Saturday, December 31, 2011

Visit to the Dentist

Hey All,  I guess that there are many people that dislike going to the dentist.  I 'm not all that fond of going either.............but, you got to go eventually.  This time was Tommys' turn to go.............
      Tommy planted his feet and told Mom, flat out, he wasn't going.  They argued back and forth for some time..........Mom told him, that if he didn't go, that she still would have to pay for the visit anyway.  That made no difference to Tom................he wasn't going.  Mom came to me and asked if I would go instead............She explained the circumstances.  I didn't mind going.............I was going to be next anyway.  I got cleaned up, changed my clothes, hopped on my bike and rode down in to Hatboro.  I explained the swap at the dentists office and everything went okay.  When I came out of his office it was raining.  Great!  Just what I wanted............to ride home and get soaking wet!  I rode with my head down trying not to get rain in my eyes as I peddled my way through town.  I was pretty miserable by the time I was most of the home............I was crossing the entrance to Stony Brook Apartments when I was knocked over and pinned to ground.  Instinctively, I reached out for anything that I could get my hands on.................I found a hood ornament.  The driver of a light green Ford Mustang had not looked right and hit me.  He continued to pull in to traffic........  I'm sure he was surprised to see a hand clawing at his hood.  Fortunately he noticed and put it reverse...........dragging me and the bicycle back off of Old York Road.  I was able to slip my leg out from under the bumper and between the bike.   An ambulance was called and I took a trip to Abington Hospital.  Shock must have set in..................on the way I just started to cry.    The EMT who was an older woman........to me she was anyway......................snapped at me and told me sternly, "don't you dare cry".  Funny thing.............I stopped........just like that.
       I was very fortunate...........aside from being a little banged up and bruised...........I was okay.  Mom got money for my bike from the insurance and a lot of drinking money.  I did get a new 10 speed bike out of it...............I only had it for two weeks before it was totaled.though......................that's another story.  My Guardian Angel sure has been busy.
                                      Until the next time.....................................God Bless


