This country is, despite of having it's faults, the greatest country in the history of the earth. The freedoms we have are envied throughout the world. Our lifestyle, even in these difficult financial times, is admired nearly everywhere. Many of the problems we face from outside are due to that envy and admiration. There are those who cannot have what we do and are so consumed by it that they will do anything to tear us down, to control us and eliminate our freedom.
I grew up in the Vietnam era. I was 18 in 1969 and had to register for the draft. I actually still have my original draft card. It is somewhat tattered and it never ceases to amaze what it has survived considering that I basically carried it in my wallet through some very interesting experiences. The first draft "lottery" was held in 1969 and I went into the lottery in 1970. Believe me when I say this was NOT a lottery that anyone wanted to win. Not because people didn't want to serve, they just didn't want to serve in Viet Nam. I was fortunate that my number came up higher than the last number that would be drafted for that year. I did have a lot of friends who went, and have a lot of stories not only from them but about the whole protest era as well, but those are all for another time.
I have always felt very, very blessed to have been born in this country. I truly appreciate the opportunities we have, the freedoms that we enjoy, and would certainly fight to maintain them, not just for myself, but for my family and for generations to come. I admire greatly those that do, and those that have. I am very, very thankful to them. When I look at the number of people who have given their lives over the years to maintain our freedom, our way of life, our country, I am humbled greatly. For those that survived and, in many cases, suffered greatly for it I say THANK YOU.
I still get emotional every time I hear the Star Spangled Banner, see our flag, and realize what we have. Yes, we have our problems. Yes, we have our faults. But we have the freedom to dissent, to disagree, to even argue about what the solutions are. That freedom is precious, and must be maintained. I wish it were not true that we had to battle against others to keep it, but that is the reality of the world. I am glad that we have so many that are and have been willing to do so.
If you know a veteran, thank them this day. If you see one thank them. If you don't know one or see one, pray for them, and give thanks for them. I know I will.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
People Who Touch Each Other in Life
Modern technology is great. If I didn’t have a computer and we didn’t have the internet I probably wouldn’t have written this and certainly you, if there is anyone out there, wouldn’t be reading it. It is truly amazing how much information you can find these days with just a few clicks of a button.
I probably haven’t been back to my hometown in Illinois more than a handful of times since I left, really, after graduation from high school. I still keep in touch with some friends there, but I really have no family left there anymore, and no real reason to go there except maybe to a reunion. But I can still keep connected by going to my home town newspaper on the internet. I can still keep up with what is going on, how the local high school sports teams are doing, what the issues are, and, in the winter, how cold it is (and feel good that I live in Atlanta!). I often ask one of my friends still there how that global warming thing is going for them.
I also check out the obituaries. Not in a morbid way, but just to see who’s listed and to be sure I’m not on there. I have seen some of my parent’s friends, some other names that ring a bell, and some that bring back memories. I recently saw one for a man who I knew growing up. His name was Terry. He was the same age as I am in but was a year behind me in school. It doesn’t say what he died of, but 57 is an early age to pass on.
I dream a lot and things come to me, running through my head, at odd times. My brother and my mother both had “premonitions” of things, but more about that at another time. At about the time that Terry was dying, and before I saw the obituary, a memory was bouncing through my head about Pony League Baseball. It was about the best game I had at that age. It was against Terry’s team and he was pitching. There are some players or teams in sports when you play that just have your number, that for whatever reason you just can’t beat or overcome. Then are there those whose number you have, and you wish that you could play against every time out. Terry was a pitcher who I would have loved to have batted against every time up. I think I would have hit 1.000. He was a good pitcher, but for some reason I could see his pitches like they were beach balls.
The particular game that came to mind I was pitching for our team which, unfortunately, wasn’t that good. I think I pitched well, striking out nine in seven innings and only giving up three hits, but they scored seven runs. I’ll let you figure that out. But we won 9-7. I had three hits, a single, a triple with the bases loaded, and a grand slam home run. I drove in seven runs. It was certainly a memorable game, I think I still have the box score packed away some where. But the thing I remember most about that game was an exchange I had with Terry.
After the last hit, which was the grand slam, I crossed home plate and headed to the dugout. Terry hollered at me from the pitchers mound. He said “Merlin, what’s wrong, don’t you like me!?” It was said in with a smile on his face. I think I smiled back at him and shrugged my shoulders, at least that’s how I remember it. Terry was an easy going boy. He tried hard, was a good athlete, and a friendly person. The truth was, that while I didn’t know him that well, and we would never become close friends, I DID like him. He was very likeable. I would see him fairly often after that over the following years and always felt a warm connection to him.
