THE REDROAD
By Michael Mick Webster
As a young boy, I was always fascinated by my grandfather’s dedication to both work and family. Every morning, he would rise early for a hearty breakfast with my grandmother: a ritual that involved apple cider vinegar, black coffee, eggs, bacon, and a hot chile pepper. The aroma of these foods would gently wake me whenever I stayed with them. Even now, certain smells take me back to those cherished memories of feeling at home with my grandparents.
My grandfather, or “Granddad” as I affectionately called him, had an extraordinary work ethic. For 27 years, he worked on the railroad without missing a single day, and only arrived late twice. Each morning, he walked two blocks to catch the bus to the rail yard, where he was part of a railroad work gang that maintained tracks, bridges, and rail infrastructure under harsh conditions. Despite the physically demanding nature of the job, he took great pride in it, teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance.
One of the most intriguing things I learned from Granddad was the remarkable properties of lemons and limes, wisdom passed down from the Apache and Yaqui men he worked with. These Indigenous people, known for their endurance and survival skills, could travel long distances with little food or water, sustained only by lemons or limes. This citrus fruit provided them with the nutrients they needed to stay strong and mentally sharp during their treks through harsh desert environments. The Yaqui, in particular, were known for their resilience, avoiding capture by stronger military forces like the U.S. Cavalry and Mexican armies.
Granddad often shared the Yaqui’s deep connection to nature, remarking, “The Yaqui have always been, and they always will be.” Their knowledge of the land, plants, and fruits like lemons and limes enabled them to survive in ways their enemies couldn’t. Along with occasional desert spring water and wild honeycombs, these fruits were essential for their survival.
The Yaqui and Apache people, with whom my grandfather shared such respect, passed on their knowledge about the land, plants, and fruits to workers like him. Modern science now confirms the benefits of lemons and limes, as they are packed with essential vitamins and have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. To this day, these citrus fruits serve as a reminder of resilience, endurance, and survival in the face of adversity, just as they did for the Yaqui, Apache, and my grandfather
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