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Gus

Hey All,   I have learned that the old saying "what goes around comes around", happens more than we realize..  A form of justice and balance................in otherwise chaotic lives.........that seems random...... to come out of nowhere.  Anyone watching and that is aware of the details...........will tell you that this was far from random......especially when events and people come together to play out a part in their lifes' stories.   Parts only they can play to complete the story and regain balance...................a sort of poetic justice.
    Gus was assigned to 213th Aviation Co when he arrived in Korea.  He was a vehicle mechanic assigned to the motor pool with the rest of us.  He claimed to be from California and talked about how it was "the" only place to be from.  He was cocky and arrogant..........two qualities I had learned to distrust and dislike.  He was a PFC on arrival and after some time was promoted to SP4(CPL). He liked to brag about his last assignment............where he did and sold drugs and was very successful at it.  When CID law enforcement had evidence to arrest him............he turned himself in under an amnesty program that allowed drug users to get help.............without the fear of any  prosecution.   Yeah,  he loved the fact that he was so very smart...............smarter than almost everyone else.
       The motor SGT was SSG Ferguson...................a very fair, intelligent man who had been a motor SGT in his last assignment. We were short NCO's at the time so Gus was appointed "acting" SGT. for the work floor.........SP4 pay with a SGTs stripes and authority.   It went straight to his head...........it was a terrible mistake to give a guy like him any authority or power.  On one day after lunch, Gus and some of the other motor pool personnel had ridden back to work and left me behind to walk............no big deal, I could always use the exercise.  When I did get back, I returned to my desk for some paperwork that I needed for the afternoon.   I sat down and immediately felt a painful, electrical shock in my leg.  I stood up and had an arc of electricity shoot from fingers to the steel desk.........I stumbled backwards into my steel chair and an arc shot from chair to the back of my leg.   I then could hear the laughter coming from outside my door and I saw the wire that ran along the wall and was attached to my chair.   I had a temper flare...........I stormed out the door and I found Gus............red in the face and still laughing, trying to catch his breath.  I forgot  my military bearing and started a verbal assault on his carelessness and lack of leadership.  He started yelling at me to remind me that he now outranked me..........I told him that I was leaving the motor pool.........I was abandoning my post............for fear of my safety.   In reality it was for both of our safety.........I was on the edge of reason and I had to get out of there before I acted on my anger.  I told Gus that he could explain why I wasn't there  to SSG Ferguson and the Motor Officer.   On the walk back to the barracks, SSG Ferguson was driving by me in a Jeep.  He pulled a U-turn and drove up, asking me where I was going. Still smoldering with rage,  I gave him the details.............he told me to have a smoke, calm down  and walk back to the motor pool.  He would have it taken care of by the time I got back.  It was like nothing happened........... Gus was let off the hook............it was just horseplay they said.  For me it was an attack on my person...................I don't like it when that happens. What if I was physically injured from those electric shocks?  Dangerous horseplay.
Many days later, I would ask Gus for help to get to the post gate(as relayed in the story 213th Avn).  He wouldn't help me..............it was only 1\4 mile.............the outcome was not so pleasant for me .........and some others.
         Time passed and the dust settled from these events............at least on the surface.  I could still do my job and work with Gus in a professional manner.  I was eventually promoted to SP5/SGT..................and Gus went back to SP4/CPL. We continued to do our assigned jobs without any problems on the work floor.
I was assigned the job as a CP, which is Courtesy Patrol.  There aren't enough NCOs to accompany each MP patrol unit, so NCOs fro around post were randomly chosen to walk along.  CPs couldn't arrest anyone, but they were the "authority" on the patrol of lesser ranking MPs.  We walked through the bars were soldiers were relaxing...........some blowing off steam.  In one bar in particular, I felt a tug on my uniform at my chest..................then a beer bottle broke against the bar behind me,  showering me with glass......I wasn't severely  injured ........luckily.   We looked around but nobody knew who threw it.  We had just come into the dark bar from a brightly lit street............we couldn't see a thing.  We eventually continued our rounds of the bars...................when we were notified to return to a previous stop.  There was a fight a another patrol unit needed assistance.   We arrived in time to assist the other patrol in taking people into custody.   What do you know?   Gus was one of the first cuffed.   I stood guard over the men that were being brought out and when Gus saw me........................I was his long lost friend.  He tried to talk me into releasing him from his restraints and letting him walk..........................."sorry Gus. I can't do that"  But he had illegal drugs on him and in his system.................."I can't help you out with that Gus.  You know the Regs"  Why do you want to be like that man?  Were co-workers.......help a brother out. 
    I wouldn't have violated my duty....................But, I couldn't help reminding Gus of the night I needed a hand..................... his response and the ensuing trouble I had..............." I guess what goes around,Gus, really does come back around".  I couldn't help myself.................I was smiling.    He told me he could knock me to the ground and run...............I reminded him that I knew who he was and where he lived.  Besides, I was one of the fastest runners in the Company.  He wasn't going to get far.
    Amazing isn't it?  Of all the nights................of all the patrols....................it was mine that took Gus into custody.  Gus was punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  H was demoted from SP4 to PVT1................ dishonorably discharged .................and returned to civilian life. Karma some call it..........others refer to Gods hand....................whatever you believe............I don't believe in coincidences, not like this.
                              Until next time.............................Gos Bless.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Night Before Christmas

Hey All,         Sometimes you need to just be able to laugh...............or cry..........or, maybe even both.   With no guarantees in life or promises of a rose garden....................remember what really counts.  We were raised poor..........so this is just another Christmas with familiar feel.  However.....................I have much more than I have ever had.....................at any point in my life.   Give thanks..............
      The night before Christmas.................there was no tree or gifts in the house,
I was on unemployment................we were as poor as a church mouse.
No phone, no cable..................we're two months behind on the rent,
The last of our savings.................on the electric bill was spent.
With Ma working at the market................at least there was food on the table,
And next month I get new hearing aids...............from the VA, I am able.
We're behind on our debts.........................including water and sewer,
We can't afford gifts again............with our dollars so fewer.
Ma, with her ear plugs..............I with a dog at my feet,
Had settled in once again...............for another restless nights sleep.
The Children and Grandchild live far away...............he had to work again,
Was this the second or third..................straight holiday.
With no money for travel............................no family would we see
A celebration as a family................. was just not meant to be.
The greatest of presents...............the commercials do shout,
We all should remember.............what Christmas is really about.
It is about family and friends.............held dear in our hearts
A time of joy and laughter...............even for a new love to start.
If the Father hadn't sent us Jesus................where would we be,
He has provided us with everything.............that we really ever need.
I wish we could always recall....................why Jesus had came,
To save our souls.................and relieve our shame.
Though silver and gold can hold a bright shine,
Without the Love of  The Father and Jesus............we'd be lost for all time.
May your Christmas be merry and your stockings full,
Let your love shine to others.................let Jesus be seen in you.
                   Until next............................God Bless.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Saying Good-Bye

