Does a good man’s life end at his death?
The answer for daughter Lisa Reinicke was, “No.” Her father was known by many names: Buster, Bill, Billy, Dad, and the Football Flyboy. His deeds, no matter how small, should be passed down to family, friends, and anyone looking for inspiration, and life-lessons from one who worked, lived and part of the Greatest Generation. The Football Flyboy was young, newlywed and a pilot in WWII. He was a good man.
One weekend morning, she determined that his spirit should not stay silent just because his mouth could no longer speak words. “I open my dad’s old air force footlocker - still solid, battleship grey, weathered, and a little rough from travel and age. His name is in white lettering on the front: First Lt William R Cannon.”
What she discovered were yellowed envelopes bound in twine - hundreds of them - that her father had written to her mother. Letters written daily during the last year of WWII and received by his bride. Her daily letters disappeared - only three times during the year, did the “mailman” catch up with him and teased with just a few of the hundreds.
“Before reaching inside, there was a feeling of the hands of time grabbing onto my heart, knowing that this was such a huge part of not only his life but my mom’s as well.”
Meet Bill “Buster” Cannon, the Football Flyboy … a good man with a good life who made a difference.
Lisa Reinicke is the majority holder of Our House Publications and author of 4 published children’s picture books for sale on Amazon and independent book stores. Lisa was honored with the Mom's Choice Gold Award for lifetime literary excellence for her children's book "Wings and Feet in 2017. She is a storyteller and author of 35 children’s stories appearing on local TV shows, elementary schools, and bookstores. The stories have been published in 3 collective recordings for distribution for A Goodnight Sleep Company. She also produced online (virtual) training for service advisors and technicians. Lisa served as head writer and on-camera talent in the videos. Her books are entertaining yet focus on social issues that engage children and parents to discuss. Her four children were all uniquely different ranging from physical differences, adoption, and physiological disorders that lead her following experts in each field to help children overcome the stigma around being different.
Lisa passionately works raising money for charities that improve children’s lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Sometimes the best conversations come when you are doing things together. The talking isn't forced. You’re not looking face to face so there is no intimidation. You don’t feel like you are on the spot. Instead there is a nice flow of word sharing as you go about the task.
I just remember so well those times were the most precious to me growing up. Chatting about whatever was on my mind while making biscuits with my grandmother were the times I got to know her best.
Now I get to have those special times with my grandchildren doing crafts or teaching them how to sew, and Mimi toast will be a smell that they will remember. It sounds silly, toast having a smell, but the butter melting as the bread browns under the broiler has an aroma that they will remember.
I find out what is on their minds. I get to know what makes them happy, what is bothering them, and their views on life.
The smell of biscuits or horse poop is a delight because it makes me think of my family.
When I write, I try to pull from those moments to give others the desire not to let times like these to slip from their life.
Book Excerpt
Football Flyboy: First Lt. Bill Cannon, Piloting More than His Own Aircraft
Those Saturdays were special between father and daughter. We had time to talk while riding along side by side on the country roads—about birds, trees, how water rolls over the rocks in streams, and some important thoughts during the ride would tumble out. In Dad’s wisdom, he knew that you needed to let conversation breath and some things would “just happen” if not forced. Even today the smell of horse poop will instantly make all the worries in my world disappear.
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