It is said, “When it rains it pours.” Within a few years after my father lost his pastorate, my mother was severely burned. A burning piece of coal fell from our iron stove onto her long dress. My mother’s eyesight was poor because she had cataracts on both eyes. She did not know her dress was on fire until the fire started burning her feet and legs. My brother Ben, who was 12 at the time was the only one home. He tried his best to help her beat the flames out, but they kept spreading. He finally had to run for help.

When Pop came home later that day, he found the neighbors tending to her. However, mother was critically burned. She died a few days later. From that day on the mere sight of a flame would upset my brother Ben.