Willis Jefferson loved and respected Rowena Kramer as if she was his own loving mother. It was her influence in his life that enabled him to be the man of courage we find in this excerpt from “Bluebell“. But you might not have expected the child introduced in Dad’s book, “Rowena”, to grow into this remarkable woman.

It was early in the Fall of 1886, as the opening pages of “Rowena” unfolded, when this scene took place…

The coach was comfortably warm, but, huddled next to the large, glowering man, the child’s appearance suggested that no amount of external warmth could dispel the chill that gripped her.

As the train neared it’s next stop, the little girl…shivered and glanced up furtively. “Garwood, Papa?”

With the man’s brusque nod, offering nothing more than annoyed acknowledgement, a second tremor gripped the tiny body; and, drawing her knees tight against herself, she moved closer to him.

Glaring down, he snapped: “Don’t get so close, child, you’ll muss my suit!”  He cuffed her leg with a huge hand.  “And get your feet off the seat.”

Blinking back the tears she obeyed, and sought to become one with the cushions.

Garwood was the small town where Rowena’s father left her at the train station, because his girlfriend didn’t like having the child around, to be picked up by a a man he’d never talked with or met.

Fortunately, Rowena’s childhood years were mostly good but her adult life could largely be described as tragic. Yet when she appears as a character in “Bluebell”, we hear nothing but great things about her.

Willis was not alone in his special feelings for Rowena Kramer; there were many others.  They came and went in a seemingly endless parade, some staying only for a meal, some for a day, a week or longer.  They were young, old, and in-between.  Mostly, they were men and boys, but occasionally a member of the fairer sex was taken under Miss Rowena’s wing.  No matter the gender, problem or need, however, all shared a common bond: No one leaving her was ever less than better for the experience, nor was that separation ever complete.  Within her spirit was that which engendered, and exacted, love from every life she touched.   

Often, the human spirit is known for it’s tenacity and toughness, yet also for generating tenderness and tranquility. Miss Rowena seems to have been capable of all of those.

What About You?

• Tell us about a person showing Miss Rowena-isms in your life
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• Take a Chance (Spoiler Alert: Could be something free in your future)