Hey All,   We all have times when we say a farewell to important people in our lives.  How many of us, have not seen friends from school or our childhood friends since...........................well, a long time ago.  We all know, that life is a journey full of so many twists and turns.................but, there are no do-overs.................we only get one chance at life.  The  memories are yours to keep in your heart and take with you where ever you may go............some are the most precious of unexpected  keepsakes................ captured in your heart.
     On May 16th, 1986, my father passed away.  I sat at the dining room table at Grandmoms house................looking over my shoulder at my fathers ashen gray face.  Out of nowhere , I heard a voice that said he was going to die.  I shook the thought from my mind....................I reasoned, of course, we all will..................someday.  His health was bad..........................we all knew this.  What I didn't know as that he was ready for it............................had accepted it as  the inevitable conclusion of his life.....................and he knew it would be soon.
     I went to work that day, just as I had many times before.  Dad wasn't feeling very well and was a bit surly as he lumbered his way up the lane to the garden.  I told Charlie to go along with Grandpop as I got in my car..............Dad turned around as Charlie called to him and said, "what do you want?"  " I want to be with you Grandpop" came the reply.  "Oh alright!  Come on then!"   Off they went...............Dad postured a lot as a gruff kind of guy.................but, he loved that boy and was so proud to introduce him where ever they went, as his Grandson.    I think he had a hard time expressing some of his emotions, as many men do............especially when they had to do with the tender side of his heart.  We all learn to be who and what we are from the example set for us by others.................. his father was an alcoholic, that example ..............sucks.  Dad, had to figure out fatherhood on his own................................so did Tom and I.
       I got a call at work, telling me that Dad had passed away.................................30 minutes after I had left him.  Charlie was with him as well as Grandmom.......................he died about 80 feet from the bedroom he was born in................ he was 54 years old.  At the hospital, Dad was put in a room behind the ER....................they were waiting for his heart to stop fluttering before they could pronounce him deceased.  As I stood by his bed , I realized that this was near to last time I would have to say what was on my mind...............................for years.
    So, I leaned over him and said "You wouldn't let me do this when you were alive" and I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek ."I love you Dad."
     Life is hard enough,  without making it harder........................on ourselves.  If there's someone in your life that you love, appreciate or care for.....................tell them.............while you both can share what it really means to you.  I know.............with some folks it's ..................difficult.  Like a porcupine.................sometimes , you're the porcupine.  It's never , ever, to late for a hug and to say I love you...................I can guarantee, you'll regret it if  you miss the chance and it never returns.
                         Until next time..............................God Bless.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Short Circuit

