Growing Up in Flip Flops

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My Aunt Caroline provides me with an admonition with which I adhere to this day. And I receive an object lesson in not judging someone simply by their appearance. 

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I describe the chance meeting of two men with extraordinary experiences and my sense of blessing and gratitude at simply being able to shake their hands.

I was very fortunate to meet these two men, but people like them are all around us and we have the opportunity to meet them, talk with them and perhaps, thank them, if we would only look up and pay attention to the people around us.

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What I think is going to be a fun adventure with my uncle during a break for lunch turns into providing a life confirming decision.  We never know when life is going to give us these little learning opportunities.  And sometimes, they are quite unforgettable like mine was.

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I learned the valuable and painful lesson that has stuck with me all these years from my mother that "sorry" doesn't cut it.  Excuses for the cause of the "sorry" don't matter to the hurt or wronged individual don't matter either.  Making the injured party whole is the responsible, and unfortunately too  uncommon, response.  It took me awhile to get to the point I understood this lesson myself.

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For a number of years after my father passed away, I remember two couples of snowbird renters who stayed with us.  They became simply extended members of our family  to my sister and I.  The interesting thing is they were willing to spend time and talk with a curious young boy and I took advantage of that time.  I learned from them and remember to this day the stories of a World War One fighter pilot.  We have similar opportunities today of which we all fail to fully take advantage.

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I remember a weekly column in our local newspaper and the information that was shared.  But, the interesting point is my realization those people weren't as naive as I thought in comparison to our obvious sophistication today.

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Simply wanting to share a moment with my father ends up having a very long lasting memory and impact on both my behavior and tastes.  These moments come along unexpectedly, and when they do, you will remember them.

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It has always amazed me how the truly best things that happen in our lives are largely unplanned, in spite of ourselves.  And the greatest things we do in our lives don't show up on a resume.

The best advice I can give to anyone is to walk through the open doors life provides for you.  You never know what great and wonderful things you can do when given the opportunity.

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As a young boy being forced to iron cloths or scrabble eggs, all I saw was work and one more thing my mother was making me do beyond my usual chores around the house and yard.

It wasn't until years later I learned the why of her actions. That "why" is something for which I am forever grateful to her.

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In a regular Sunday morning Methodist church service, the unusual happens.  Which in and of itself, is noteworthy, but this particular occurrence was very different.  And it also  demonstrates how long memories can last.

One definition of comedy is "A tragedy viewed from the wings, " that is, it's funny when it's not happening to you.  I smile today thinking of the heart ache, hurt feelings, and bickering this episode which I describe must have generated.  Again, "A tragedy viewed from the wings."