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He was born into a poor family and had to work hard to survive. He lived with his parents and four brothers and sisters in a three-room log house. That was all they owned except for a barn, an outhouse, a few chickens and an old mule. They worked in the cotton fields and sold ribbon cane syrup, their only sources of income. “We had almost nothing, but we had each other…even on cold mornings when the fire had burned down, I would wake up under a blanket…warm and cozy,” George said.
Wednesday October 1, 2014
Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Sissies
By Bill Keith
Along the way we learn of once-great older men and women who are long forgotten but whose lives cause us to reflect on true greatness.
Such a man was George Dawson who was born in Marshall, Texas, in 1898 and passed away in 2001.
George, an African American, learned to read and write when he was 98 years old, then when he was 100 wrote a book entitled Life Is So Good published by Penguin Books.
His life was an inspiration to millions of people who learned about him through the book, which received national media attention. One reader said he was “overwhelmed by the sheer simplicity of George’s wisdom. I felt that I stood in the presence of greatness when I read of his courage and perseverance.”
George was probably the oldest man in history to earn a GED, which he did when he was 103.
He was born into a poor family and had to work hard to survive. He lived with his parents and four brothers and sisters in a three-room log house. That was all they owned except for a barn, an outhouse, a few chickens and an old mule. They worked in the cotton fields and sold ribbon cane syrup, their only sources of income.
“We had almost nothing, but we had each other…even on cold mornings when the fire had burned down, I would wake up under a blanket…warm and cozy,” George said.
He began working on the farm with his father when he was four years old hauling water to the men and women chopping cotton in the fields, feeding the chickens and taking care of an old mule.
Years later, he married Elzenia Arnold who could read and write and they had seven children. Although he couldn’t read a single word, he often tried to help his children with their homework.
In his book, George wrote a lot about the day a Marshall man by the name of Carl Henry visited his home to tell him about an adult reading program. George said he was embarrassed to tell Henry he couldn’t read. When Henry asked him if he wanted to learn to read, George replied, “I’ll get my coat.”
George said that was one of the greatest experiences of his life. For nearly 100 years he had signed his name X. “That’s all I had.” Now he could sign his name George Dawson.
Oprah Winfrey invited him to appear on her show andGuideposts magazine wrote a story about his incredible life.
George outlived four wives, four brothers and sisters and two of his seven children. He died on July 5, 2001, in Dallas.
He is gone but still lives in the hearts of millions who have been inspired by his life.
Although he endured many difficult times in his life, he never gave up on his dream to learn to read and, at the age of 103, he carried that dream with him as he walked proudly through the Pearly Gates.
When we remember George, let’s also remember not to give up on our dreams and also that gettin’ old ain’t for sissies.
Note: for information about some of my books go towww.billkeithbooks.com.
Gettin" Old Ain"t For Sissies by Bill Keith: George Dawson "Never Quit"