I think though that the most important part of that exchange was the manner in which it was meant. While we were both competitive, and certainly both strived to be as good as we could at what we were doing, it put things in great perspective. I think that we both knew that there were far more important things in life than baseball, than that one hit, one pitch, that one game. That whether I could hit his pitches, or that he had some trouble getting me out really, in the grand scheme of things, didn’t matter all that much. WHO we were was far more important, and that he could kid about it said a lot about who he was.
I don’t know what the rest of his life was like. The obit says his nickname was “Scratch”, that he had seven grandchildren who he loved to spend time with and who adored him and called him PaPa, and that he had a great passion for motorcycles. I have the feeling that he probably didn’t change much, that he was probably always pretty easy going and easy to like. I hope and pray that he found a relationship with the Father and that his soul is at peace at his permanent home.
Through our lives we come in contact with many people, some for just a moment, some for longer, some for a lifetime. Memories come back to me at odd times about people I have known or run into and, for whatever reason, have left a small sentence or paragraph in the book that is my life. While the game I had that day is a very pleasant memory the exchange I had with Terry is far more important. I pray for his soul, for his family, and I think I can feel secure in giving thanks for his seven grandchildren having known their PaPa.
Try to remember the people and moments in your life. Treasure them, pray for them, even if you have no clue where they are or who they are anymore. It’s one thing that we can do for each other that is always a help!
Modern technology is great. If I didn’t have a computer and we didn’t have the internet I probably wouldn’t have written this and certainly you, if there is anyone out there, wouldn’t be reading it. It is truly amazing how much information you can find these days with just a few clicks of a button.
I probably haven’t been back to my hometown in Illinois more than a handful of times since I left, really, after graduation from high school. I still keep in touch with some friends there, but I really have no family left there anymore, and no real reason to go there except maybe to a reunion. But I can still keep connected by going to my home town newspaper on the internet. I can still keep up with what is going on, how the local high school sports teams are doing, what the issues are, and, in the winter, how cold it is (and feel good that I live in Atlanta!). I often ask one of my friends still there how that global warming thing is going for them.
I also check out the obituaries. Not in a morbid way, but just to see who’s listed and to be sure I’m not on there. I have seen some of my parent’s friends, some other names that ring a bell, and some that bring back memories. I recently saw one for a man who I knew growing up. His name was Terry. He was the same age as I am in but was a year behind me in school. It doesn’t say what he died of, but 57 is an early age to pass on.
I dream a lot and things come to me, running through my head, at odd times. My brother and my mother both had “premonitions” of things, but more about that at another time. At about the time that Terry was dying, and before I saw the obituary, a memory was bouncing through my head about Pony League Baseball. It was about the best game I had at that age. It was against Terry’s team and he was pitching. There are some players or teams in sports when you play that just have your number, that for whatever reason you just can’t beat or overcome. Then are there those whose number you have, and you wish that you could play against every time out. Terry was a pitcher who I would have loved to have batted against every time up. I think I would have hit 1.000. He was a good pitcher, but for some reason I could see his pitches like they were beach balls.
The particular game that came to mind I was pitching for our team which, unfortunately, wasn’t that good. I think I pitched well, striking out nine in seven innings and only giving up three hits, but they scored seven runs. I’ll let you figure that out. But we won 9-7. I had three hits, a single, a triple with the bases loaded, and a grand slam home run. I drove in seven runs. It was certainly a memorable game, I think I still have the box score packed away some where. But the thing I remember most about that game was an exchange I had with Terry.
After the last hit, which was the grand slam, I crossed home plate and headed to the dugout. Terry hollered at me from the pitchers mound. He said “Merlin, what’s wrong, don’t you like me!?” It was said in with a smile on his face. I think I smiled back at him and shrugged my shoulders, at least that’s how I remember it. Terry was an easy going boy. He tried hard, was a good athlete, and a friendly person. The truth was, that while I didn’t know him that well, and we would never become close friends, I DID like him. He was very likeable. I would see him fairly often after that over the following years and always felt a warm connection to him.
I think though that the most important part of that exchange was the manner in which it was meant. While we were both competitive, and certainly both strived to be as good as we could at what we were doing, it put things in great perspective. I think that we both knew that there were far more important things in life than baseball, than that one hit, one pitch, that one game. That whether I could hit his pitches, or that he had some trouble getting me out really, in the grand scheme of things, didn’t matter all that much. WHO we were was far more important, and that he could kid about it said a lot about who he was.
