The Love of a Father

When I left on my LDS mission to Ecuador in October 1975 my dad wasn't feeling well, but we just thought it was something like the flu. Because he didn't seem to be getting better, the doctors continued to do some testing. In April I was called from Quevedo to the mission home in Quito and was told that my father had cancer, and they were only giving him 6 months to live. I was devastated. My mission president, President Heward, said that the area president had discussed my situation and felt that I should stay in the mission field. Needless to say, I spent a sleepless night--crying and praying and praying and crying. How was I going to tell my father that I wasn't coming home? He was not even LDS. How would he ever understand? Before I could call him the next morning, my dad called me. He told me that I needed to stay right where I was. I am writing this account 39 years later, and I am crying as I write this because of the great love and sacrifice of my father. He did die, as the doctors predicted, in October 1976. I anxiously wait for the day I can see him again! 

I've Been Working On The Railroad

It was actually this song that Uncle Joe taught me--although he may have taught me Oh Susannah, too.  :)

First Songs

One of the first songs I ever learned and memorized was Oh, Susannah.  It was Uncle Joe (Anna Agatha Kennedy McCauley's son) who taught it to me. 


The other song Uncle Joe taught me was Take Me Out to the Ball Game. 

Conconully Memory

At Uncle Wayne and Aunt Margaret Dow's home at Conconully State Park, the kitchen table was at a large window that overlooked Conconully Lake--beautiful view.  My dad--Daniel Henry McCauley--would sit at that table for hours and just look out of that window.  My grandmother and I would sit at that table and play Canasta.  Grandma Mac was the one who taught me to play Canasta so I was quite excited when I would win periodically.  Uncle Jack was a wicked cribbage player, and I can remember playing cribbage with him (and my dad) numerous times at that table. 

Grandma McCauley in Conconully

When I was a young child Grandma McCauley (Anna Agatha Kennedy) lived in Conconully, Washington for a time.  I loved her old little house and had so much fun visiting her there.  She had a garden, and I can remember helping her wash the produce from her garden.  My dream was to marry Greg Ledgerwood (the Ledgerwoods were close friends of the McCauley family and related to Joe McCauley--Anna's son-- through Joe's first marriage) and live in that house when I grew up.  That dream was shattered when the house was demolished before I grew up and I obviously, didn't marry Greg.