There are seventy-five years
of distance between me,
and the black and white photograph
of a little boy on a rope swing.
My father, Richard,
made this rope swing;
tied to a high tree branch,
sturdy and strong like he was.
My mother, Lillian,
who took the photo in 1951,
said I was a shy and quiet little boy.
I would like to get
inside his head.
I would like
to give him a push.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan
for Sarah D'Amico
He carried her around the house,
from window to window,
pointing out things to view.
And with a small,
three-year-old finger,
Sarah pointed too.
And repeated the words she
heard from her daddy:
"tree, flower, bird".
At age five he carried her
into the family canoe on the Flat River;
counting turtles on the rocks and logs.
He ran beside her at seven,
as she wavered and learned
to ride a two-wheeler.
He picked her up in high school
when she was exhausted from
track and cross-country practice.
He brought her to college;
University of Michigan,
and praised her for good grades.
And brought her home, age twenty,
that tragic November,
when her only brother died.
He said, "Goodbye, I'll miss you,"
when she left home to explore her life;
Hawaii, California, Utah, Colorado.
He applauded her guitar music,
as she wrote her own songs
and shared her smooth voice.
He carried her in his prayers
every time he thought of her
making a positive impact in the world.
His eyes teared each time he read her
sweet notes in homemade Father's Day cards,
always ending with:
"I Love You Daddy!"
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Platte River - Honor, Michigan
I've carried nineteen years of memories
for twenty-eight years.
Counting his beginning steps at six months,
then, as a toddler, his trusting little hand
holding my finger as we walked outside together.
Playing in Lake Michigan
at four years old.
Soothing his hurts from early spills
on his bike at six years.
Estimating the length of the bass we caught
in the Grand River when he was fourteen.
Worrying the hours while waiting for him
to return home; driving at sixteen.
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Timing the miles during Forest Hills Central
Track and Cross Country meets at seventeen.
Calculating his climbs while hiking with Ross Peterson
on the Appalachian Trail at eighteen.
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Crying the tears over his death
in November of nineteen ninety-four.
Saying the prayers at his gravestone
when I'm forty-six, or seventy-four.
Carrying years of memories up the slopes;
memories as permanent as mountains.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
End Note:
This year Aaron would be 47. Born on April 2, 1975.
I was 46 when he died at age 19, on November 20, 1994.
Photo Locations:
1. First Home - Cascade, Michigan - Photo by Mary Havenga
2. Lake Michigan - Charles Mears State Park - Pentwater, Michigan
3. Mom & Dad's Farm - Ada, Michigan
4. East Grand Rapids
5. Appalachian Trail National Park - Photo by Ross Peterson
6. West Elk National Wilderness Area - Colorado
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| Left: my Grandfather - Peter Draugalis Sr. Right: my Father - Richard John Havenga |
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| On the oars: My Grandfather. On the 6 HP Elgin: My Father |
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| Richard Havenga ("Dickie" @ 7 years old) with "Jumbo Perch" (14") July, 1955 |
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| Sarah's gift to Mom and Dad - Christmas 1995 |
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| My Journal: cover page - April 2, 1975 |
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| My Journal: first page of text; April 2, 1975 |
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| Early Volumes: 1975 -1980 |
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| The volumes accumulate: 1975 - 1991 |
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| November 20, 1994 |
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| The years roll on: 1992 - 2007 |
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| Aaron and Sarah "helping" Dad in the garden. |
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| Sarah and Aaron: family fun at Lake Michigan beach. |
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| Six volumes since retirement: 2008 - present. |
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| 12 of 28 shelves in our Library. |
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| Hand-made Father's Day card, and birthday cards from Sarah. |
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| Dedication page of Sarah's booklet to Mom and Dad. |
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| Aaron made an impact through his love of life, his life of love. |