I don’t know what the rest of his life was like. The obit says his nickname was “Scratch”, that he had seven grandchildren who he loved to spend time with and who adored him and called him PaPa, and that he had a great passion for motorcycles. I have the feeling that he probably didn’t change much, that he was probably always pretty easy going and easy to like. I hope and pray that he found a relationship with the Father and that his soul is at peace at his permanent home.
Through our lives we come in contact with many people, some for just a moment, some for longer, some for a lifetime. Memories come back to me at odd times about people I have known or run into and, for whatever reason, have left a small sentence or paragraph in the book that is my life. While the game I had that day is a very pleasant memory the exchange I had with Terry is far more important. I pray for his soul, for his family, and I think I can feel secure in giving thanks for his seven grandchildren having known their PaPa.
Try to remember the people and moments in your life. Treasure them, pray for them, even if you have no clue where they are or who they are anymore. It’s one thing that we can do for each other that is always a help!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Finding Beauty
Another week comes to a close. Being in the mortgage industry I follow financial issues, economic information, etc. It can get pretty depressing lately. The amount of business that I have (pretty much zero) is pretty depressing too, actually. To help get extra income I am doing some contract work in foreclosure/loss mitigation counseling for a local non-profit that I have worked for in the past. That can be pretty draining, but more about that part at another time.
This mornings news is not pleasant either. Job losses are high, all the major domestic auto companies are suffering huge losses, and it is pretty evident that many more people will lose their jobs as continuing layoffs occur. So all in all it's really just one big mess, huh?
Well, not neccessarily. In His world He always gives us things to help us understand that He is constantly around. I don't know where you live, but here in Atlanta (actually Roswell, GA) today it is most beautiful. The trees are gorgeous, the falling leaves gently swirling their way to the gound in a myriad of beautiful colors. The sky is a serene blue with very few, if any, clouds. The temperature is wonderful. If I just stand outside, be quiet, and take in the wonder that is His creation I can clearly see His presence. That gives me peace in the moment.
Where you are it may be raining, cold, somewhat ugly, and not very pleasant. Certainly there are many days like that here as well. But even in that setting, if you look and listen, you will hear Him and see Him. If you know Him, even that type of setting can bring you a quiet peace.
I know that things in this world aren't great. Believe me, I know. I will as time goes on try to share on this space some of the things that I have experienced in life, both good and bad. There are many, many people hurting. In many ways. All over this world. But I can also tell you that I know, I truly know, that He is always here.
I heard a story one time that I treasure and repeat to this day. A man was standing thinking about all that was/is happening in the world. Wars, economic recessions and depressions, starvation, hurricanes, violence, and much, much more. He turned his gaze toward heaven and asked "God, oh God, can't you see all the hurt, pain, and agony in this world!? Why don't you send help!?"
And He responded to him "I did. I sent YOU."
Enjoy the world around you today. He is there......see if you can find someone to help.
This mornings news is not pleasant either. Job losses are high, all the major domestic auto companies are suffering huge losses, and it is pretty evident that many more people will lose their jobs as continuing layoffs occur. So all in all it's really just one big mess, huh?
Well, not neccessarily. In His world He always gives us things to help us understand that He is constantly around. I don't know where you live, but here in Atlanta (actually Roswell, GA) today it is most beautiful. The trees are gorgeous, the falling leaves gently swirling their way to the gound in a myriad of beautiful colors. The sky is a serene blue with very few, if any, clouds. The temperature is wonderful. If I just stand outside, be quiet, and take in the wonder that is His creation I can clearly see His presence. That gives me peace in the moment.
Where you are it may be raining, cold, somewhat ugly, and not very pleasant. Certainly there are many days like that here as well. But even in that setting, if you look and listen, you will hear Him and see Him. If you know Him, even that type of setting can bring you a quiet peace.
I know that things in this world aren't great. Believe me, I know. I will as time goes on try to share on this space some of the things that I have experienced in life, both good and bad. There are many, many people hurting. In many ways. All over this world. But I can also tell you that I know, I truly know, that He is always here.
I heard a story one time that I treasure and repeat to this day. A man was standing thinking about all that was/is happening in the world. Wars, economic recessions and depressions, starvation, hurricanes, violence, and much, much more. He turned his gaze toward heaven and asked "God, oh God, can't you see all the hurt, pain, and agony in this world!? Why don't you send help!?"
And He responded to him "I did. I sent YOU."
