A Lifetime to Celebrate

A Lifetime to Celebrate

By

Katherine Duhon

Copyright 2014 Katherine Duhon

Smashwords Edition

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Preface

Having been exiled from their homeland and defying the elements of nature, the Acadians traveled from Nova Scotia to South Louisiana where they started new lives and celebrated the important events in their lives.

As we embrace these celebrations, we are enriched and blessed by the values, the traditions, and the customs of our people, forever.

Laisser les bon temp rouler (let the good times roll) is the phrase heard by visitors who come to our area to enjoy our culture. It’s all about enjoying life to its fullest.

Chapter 1

Let the Good Times Roll

January, 1931

Where have all the years gone? whispered Madeline, staring at the big oak tree from her bedroom window. Its large green canopy shaded the yard, and its large branches reached towards the window as though to say farewell. The stately oak tree stood as a survivor of the times and held the memories of the past Richard celebrations, triumphs, and hardships. The years have flown and left great memories, thought Maddie.

It was her wedding day, June 7, 1944, and the beginning of a new journey she and Michael would enjoy together. As she stood at the window, memories reeled like the scenes of a movie, beginning with the day Big Red and she had their scuffle under the big oak tree.

Ummmm, c’est bon, Grandpere! exclaimed Madeline as she darted her index finger through the thick, black molasses that her grandfather poured over the hay for the animals. As a typical six-year-old, she loved being outdoors and helping her grandfather with the barnyard chores. The house was much too confining for an energetic child as Maddie.

Maddie, where are de eggs? called Celia, her mother, from the porch.

I’m comin, Mama! she yelled, rushing to the house. She was preoccupied with feeding the cows and forgot to pick the eggs.

Did you pick all de eggs? asked Celia.

No, because I was in the barn helping Grandpere with de chores, she answered. She ran into the house to get the egg basket and headed for the chicken coop.

As Maddie reached the gate to the chicken coop, she got a glance of Big Red, the rooster, as it pecked the chicken feed on the ground under the big oak tree. He was a big, feisty bird with red feathers and a long black tail, strutting and scratching the ground, as though he was the king of the coop. He usually flew out of the way when Maddie came around, but today, he went about his business, ignoring her presence. Insulted by Red’s attitude, Maddie decided to have a little fun with the rooster. She picked up a long, thin branch and proceeded to point and jab it in his direction.

Dance! Pick up yuh feet, you big bird! she yelled, poking the rooster with the branch.

She laughed and took a fencing position, hopping back and forth, as though she and the rooster were rivals in a jousting match.

Pock, pock, pock! yelled the rooster in a high pitch sound. He lifted his wings and jumped back a few steps, moving away from Maddie.

She assumed her position again and pointed the branch in the rooster’s direction. Pock, pock, pock! she yelled, mocking the rooster. As she lunged again, the rooster’s feathers rose from his neck, his wings reached out from his sides and he charged at her, taking her by surprise. Realizing that Red was angry, she dropped the branch and the basket of eggs, spun like a top, and ran for the gate. He chased her, flapping his wings and clucking in a high pitch. Her heart raced with the pace of her feet. She flew through the gate and headed for the house, as the rooster kept pace on her heel. When she reached the house, she dodged to the ground and rolled under it. The house sat on pillars that were high enough to allow Maddie to move around freely without hitting her head. When she stopped rolling and turned to look for Red, he grabbed her face, digging his claws into her skin. She swung her fist and hit him across the chest, sending him to the ground. He stumbled to his feet and straggled back to the coop.

Feeling something warm and wet, Maddie wiped her face and looked at the bright red blood on her hand. Eeeeeeee! she screamed and crawled to the edge of the house. I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding! she yelled, coming out from beneath the house. Celia and Pauline came running out of the house, startled by the sound of Maddie’s scream.

Maddie, what happened? called Celia, from the porch.

I’m bleeding! Dat crazy rooster chased me unda de house. When I turned around, he grabbed me on de face. I hit him and he ran away, she cried.

How many times did I tell you not to tease dat rooster? You know how temperamental he is, said Celia. Come in de house so I can wash yuh face.

I didn’t pick de eggs. I was so scared dat I dropped de basket when Red came afta me. She cried louder as they walked back into the house.

