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Date Published: 04-07-2025
Publisher: RiverPlace Press
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Darrell J. Pedersen thoughtfully examines the value of human history,
traditions, memories, and relationships and reiterates the importance of
preserving and faithfully passing these along to the next generation. Through
a collection of essays and the retellings of his early days as a son, brother,
husband, and father, Pedersen shows readers that we all have been gifted these
irreplaceable stories by those who came before us. These remembered stories
will work to keep the thread of storytelling alive while passing down the
life-giving flames of laughter, human community, and hope to our children and
future generations. Using a blend of wisdom, humor, reflection, and life
stories in Minnesota, Pedersen expertly weaves a book that is both a
memoir/collection of essays and a celebration of life.
A hairy arm, plaid flannel sleeve rolled up, extended out of the pickup window
and held high a fist with middle finger raised. A week before Christmas, at
the end of the tumultuous year 2020, I was headed for the dump. Driving where
four lane transitions to two, loud rumbling acceleration of an engine caught
my attention. There he is, up ahead of me in the right lane, a big pickup.
Speeding up, he slid in front of a small car. That’s when I spotted his
obscene gesture. What, I wondered, did that other driver do to earn that
reaction? Drawing close behind the little car, I spotted the offense. This
little old lady had made the mistake of sporting a small presidential campaign
sticker in her back window. I guessed giving her the finger was a victory for
him.
Witnessing this attack on humanity by a bearded young man in a big pickup
caused me to reflect on his place in our society and world. I thought about
the large number of bearded young men I had lately witnessed in televised
protests, a few packing assault rifles. Some, recently, shouted obscenities at
me and others for standing in silent support of Black Lives Matter. I
wondered, has this whole generation been lost? But then I recalled, my own son
is bearded and drives a noisy, old jeep, and he’s currently using his
vocational skills to put together a virtual Christmas Eve service for his
church.
That was Friday. Today, Monday, my wife and I pulled into a long line outside
Burger King. I immediately took notice of the young man ahead of us in the
row. He was driving an old pickup, paint peeling off and rusty jagged holes in
its fenders. Seeing him watching us in his mirror, I wondered if he was
another of these young ruffians.
Behind us, a brand new, red Jeep slipped into line. In my mirror I saw another
young man driving. I noted huge tires, winch, fancy mirrors, decals, all the
options. Lots of money for that one, I thought. I wonder what kind of a job he
has? I never had money to buy something like that when I was his age. I
don’t have money to buy something like that even at age 68.
A long wait; we were one car back now. The young driver in the rusty pickup
carried on an extended conversation with the window person whose hand held the
outstretched plastic tub awaiting payment. Is he hassling that poor cashier?
Finally, he put his credit card in the tub, received his food, and drove away.
Our turn. The twenty-something man in the window, masked, said, “Your
meal has already been paid for. The fellow ahead of you took care of your
bill.”
“What?”
He repeated. Bill paid. Young man in the pickup truck. $17.84.
“Well, can I pay for the people behind me?”
“Yes, if you want to.”
“Yes, please, let me pay for their bill.” His bill. I remembered;
it was the young fellow in the expensive Jeep. I handed the cashier my credit
card and he rang it up.
“How much was it?”
“Just over three bucks.”
“Well, can I pay for the next car too?”
“Sure.”
“How much is that one?”
“That one is $24.95.”
“Okay, thanks, that will be just fine.”
Bill paid. Food delivered. Credit card returned. Ready to coast away, I looked
my young fellow in the eye and offered, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas and God bless you,” he replied.
“And God bless you too,” I said to one of my new young friends at
Burger King.
Five young men just before Christmas in 2020. Pandemic, political strife,
racism. So much trouble all around. Five young men and an old guy. Maybe
there’s still hope.
Darrell J. Pedersen was raised in the 1950-60s, on a little lake in
Minnesota’s North Woods. He grew up and moved away, but his heart has
never left that place. His family, the lake, woods, and critters that embraced
his young life taught him to appreciate today and to be hopeful for tomorrow.
He learned to care for the creation and the neighbor. To leave the world a
little better place than he found it.
Since retirement, he has published his first memoir/collection of essays,
Campfire in the Basement: Reflections from a North Woods Lake. One year later,
Who Will Carry the Fire? More Reflections from a North Woods Lake is now in
your hands. Both books include real life stories of everyday people living one
day at a time in a challenging, yet amazing world. Hard work, laughter, tears,
wins and losses. He believes you will find your story here too. Darrell and
his wife, Jennifer, live in Baxter, Minnesota.
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