Who Knew?

Who knew in 1968 I was dating a future civil war novelist disguised as an electrical engineer. Not my mom in the second picture. Not Fairmont State College where Ron Cain was teaching and where we met. Not General Electric in Burlington Vermont where Dad had his first job in industry. Not General Electric in Roanoke Virginia where we moved, bought our first house, and had our first two children, Amber and Natalie. Not General Electric in Richmond, Virginia where we were transferred and had two more children, Zach and Cara. Here, however some of Dad's enthusiasm for the Civil War surfaced. He found his first war game buddy, David Summers. He was surrounded by the glorious history of the capitl of the Confederacy complete with museums and battlefields.

When we moved to New York for Dad to work at Kodak for better pay and opportunities he supported and encouraged my desires in writing. We had two more children, Lauren and Sheryl.

Kodak used Dad's hard work and knowledge as an engineer for 27 years. Along the way Dad continued to read and collect Civil War books. Anything Civil War was a sure gift winner for him. We all had learned this much about his Civil War interest.

But Dad's secret dream of writing a Civil War book/novel didn't surface much, except for some invitations to speak at our church discussion group. However, about five years ago the dance class we were going to take together was full. I was very disappointed. I really wanted us to take a class together, so I invited Dad to come to my writing class. Surprise! He accepted. There had been other times he declined. Finally, Dad's secret dream was budding. Camy, our teacher, and the now many classes including our Fairport Writer's Circle, have been mermerized with Dad's writing and reading style, and always left wanting more. Dad's secret dream is finally blossoming.

At our Father's Day celebration dinner this Sat. ( June 16) those Cain Clan in attendance enjoyed a special treat. Dad read aloud the first chapter of his novel. His voice wove a wonderful story blanket of the color, dialogue, accent, and atmosphere of the Civil War Shenandoah Valley around us. We met Virgie Harmon waiting for her menfolk to return, not knowing if they are alive or dead. We saw Arnold, a young Confederate soldier limping up the road. At the end of the chapter everyone clapped and wanted to hear "more, more!". The first time listeners were totally surprised at what they never knew about Dad. He's a great writer!

Who knew that at 64 there is so much more to learn about Dad? "Still waters run deep." Dad is much like Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. His kids didn't think Atticus could do any cool things because he was now too old. They were shocked when Atticus killed a rabid dog with one shot. They never knew he was really, "One Shot Finch" because Atticus never talked about himself in grandiose accomplishments. As a writer I admire Dad's great talent. As his wife I love even adore his character, dignity, and honor. At 64 he is so much more The Man.