Don’t worry, I’ll pick de eggs, said Celia, sympathetically. She wiped Maddie’s face with a clean cloth. Let’s put some medicine on dose scratches. You’re lucky dat he didn’t pull your eyes out. There were three scratches; one near her left eye, one between her eyebrows, and one near her chin.

Celia was very protective when it came to her children. She took her responsibilities as a mother seriously and doted over her children with great affection. Her beautiful face with its flawless, olive complexion was complimented by her dark, brown eyes and her long, brown hair that was braided and rolled tightly like a crown around her head. Her beauty was accented by her loving and warm personality. She was the daughter of Joe and Marie Broussard who lived down the road from the Richard’s. Having grown up near each other, she and Charles fell in love as teenagers, with the blessing of both families.

I promise not to tease dat rooster again, said Maddie, wiping her tears. Ouch! It stings. She squinted as her mother dabbed the medicine on the scratches.

Stop fidgeting, I’m almost finished, said Celia.When Celia was finished, Maddie went to her room to change clothes.

It was the end of the day and the men were finished with the farm chores for the day. Is dat gumbo? announced Desire’, walking through the door. I can smell the roux from de barn, he said, giving Pauline a big hug.

Desire’ was a loving father, grandfather, and patriarch of the family who spoiled his grandchildren, at the same time teaching them important values and lessons of life. He was the pillar of the family, the one everyone looked up to for advice and moral support. He had salt and pepper hair, and his tanned face was evidence of his years in the sun.

What happened to yuh face? asked Desire’," as he gently held Maddie’s chin.

Big Red and I had a tiff. I chased him with a stick, and he came afta me. I ran unda de house, and when I turned around, he grabbed me in de face, said Maddie, demonstrating how the rooster grabbed her face. Do you tink it’s gonna scar? she asked, pointing to the three scratches on her face.

Yeh, I tink dat you’ll have a few scars, but dey don’t look dat bad, answered Desire’.

Come help me fix de card table for de party tonight. They threw a bed sheet across the dining room table and stretched it around the corners for a tight fit so that the cards could slide easily across the table.

Charles and eight-year-old, Jean-Paul, came in from the field where they had been tilling the ground to plant spring vegetables. Charles was a very attractive man with a dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, and tanned skin. His looks were enhanced by his charming personality, a sense of humor, and a high moral character. He was a loving son, a devoted husband, and a caring father.

You expecting a full house tonight? asked Charles, giving Celia a hug.

Yes, Nonc Louis and his family, Marie and Henri, the Bourgeois’ and us. Get me the basket of lemons and help me squeeze dem for de lemonade," she asked.

Charles hurried to finish squeezing the lemons so he could go take a bath. As he passed the stove, he couldn’t resist lifting the lid on the gumbo pot. It smells good, Mama.

Merci. We’re having chicken and sausage gumbo, potato salad, French bread, and bread pudding for dessert, responded Pauline. "Marie is bringing de potato salad, Claudine is bringing de bread, and Lucille is bringing de bread pudding.

Mama, you can get ready to can a lot of vegetables dis spring. Jean-Paul and me planted a bigga garden dis year-plenty of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, okra, corn, snap beans, cantaloupes, and watermelons, said Charles.

Thank goodness! We’re almost finished wit last year’s vegetables. It’s time for a new batch, responded Pauline.

Pauline came from a long lineage of great cooks and hard workers, women who worked in the field, cooked the meals, and cleaned the house. Nothing pleased Pauline more than to have her family around the table, enjoying her food and each other’s company. She was also the manager of the farm records. She was very well organized and had always been quick with Math.

At six o’clock, guests started to arrive and by eight o’clock, everyone had eaten, and the children were in bed. The babies fell asleep to the motion of the rocker and the sweet sounds of a lullaby. With great chagrin, the older children were coaxed into their bed rolls; the girls in the bedroom downstairs and the boys in the upstairs bedroom. Putting the children to bed before the dance coined the phrase, fais-do-do (go to sleep.)

Mama, can I stay up for de dance? asked Maddie.

No, de dance is for de grownups, answered Celia, helping Maddie into her bedroll.

As soon as the mothers left the bedroom, curiosity drew the older children to the door to listen to the music and to watch the adults dance.

Music from the accordion, the