True Valor

When I think of Memorial Day the word valor comes to mind. This word best describes someone who possesses exceptional courage when facing danger. A certain soldier who served in World War I comes to mind and of whom former President Ronald Reagan paid special tribute to in his first Inaugural Address:

Under one such marker lies a young man, Martin Treptow, who left his job in a small town barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire.

We are told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading, "My Pledge," he had written these words: "America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone."

In my opinion, our country remains great because of men and women who gave everything to keep this country free. May none of us forget their sacrifice and may none of us ever be willing to do less than our utmost to keep our country great. Perhaps such valor shouldn't be so uncommon in our everyday lives.

I will leave you with a quote from the Revolutionary War hero, Nathan Hale, who spoke these words before he was hung by the British for being a spy, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Swavel

Man vs Quad: The last days have been better and I look forward to visiting the doctor tomorrow.

Let's Talk

Believe it or not, this was not how I planned on spending my Memorial Day weekend, on my posterior with my leg up. It does, however, give me a lot of time to feel sorry for myself. But somewhere in my head I heard a voice telling me to, "suck it up, Nancy," actually it was my sister-in-law. Then I turned my attention toward other things, namely this blog. I wonder at times if we all don't have thoughts like Jimmy Stewart's character did in, "It's a Wonderful Life" that the world might be better off without us and then unwittingly start to live a self-defeating life. We may never commit suicide, but we act so depressed and miserable that others tend to avoid us.

I speak from experience because when my seven year old daughter died, ten years ago, my heart was so broken I struggled in every aspect of life. Often I would ask questions like, "why" and my response always seemed to be, "I just don't know why" and in turn the answer would infuriate me. Maybe, and I'm just spit balling here, when I finally said, "why not" life started to become enjoyable again. When I started to take everyday as it came, not trying to analyze it so much, the color started to come back into life and the gray slowly faded. In time, I also started to smile more, whistle more, and sing along with songs on the radio again, poorly might I add, but in my own strange way I was living again.

One day I was driving, singing, and bobbing my head to a song on the radio when a truck full of construction workers began to make gestures ridiculing me, but I never noticed. My friends told me later that the guys in the truck just gave up in disgust when they couldnt get under my skin. Perhaps, we often focus too much on the negative, instead of the positive.

When I was an exterminator, there was certain customer I always looked forward to servicing on my route. He was an older, distinguished gentleman who had a particular way of putting me at ease. After every service, I would sit down at his kitchen table as he would get out a glass, add ice, and then pour me a Coke. We would then just talk about life, about the day, about family, about whatever. Just like two old friends would do. After about ten minutes, he would write me a check for the appropriate amount and I would pack up my stuff and leave. Somehow I always felt better when I left his house, I felt more alive.

Man vs. quad: Chalk one up for the quad because the last few days have been uncomfortable. A trip back to the doctor who ordered an ultrasound to check for clots. Thankfully no clots, but more elevation, ice, and meds. But, today is a new day, full of adjustments and full of hope.

Regardless of your circumstances, may it be said of you as it was Winston Churchill,"never surrender".

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Relax

When I want to forget all about life's problems I go to the kitchen, open up the freezer and begin to create something I call a 'Swavel'. Nothing else seems to matter as I relax and find myself lost in my own little world.

The process is slow and tedious. Every stroke is measured and defined. Often, like a craftsman I stop to check the texture of my product. Time is not a factor when one is attempting to create a masterpiece. It is a simple thing anyone could do, yet it is a source of identity for me.

The ingredients are a follows: chocolate ice cream, milk, and a host of toppings such as chocolate bits, jimmies, bananas, pretzels or whatever your heart desires.

I use a bowl, several cups, milk and a tablespoon for stirring. But, the most important component of a 'Swavel' is the continual twisting of the frozen concoction and constant scrutiny to make sure the texture and taste are just right. Without the proper stirring I would just be wasting my time.

It was the summer of 1988 in a kitchen outside of Altoona, PA where I made my first 'Swavel'. Something struck me to create. First, I scooped chocolate ice cream into several large glasses, then I poured the milk into the glasses and started to stir it by hand. The most difficult part was the pushing and twisting of the ice cream to loosen it, while occasionally adding milk to make the stirring easier. Like an artist, when he lands his first strokes on a naked canvas, a rush of euphoria overcame me as my creation came to life before my very eyes. A rare moment of unadultered joy.

This process reminds me of how God stirs within our souls as He continues to make us a work in progress. God is taking His time, which involves waiting, pouring in the right amount of milk, adding ingredients, and stirring occasionally till the mixture is just right. So, often the work God does in our lives is slow, tedious, and sometimes painful but the end result is something beyond what we could have ever imagine. Relax God knows what He is doing.

When I am dead and gone I believe the 'Swavel' will be my legacy. But, I wouldn't have it any other way, I am an artist with a spoon.

Man vs. quad: This makes two early mornings in a row that the quad has disturbed my sleep, but this time I had a pain pill waiting for it. Evidently, the quad is grafting since it has been reattached back to my knee and some moments are better than others. Don't count the man out yet.

Feel free to post any bug questions and I will do my best to answer them. As always perhaps we can share more next time.

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Defining Moments

Our lives are defined by moments. Just two weeks ago, I had an awkward one when I landed on my knee trying to reach first base in a softball game. Then a week later, I had a painful moment when I discovered my injured knee was actually a ruptured quadricep muscle and would require surgery. This now becomes a trying moment full of choices and opportunities, like seeing my daughter in the morning, hearing the birds sing all day long, and writing whenever the mood strikes.

In a paragraph, I'm a 42-year-old guy who has been married for 21 years to the only girl I ever dated. The father of a college age son and two daughters; one who's address was changed to heaven 10 years ago (at the age of 7) and one who was born in China.

Here is some other pertinent stuff about me. In the past 25 years, I have had several jobs, some including: exterminator, upholsterer, limo driver, janitor, and courier. I have also written devotionals and contributed to a book. I usually enjoy playing softball, but since I'll be spending this softball season on my posterior, a friend suggested I start a blog.

Hope you come by often and 'perhaps' share in some old and new moments to come.

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