By Richard Mabey Jr.
One of the dearest and most precious memories of my childhood, is that Grandma and Grandpa Mabey lived with us in the old Mabey Homestead in Lincoln Park. As you looked at the old farmhouse, my bedroom was on the right-hand side, looking out to West Drive on the side. Grandma and Grandpa’s bedroom was right behind my bedroom.
I was eight years old, during the Summer of 1962, and had just completed the third grade at dear old Chapel Hill School. I remember how much Grandpa loved to take a morning walk down Mabey Lane and then follow the forest path to the banks of the old Morris Canal. For it was there that that Grandpa worked with his father, when he was a boy, at the old Mabey Icehouse.
As a boy, I often walked that wooded path with my grandfather, Watson Mabey. Grandpa would hold my hand. As we walked among the maple and the elm and the oak, Grandpa would tell me about the “Majestic Buck” who walked the forest acres, along the length and breadth of the old Morris Canal. Grandpa would tell me that any man who looked the Majestic Buck, square in the eye, was a marked man, destined to be given a gift from the Divine Spirit of God.
It was during one of the walks, along the wooded trail, that Grandpa and I saw the Majestic Buck, standing tall and proud, just a few yards from us. I was eight years old at the time. What was about to transpire would leave an indelible mark upon my heart, mind and inner being. The Majestic Buck began to walk toward Grandpa and I. Grandpa stood still and told me to do the same.
This wonderfully mystical being walked right up to Grandpa and me, just a few feet away from us. The proud deer threw his head back, his antlers seeming to reach to the heavenly skies. The Majestic Buck then lowered his head and walked just one or two steps closer to Grandpa and me. Then this frightening, immensely proud and self-assured wild creature looked me straight in the eye. I remember inwardly shuttering.
The Majestic Buck then threw his head back once again, as if to say goodbye to Grandpa and I. I remember the proud deer then turned about and totted off into the distant forest. Grandpa simply said to me, “Dicky Jim, you’re a marked man.” I remember Grandpa’s voice was soft and reverent and solemn. For in that moment in time, something stirred within the deepest chambers of my heart.
Now at 71, I find myself thinking more and more about that sacred moment that I shared with Grandpa and the Majestic Buck. And I find myself dreaming about that dear and sacred event of my childhood.
In many ways, I think that God used the Majestic Book as an instrument to bless me. For I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. This cherished gift, on loan from God, of putting words down on paper has infinitely blessed me. It gave me a way to make a living. It blessed me with the golden opportunity to touch the hearts of other people.
My dear friends, find your purpose. Find your sacred gift. Find your calling of God. Pour your heart, mind and soul into the very gift that God has loaned unto you. Find your unique purpose for this gift of life. Love one another. Forgive, forgive and forgive those who have done you wrong. Simply put, truly realize that the most powerful force on Planet Earth is to love one another.Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has recently had two books published. He currently hosts a YouTube Channel entitled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard may be contacted at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.