I learned about integrity early on by observing life in Mahoosuc Mills. Back then, people made deals with a handshake. You gave your word, and that was good enough. Some folks still do business that way. See, when you live in a small town, it’s important to protect your reputation ’cause people have long memories.
My Grampy Gilbert taught me the value of giving my word when I was a young whippersnapper. I was reminded of this last weekend when I was straightening out our storage shed, and I come upon his old fishing creel tucked way in back. Beautiful thing. I opened the lid, and inside was a blood oath he made me sign as a kid. I promised to never tell anyone where we’d gone fishing. Those spots were secret!
Since Grampy was basically illiterate, I think my grandmother must’ve wrote the oath out for him. On the first day I went fishing with him, sitting in his truck in our driveway, he had me sign it: “I, Ida Gilbert, swear to never tell anyone where Grampy’s secret fishing spots are.” I printed my name with a backwards “d,” “Iba.” Heck, I was only five! Then Grampy heated a straight pin with his lighter (honest to God), gave my finger a little poke, and had me put my fingerprint in blood beside my name. He tucked that piece of paper into the pocket of his plaid shirt, and off we went. At the start of every fishing season, he’d have me renew my vow by putting my hand over my heart and repeating that oath.
Grampy gave me that fishing creel a couple years before he died. He was having trouble getting around on his own, and knew he wouldn’t be needing it. He made me swear my oath again, for good measure, and tucked that piece of paper inside. That’s where it’s been ever since.
I never did tell anyone about those fishing holes (except Charlie, of course—but he’s family, so it doesn’t count). I’ve thought about that blood oath on and off in the years since, like you do. But last week, when I found that old piece of paper tucked inside the fishing creel, I realized something I hadn’t before, something Grampy knew all along; that oath wasn’t with him, it was with myself.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Blood Oath