Hey All,    Most everyone of us, has a moment or two that we react without thought.....................just pure emotion.  This is not the most recommended way to approach our difficulties..........................................but many times...............it's the most honest and straight-forward.
       In the Spring of 1984.................when Charlie, his birth mother, and I came to the USA from Korea,...........well, we had issues we had to work through ...............except we didn't.  Sounds like many couples I know.........................but many couples didn't have our circumstances either.  Trust is given to another, with only so much rope.....................................all trust from that point onward is earned.  I tried to forgive and forget............to let my first anniversary pass from our lives unnoticed.  I was taught from a biblical standpoint to turn the other cheek...................unfortunately, I only have four.
      It first started, when she began not to come home at night.  Now , I didn't need a road map............but, there were other events that .............well, let's just say that I ran out of cheeks to turn.  The next event was a phone call in the middle of the night............I had just watched a movie called "If a man answers, hang up".   Well, I answered and whomever it was,   hung up, a chill ran down my neck............couldn't be.  Later, when she answered..........it was a male, Korean voice clearly audible to me at 4 Am..   When I asked who it was , she told me it was her girlfriend.................that woman need female hormone injections.  Next, came Hectors' wife..........she had already been caught with another woman's husband............................a fact that I'd already been told by my wife about.  The woman wanted an excuse to leave her husband.............what are friends for?    She came for dinner and we all went for a swim at the apartment pool.....................................where she grabbed my crotch, while obscured below the waters surface..................later, she exposed her naked breasts to me......................while I was feeding Charlie as I sat on the Sofa...........my spouse was in the shower.   Then came the Friday that was ever so special...............she called me at work and told me to pick Charlie up at the babysitters.  She wasn't going to be available.  I asked where she was going to be and was told...........................none of my business.  On the following Sunday, she called collect ........just to check in.  I guess she was trying to gauge my mindset..............maybe she felt guilty....................nah.   When the phone bill came in............I called the number listed ...............................Best Western, Deming New Mexico.
       I was frustrated, hurt,betrayed.................... once again.  Damn, I was a dumb ass!  The guys I worked with in the motorpool were going to a large dance club called "Dallas".............I was invited to go.............it was my first................................. and last outing in El Paso, Texas.  I walked in the door with a heavy cloud hanging over my head.  I tried to fit in............................be one of the guys.  All I could think about was what was happening in my home life.   The more Tequila I consumed, the more angry and depressed I became. I walked out into the parking lot.......knowing I was not fit company.  I sat down in between parked cars and tried to think...................the only emotion I had now was rage.  I punched a car over and over until I felt the bone in my right  hand snap.  I realized what I had done and rolled  onto my side and eventually passed out.  The guys found me and I slept into the morning hours before formation, (gathering of the troops).  I was permitted to go home and get into uniform and return to duty.  I was amazed that I hadn't heard from my superiors................................braking my hand was destruction of government property by their standard  .  I worked throughout the day as my hangover passed and my pain increased.................I knew it was to good to be true.    The Commanding Officer and First Sargent walked through the door to see me personally.....................they asked about what had happened ,and I interrupted them.......................asking if I could get down in the front leaning rest position and give them 20 push ups before we started.   I was allowed to proceed...................and gave them 20 push ups with a broken right hand.   They looked at each other and the CO stated that, it must have hurt like hell............. I agreed.  Then  they concluded our meeting................that was it. .My face was beet red............ but , I had to show them that I was willing to accept my punishment..................and my pain.  .After work, I went home,  got a shower, went to the military hospital and had my hand set in a cast.
         The CO could have pulled me in for disciplinary action..................I'm thankful that he was an understanding man. Was I wrong?  Absolutely.   I can't and won't try to justify my behavior or actions.  This wouldn't be my first broken bone due to my inability to adjust to my circumstances........................I have broken many of my possessions as well.   Inside there is a anger that I couldn't seem to find an outlet for..............I blame myself, so I hurt myself.  Enough for this day.
                                  Until next time.........................................God Bless.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