Enjoy the world around you today. He is there......see if you can find someone to help.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Moving On
The election is over, the votes have been tallied and we have a new President. It is certainly a history making election. We will have the first black President of the United States. I believe that this says volumes about this country and it's people. We have come a long way from when I was a young boy and the civil rights movement was in full swing.
I grew up in northern Illinois and now live in Atlanta, the home of Martin Luther King, Jr. I have seen both the north and the south. While people would lead you to believe that the major racial issues were in the south don't let them fool you. There has always been just as much prejudice in the north, sometimes and someplaces even more. I grew up in a small farming town of 12,000 people, Kewanee, and it was the largest town in the county. As such we had 100% of all the black population in the county. There was a nearby small town that still had a law on the books that a black person could not be seen on the streets of the town after dark.
My mother had a great faith in God and taught my sister, brother, and I that you should treat each person as just that, an individual person. That in God's eyes we are all equal, all His children, and that He certainly loves us equally whether we want to look at each other that way or not. In reality she taught us to "Judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin" long before Dr. King made that statement. To this day I believe that statement sums up the whole issue very neatly, and was the most important statement he made.
I was very fortunate to have a significant number of black friends growing up and still do to this day. One very close and dear one who I count as true brother to this day. I can still very vividly remember the day that Dr. King was shot and killed. We were in high school. I remember the anguish, the emotional pain, and the terrible hurt that my friend, my brother, went through. I shared that feeling with him in that I truly understood what a horrible, tragic, event it was. To know that we were a country of so much hatred was so troubling and depressing. I have always thought it so terribly sad that there are so many people who feel so badly about themselves that they have to have that kind of hate against other people to make themselves feel better.
I don't agree with President elect Obama's policies. I did not vote for him, not because of the color of his skin, but because I don't agree with the content of his character, and the things that I hear him say he wants to do. I am very realistic in the fact that President Bush has made mistakes. But the vitriol and hatred that has been directed his way is really beyond my understanding. Fortunately he has big shoulders. I think, I hope, that someday he will be judged by the content of his character, which I believe is very strong and grounded in faith, during the difficult times he has faced.
While I don't agree with President elect Obama's politics, he is now our president, my president. And I will stand behind him, pray for him, pray for this country, and this world. We face very difficult times ahead. This country and it's people have always been very resiliant, very strong. Now is the time for all of us to come together, work together, as one nation, to solve and work through the issues that face us. I will be doing what I can, where I can, and thanking God every day that he allowed me to be born in the greatest country on the planet.
I grew up in northern Illinois and now live in Atlanta, the home of Martin Luther King, Jr. I have seen both the north and the south. While people would lead you to believe that the major racial issues were in the south don't let them fool you. There has always been just as much prejudice in the north, sometimes and someplaces even more. I grew up in a small farming town of 12,000 people, Kewanee, and it was the largest town in the county. As such we had 100% of all the black population in the county. There was a nearby small town that still had a law on the books that a black person could not be seen on the streets of the town after dark.
My mother had a great faith in God and taught my sister, brother, and I that you should treat each person as just that, an individual person. That in God's eyes we are all equal, all His children, and that He certainly loves us equally whether we want to look at each other that way or not. In reality she taught us to "Judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin" long before Dr. King made that statement. To this day I believe that statement sums up the whole issue very neatly, and was the most important statement he made.
I was very fortunate to have a significant number of black friends growing up and still do to this day. One very close and dear one who I count as true brother to this day. I can still very vividly remember the day that Dr. King was shot and killed. We were in high school. I remember the anguish, the emotional pain, and the terrible hurt that my friend, my brother, went through. I shared that feeling with him in that I truly understood what a horrible, tragic, event it was. To know that we were a country of so much hatred was so troubling and depressing. I have always thought it so terribly sad that there are so many people who feel so badly about themselves that they have to have that kind of hate against other people to make themselves feel better.
I don't agree with President elect Obama's policies. I did not vote for him, not because of the color of his skin, but because I don't agree with the content of his character, and the things that I hear him say he wants to do. I am very realistic in the fact that President Bush has made mistakes. But the vitriol and hatred that has been directed his way is really beyond my understanding. Fortunately he has big shoulders. I think, I hope, that someday he will be judged by the content of his character, which I believe is very strong and grounded in faith, during the difficult times he has faced.
While I don't agree with President elect Obama's politics, he is now our president, my president. And I will stand behind him, pray for him, pray for this country, and this world. We face very difficult times ahead. This country and it's people have always been very resiliant, very strong. Now is the time for all of us to come together, work together, as one nation, to solve and work through the issues that face us. I will be doing what I can, where I can, and thanking God every day that he allowed me to be born in the greatest country on the planet.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Historical Day
I think putting things on here and figuring this out is going to be kind of fun. We will see. Of course at the moment it is just for me, playing around with it, but that's o.k.
