What Nobody Knows

No doubt, we have all heard this icebreaker statement. “Tell the group something very few people know about you.” I was thinking about that question this week and wondering what I would say. Then, it came to me. I’m not sure my extended family even knows this about me.

I used to skin muskrats! That’s right. I can hardly believe it myself now – forty plus years later. We had the cutest shed that my first husband had built for just that purpose. It was white, trimmed in brown to match the house. We were a young couple, and trapping was a sideline hobby for my husband. To be honest, the furs he harvested allowed us to buy appliances and a few extras along the way.

Trapping season occurs in the colder weather when the furs are prime. This means they are at peak color, length, density and texture. As I remember, the average muskrat pelt was worth $4.00 in the 80’s. It took a stack of those to add up, but when you could supplement them with mink, raccoon, beaver, or coyote – all worth five times that amount, then a new freezer or TV seemed less like a dream.

My motivation for helping out in the not so pleasant smelling fur shed, was less about the new freezer and more about family time. If the boys and I were to see their dad through the winter months, we would have to join him. He was skinning, fleshing, and stretching hides every night. The shed was equipped with a small electric heater and once the four of us added our body heat, the small space was flannel shirt comfortable. Daniel may vaguely remember these evenings, but Caleb was still tucked beneath blankets in the infant seat.

We had a radio tuned into the local country western station while we worked. Once I got used to the strong, musty smell, (that’s as nice as I can put it) it wasn’t a bad environment. I could skin a muskrat in about 4 minutes – twice as long as it took my husband – but he was grateful for the help and knew better than to complain. It freed him up to tend to the larger animal pelts.

I would have never seen myself enjoying doing this kind of activity, but I came to look forward to those evenings we would all be together in the shed. The experience taught me that, sometimes, in order to receive a blessing, we need to step out with a positive attitude and try those very things we’ve not been inclined to favor.

It makes me think of Esther in the Bible. She stepped before the King, knowing he could have her put to death, but what a blessing she received. The entire Jewish nation was saved because of her willingness. I didn’t save any kingdoms, but I did put a deposit down on some good old-fashioned family time. And now you know my secret life. 🙂

Until next time….keep on readin’ and I’ll keep on writin’.