United As One

Hey All,   There are times in everybodys' life, when circumstances rise, that we call acts of God.   They are hard to work through and accept..................prayer, faith and the loving support from those in your life that care about you....................will see you through them.
      In the 2005,  we were busily consumed by circumstances beyond our control.  Mom passed away and although I had expected this to happen.......................I was surprised that it hadn't happened long ago. We returned home after her funeral and settled in to our lives again.  Charlie was working with me.............earning money for school and picking up some trade skills along the way.  In the 1st week of April, while I was at Dr appointment............................Charlie was crushed between the tailgate of my work truck and the back of another car.  He was organizing my tools as he waited for me in the parking lot.................a young lady, backing her car and talking on her cell phone with her dad,  wasn't paying attention.  Charlies' leg was crushed.............but not broken, as well as wrenching his lower spine.  He has recovered with physical therapy and Gods grace.
      A week after Charlies accident, on beautiful Sunday morning...................Penny found a lump in her breast.  I rescheduled all my jobs and took her to the walk in clinic the next morning.  Health care for anyone with cancer is pretty fast paced.............you move from doctor to doctor...............so that your treatment begins immediately...............your chance of survival is better.  It was a tough six months for Penny............anyone who has had chemotherapy, knows the toll it takes on your body and soul.  They feel overall.................lousy.  They watch their hair fall out.................and cry.  All anyone can do for them is to hold them............be there for them.............let them know you love them.....................no matter what.  I fell in love with a woman..........................a person..........a soul.  I still will love her, even if she should lose her hair...................or have a mastectomy, which she didn't need to do. Penny has given me her love and has been dedicated to me.......................how can I be anything else for her?  Especially, when she needs me most.  After chemo, then there's radiation.................daily doses, and a medication called  tomoxifen...............a drug to help stop any more tumors.   Through the accidents and illness................we have survived.  We didn't have health insurance....................I was self employed and couldn't afford it.  Charlie and Penny are both doing well.  Charlie has made a full recovery and hikes the Adirondacks on a regular basis. I'm very proud of the man he has............... and will continue to become.  Penny is six years from the horrible illness that had caused her so much anguish......................she is cancer free. She still works for the local market.........................and loves to cook....................I am a lucky man.    We are very, very thankful......................for there were so many that cared and prayed.......................God answered those prayers.  At a time of the year, when we celebrate Gods greatest gift...........................one to be treasured above all others..................remember that, what is important isn't the silver and gold.......................it's the gift of love.  Through God....................through the ones who wipe your brow when your sick............ ....hold you when your scared.................love you despite your flaws.....................and pray for your soul.
         Penny and Charlie were saved by Gods hand..........................................and they were here for me, when I needed to be saved from myself.  We find ourselves without health care once again.................thanks to CBSD.    It's  hard to remain positive,  when you have been surrounded by so much negative for so long.  I am reminded by friends and my family........................I am not alone.  I know that this is true..........I have God, Penny, Charlie, Tom and other close family members that support and believe in me..........and many of you too. Thank you for the giving a part of yourselves........................ Merry Christmas.
                                        Until next time...............................God Bless.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Kitchen Help

Hey All,    Everyone should spend a little time in the kitchen.  There's lots to learn if you keep an open mind and who knows, you may just expand your skill set..............always start with a clean kitchen.
      I was in 9th grade the 1st time I was taught how to work in the kitchen.  It was around 11 Pm and I had come down to get a glass of water.  My mother was sitting in the dark living room,  celebrating the another day...............I thought she had gone to bed earlier.  The kitchen and diniing rooms were disaster areas.............Mom was on another bender and hadn't cleaned or done much of anything, but drink,  for a couple of days.  She came up behind me and told me to clean the kitchen and dining rooms.......................dishes, countertops, table and floors. I refused...........I told her I had to go to school in the morning and this would take hours.  I started to finish my water when she grabbed a handful of hair from the back of my head and yanked.  As I stood staring at the ceiling..................she insured my obedience...............I still wanted that hair she had hold of.   I cleaned everything as instructed..........it only took me to 1:45 Am to finish everything she wanted done.  The next morning, we 3 boys came down the steps for school......she asked Joe if he had cleaned everything up..............he said no.  Tom was next...........he didn't know anything about it.   As I was the only one left..........................it must have been me.   I was very tired at school the next day.................as with many days that followed the long nights..........I slept in class.  It didn't do much for my grades...............not that anyone cared or checked.
     In the Autumn of my 10th grade year, the same scenario was repeated................after all, it worked before, why not again?   It was late afternoon on yet another sunny , warm day.................Mom, came drunk into the kitchen and instructed me to clean...........................I refused.   I told her she was drunk and to go sleep it off.  A fairly large mistake on my part..................I went to the cellar and was looking for some of my fishing stuff as the season was about to begin.  I should have paid more attention..............Mom came down to the cellar with a belt wrapped with half of its length around her fist.............Dad a spare.  Mom said that I would not disobey her and she swung the buckle end, as I took a step away from her.  The heavy buckle caught me at the base of  the back of my head........................I ran, keeping the boiler and support columns between us.  She chased me in this circle for a few minutes before she gave up and went back upstairs..............time for another drink.  I stood there in the dark cellar,  listening to hear if she was coming back.  I felt dizzy, sick to my stomache.............so I laid down on the cold concrete floor.  After an hour or so, I felt a little better and figured that I should find a safer place..................when I got off the floor, the back of my head was wet and sticky................the concrete was wet with my blood.  It was time I left for safer ground.
     This was not the end.  I just learned to move faster.................not to assume that because Mom was drunk, that she was harmless........she had taught me otherwise.  I will always remember those days with wonder......................I may not be the smartest person in the world...................but I sure had a special education.  Who knew that working in the kitchen could be so hazardous?
                             Until the next time.............................God Bless.