When Garrett joined them and the drums sounded, signaling the start of the parade, Caitlin took his hand. This was the best way to spend today. Jake led the parade on his spirited horse, Cheyenne. Cheyenne refused to walk straight and reared a few times. Jake hooted, raised his hat above his head, and shouted, "Hi Ho Cheyenne."
"We know crazy people," Jen shouted to Caitlin.
"I know. Isn't it awesome?" Happiness reeled through Caitlin causing a never-ceasing smile. Even seeing Mrs. Carrington on the Pioneer float did not dampen her spirit. Yes, she would have preferred seeing her granddaddy perched up there but a breeze passed over. "Don't fret, Caitlin dear. I was getting bored with it. Let Mrs. Carrington have fun." Caitlin heard a chuckle then the voice quieted and vanished.
Looking around Caitlin expected to see her granddaddy amidst the crowd. But he was nowhere. After the last float wound its way through town, Jen, Caitlin, and Garrett joined the ever-growing crowd at the gazebo. Mrs. Carrington stood at the podium.
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Valley View. Today offers a chance to pay homage to those who came before us and made this town what it is today. This is a town where we citizens are more friends than neighbors. We are a town of people who look after one another. We are a family and nothing will ever change that.
"I'm honored to be standing in front of you today, but it also pains me. My good friend, Marshall Chadwick, did an outstanding job every year. It's a shame he's not here today to see it."
Caitlin said to herself, "He is. Listen to the wind and you'll hear him, perhaps feel him. Granddaddy, am I the only one who hears you and feels you?"
"Valley View was founded in 1867 by a young pioneer family-Marshall Chadwick's grandfather, Marshall and his wife Ruth. They came here with nothing but a buckboard, two horses, 1 cow, 2 chickens, nails, hammer, saw, wheat, sugar, coffee, some kitchen utensils, and the clothes on their back.
"Many of you youngsters don't understand but it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to live here with the little amount they had. This was their paradise. They built a two-room log cabin, which in those days was considered high class. They toiled the land, planted, and grew many crops.
"More people came, many of whom were passing through, but once in the graces of the Chadwick's they chose to stay. We are their descendents.
"Children were born. Some died as there was no medicine, doctors, or hospitals. The ones who survived grew strong, tall, and proud and helped develop this town. Sticking with good faith, moral values, and a love of friends and neighbors, and respecting the earth, which supplied them with food and materials, Valley View was born.