Greetings Mrs. Spratt and family,
A special man has walked among us.
Oddly, I was thinking of both of you just four days ago, wondering how you were.
He was taller than most, both in stature and in character. We were so very honored walk next to him, to be influenced and shaped by his compassion and faith.
We still carry his humor with us, often saying to someone, "It won't be long now!" They reply, "What's that?" And we deliver Mr. Spratt's line, "That's what the dog said when he got his tail cut off by the lawnmower, it won't be long now."
Thank-you Mr. Spratt, for to this day, you still bring humor, wisdom, the love for learning and the joy of observing Creation into our lives.
Back at Ames High [Iowa], what fun we had with Project Eco in the early 1970's and trips to the State Park called, "Bloody Run" in NE Iowa [3-4 hours from home].
On one of these adventures, I recall, Mr. Spratt was driving our school bus, filled with teenagers. I was sitting just behind him. We were crossing the Mighty Mississippi at, Prairie du Chien.
The bridge over the Big Muddy was as narrow as a 2 x 4 and it swayed like a kite in the wind. The traffic was heavy but moving. It seemed the bus was just brushing the steel guard rails of the bridge on the right side, while the oncoming traffic was just inches away on the left side. Yikes! What a narrow old bridge!
https://images.wisconsinhistory.org/700004120242/0412002507-l.jpgAnd then . . . here comes a semi toward us. There is no turning around or waiting your turn, we are going to meet!
Driving that bus must have been like threading a needle in a windstorm. There were not many choices for our beloved driver, or for the truck. I can still remember the sound of steel on steel, there was glass flying as the bus' left mirror and the truck's left mirror met each other at 40 mph, taking the hit for our safety.
Thanks, Mr. Spratt, for your care, courage and endurance on our behalf. You got us across! And so did someone else for us, at the Old Rugged Cross!
And thank-you, Mrs. Spratt, for being his behind the scene helpmate! God bless you children. I remember your parent's love for you. Take care of mom now!
From, "It's a Wonderful Life" - "
Clarence: [to George] Strange, isn't it?
Each man's life touches so many other lives.
When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
When you see the empty chair this Christmas, Christ fills that emptiness for us!
David H. Hatch
Ames High [Aims High], Class of 1973