on the house that day, I chased butterflies, basking in the sunshine, and enjoying the warm breeze. My carefree childish thoughts were far removed from the land that had taken my Dad away. Later that year, we moved into our new little house in Bear River North. Once again, as in our previous home, and sitting in the place of honour, was the picture of this handsome man in the picture frame. One day, our grandfather came to our house and when we ran to 127