Dad would also give me horsey rides. You know what a horsey ride is of course. Take one child, place him or her on your shoulders and have a blast. I also remember him teaching me how to get my own “horseshoes.” Step on an empty drink can so your shoe gets wedged in and clunk away.

And I almost forgot to mention that Dad gave me my first lesson in astronomy, taking me out one night, and pointing out the Big and Little Dippers.

Then, good old grandpa would do a few things with me, one of which I pass on to the generations after me–whisker rubs. For whisker rubs, if I was barefooted, grandpa would grasp my leg and swiftly move the beard stubble on his chin back and forth on the bottom of my foot. Yeeha!

Into the Internal

Much of what I have said in this segment so far has been what was external, what was outside of me that laid foundations in my life. It might, or might not strike, a harmonious note with you.

However, one thing we all have in common is our sin nature. From the time we are conceived, the nature of Adam influences us and eventually dominates us.

For example, if you have brothers or sisters you know very well that usually there is undue teasing and trouble that occurs.

Image from the author’s personal collection

Well, I don’t know if I got this from watching TV or not, but I am the only one to blame. Pat, Mom and I would sometimes walk in Van Vorst Park at Montgomery Street and Jersey Avenue. Above, you see my Mom at Erie Street. I remember at that time Van Vorst Park had at least one somewhat centralized gazebo and, from what I see on Google Earth, it still does. Also, some, if not all of its perimeter, except for the pathways of course, had a small raised, rounded top wall which was fun (and probably still is fun) to walk on when I was young.

Image from the author’s personal collection

Mom took some pictures. Above is me in the central gazebo. I have one of Pat and I holding hands walking in the park, and when I find it I will post it on the Peace in Providence index.

Just after Mom took the picture of Pat and I, we walked apiece with Pat holding my hand, but my boyish pride did not like that so I hauled off and kicked her hard in the knee. Of course I am terribly sorry for that now.

At that time I was also a fan of the Mickey Mouse club. I had a Mousekateer hat. I remember on one show they told us not to smoke. Well, my Dad would sometimes smoke a pipe. Out of willful disobedience, I took a little puff from it when no one was looking.

And I am sure you probably did things like that too. I just related those incidents to point out we are all sinners by nature, even as children. We all need a Savior.

The sin nature is a dominate foundation in every life. Other foundations laid with it are either of like nature or, if they are neutral or even good, they often become tainted by the sin nature.

These are just some of the things that influenced me while living in Jersey City. Around the time I was four, my parents told me we were moving to Kearny. In my little mind I thought we were moving out into the country.

Kearny would be the place I would be raised, and where I would be strongly influenced by the Roman Catholic Church and venture into satanism. It would also be where I was arrested.

I do not wish to belabor the point. I have left many personal things out which I will eventually share with my sons and their families. For now, I am being concise, but all that I am telling you now will help you to more clearly understand what unspeakable peace came over me when I finally committed my life to Christ.

Please check the Peace in Providence index for the next segment.