My family recently said farewell to one of its cornerstones. My cousin, Marvin Farmer, was 98 years old and had lived a long, rich, full life. Although he had lived in Berea since before I was born, he was a larger-than-life presence on my dad's side of the family. He and my grandmother were first cousins; his father and my great-grandmother were brothers and sisters. He and his wife, and one of my dad's sisters and her husband, were married at the same time and honeymooned together.
My fondest memories of Marvin are the "Decoration Day" services at Stone Coal Cemetery in Lee County, where many of my ancestors are buried. Each year, he would bring the message at the memorial service held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, then the family would adjourn to my grandmother's place for a huge meal and time of fellowship. Given the opportunity to speak a few words at his funeral, I mentioned that Memorial Day, not Christmas, was my favorite holiday when I was growing up because of this.
Unbeknownst to me until recently, two years ago Marvin wrote an autobiography, covering his life from his childhood on Farmers Ridge in the area where Lee, Owsley, Jackson, and Estill counties all converge; through his World War II service in the Marine Corps; to his career at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County; and finally to his retirement and his civic involvement and volunteerism in his adopted hometown of Berea and his love for and pride in his family.
I was fortunate enough to have been sent a copy of Marvin's Story several weeks ago, shortly after I joined with most of my grandmother's remaining family in visiting with Marvin, his wife Virginia, and one of their sons in Berea back in the spring. Marvin was in declining health, but his mind was as sharp as ever, and we learned during that visit that he was working on another book.
Sometime between that visit and his recent death, that book was published. It's entitled One Knee is Not Enough and is a Biblical look at the state of our nation today. It's a short booklet, but it's filled with much wisdom.
Begun the week of Marvin's 98th birthday back in February, the book addresses a number of current issues and applies Biblical verses to their resolution. Health care, the national debt, global warming, illegal immigration -- all are looked at through a spiritual microscope. (Surprisingly, despite what the name of the book might lead one to believe, disrespect of the American flag by athletes and celebrities is not touched upon). He themes the book as a conversation he's having with governmental leaders from the comfort of his den as they've come to pay him a visit.
Throughout the book, Marvin never lets on as to his own views on these subjects, save for an admonishment to the press to report the truth and to apologize for and correct errors. Through his experiences as a longtime Sunday school teacher and someone who probably knew the Bible more thoroughly than some ordained, seminary-educated ministers, he urges decision-makers to seek God's will as they govern.
Although the book gives no clues as to Marvin's political leanings, that visit our family paid him and Virginia provided a tell-tale clue. The family home, on a quiet street corner in Berea, was expanded many times as the family grew. An office filled with mementos from a long life, and an immaculate shop with many tools from his family's connections to the sawmills and oilfields of Lee County on display, will stand as testament to his interests and wisdom and the changes he saw in society and technology in more than 98 years. But near their front door, on a hat rack that held some of his favorite headgear, were a couple of Donald Trump hats.
Most of the Farmers from Lee County are conservatives -- we're still trying to figure out where Tracy Farmer went wrong -- and given Marvin's life experiences and his very real faith in God, it's not surprising that he'd have Trump apparel on display. We certainly didn't get into an in-depth discussion of politics during that final visit, but it's probably safe to say that like many of us, he supported the president's overall policies while being turned off by certain aspects of his life.
At any rate, there's a lot of wisdom and wise counsel in 13 short pages in One Knee is Not Enough. The closing paragraph sums it up: "As you return from your visit with me, please take with you the reminder that returning to God is the only hope for this wayward, struggling nation. Looking to God for leadership, guidance and direction as we pray on both knees, may, very well, bring back the wisdom needed. Thank you for your visit and may God bless you in your life and work."
Marvin Farmer was one of the most respected, most Godly men I've ever known. It was a privilege to call him a relative. May all who are in positions of power heed his counsel and wisdom, as expressed in his final written work.