Today is a special day. An election is being held that will make history. The first African American will be elected President or the first female will be elected Vice-President. It is the end to a VERY long campaign season which has been, in most cases, politics as usual. Name calling, untruths, mud splattered everywhere. In reality we listen to what the candidates tell us and make a decision, but what is actually done when they get into office is very often entirely different than what they told us they would do. Part of that is because the President doesn't have ultimate power, and thank God for that. The checks and balances were put in place by the founders of this country for a reason.
But if a President is elected that also has a Congress dominated by his own party, and much of that party has the same ideology as the President, then a lot of things can change. My hope is that no matter who is elected, both as President and as members of Congress, will keep in mind that they are there to SERVE, not to command. The country at this point is in trouble, not only at home, but within the world at large. We all have to come together for the SURVIVAL of this country as we know it. The survival of freedom and ideals that have always made this country the stongest on earth. The one that people want to come to.
I hope that everyone that is eligible votes. I hope and pray that we will all get through the difficult times that face us, not only in the economy, but in the war on terror and the emerging issues of Iran, Russia, the African continent, and the global issues that we all face. While we have been mesmerized by the election process have we noticed that Russia is re-establishing their ties and support for Cuba as well as joining in military excercises and weapons sales to Venezuela?
We do truly need to get beyond this election and get to the business of addressing the issues that face us. We are a very resiliant people and when faced with adversity we have always overcome it. We need to start that process now, because much adversity is staring us in the face.
Today is a special day. An election is being held that will make history. The first African American will be elected President or the first female will be elected Vice-President. It is the end to a VERY long campaign season which has been, in most cases, politics as usual. Name calling, untruths, mud splattered everywhere. In reality we listen to what the candidates tell us and make a decision, but what is actually done when they get into office is very often entirely different than what they told us they would do. Part of that is because the President doesn't have ultimate power, and thank God for that. The checks and balances were put in place by the founders of this country for a reason.
But if a President is elected that also has a Congress dominated by his own party, and much of that party has the same ideology as the President, then a lot of things can change. My hope is that no matter who is elected, both as President and as members of Congress, will keep in mind that they are there to SERVE, not to command. The country at this point is in trouble, not only at home, but within the world at large. We all have to come together for the SURVIVAL of this country as we know it. The survival of freedom and ideals that have always made this country the stongest on earth. The one that people want to come to.
I hope that everyone that is eligible votes. I hope and pray that we will all get through the difficult times that face us, not only in the economy, but in the war on terror and the emerging issues of Iran, Russia, the African continent, and the global issues that we all face. While we have been mesmerized by the election process have we noticed that Russia is re-establishing their ties and support for Cuba as well as joining in military excercises and weapons sales to Venezuela?
We do truly need to get beyond this election and get to the business of addressing the issues that face us. We are a very resiliant people and when faced with adversity we have always overcome it. We need to start that process now, because much adversity is staring us in the face.
Friday, October 31, 2008
A Start
I am setting this up to....let out things that ramble in my brain. Since there seems to be a lot of room up there that is vacant and left for things to bounce around in I need somewhere to send them. Whether anyone reads this or not is not as important I guess as having the outlet to get them somewhere other than my brain. It tends to fill up rapidly and causes headaches.
Hopefully if you do find this site it will give you pause for some thought, a laugh now and then, maybe some inspiration occasionally, and add just a little something to your life in some way.
If you are a blonde please excuse this one, but I though it was cute;
A State Trooper driving down the road noticed the car in front of him swaying a little. So he pulled up alongside and noticed that the blonde lady driving was trying to knit at the same time. He turned on his lights, and tried to get her attention to no avail. He noticed that her window was down a little so he rolled his passenger side window down and shouted to her "PULLOVER!"
She finally notice him and shouted back "NO, It"S A SWEATER."
Hopefully if you do find this site it will give you pause for some thought, a laugh now and then, maybe some inspiration occasionally, and add just a little something to your life in some way.
If you are a blonde please excuse this one, but I though it was cute;
A State Trooper driving down the road noticed the car in front of him swaying a little. So he pulled up alongside and noticed that the blonde lady driving was trying to knit at the same time. He turned on his lights, and tried to get her attention to no avail. He noticed that her window was down a little so he rolled his passenger side window down and shouted to her "PULLOVER!"
She finally notice him and shouted back "NO, It"S A SWEATER."
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