THE McCARTY METRO
MY FINAL THOUGHT

Hello to all of our McCarty Metro readers. I hope you had a nice May.

I had many nice comments on the new layout of the Metro, and lots of participation in our polls, questions, etc. I hope EVERYONE takes a minute and particpates in this month's issue.

I am looking forward to the 17th Annual Dan McCarty Golf Classic on June 2nd at Twin Lakes. Geesh... I can't believe he has been gone that long. I was watching videos of him and my Dad recently, and they brought a smile to my face, and fun memories. Hope you get a chance to see the softball video on the Blast From The Past Page. That was taken 11 months before Dad passed.

Mom is back home after recouping from her surgery. She is doing well, and I know she would just love some calls, cards and visits.

Special congrats goes out to my nephew Evan, who is now part of the Guinness World Book of Records. He took part in Rock the Rhythm – Beat the Odds which formed the largest drum circle ever.

I share the story of Evan because I'm sure it will be a great memory in which he will have forever. Some of the best memories I have is of my childhood as well. By no means were we rich. Rather, a household of 10 on a cops salary back in the 50's - 70's made for a more modest living. I was always especially excited this time of year as a kid because of summer vacation. NO SCHOOL! Some of my favorite times consisted of what we did. If we camped out in the backyard, we didn't have a fancy tent like some do now, we threw a blanket over the clothes line to form the V. No sleeping bags, just several blankets on the ground and a few mosquito chasers (punk) on the outside of the entrance to our wonderful home away from home. We didn't have video games either, we had a baseball, glove and bat. We didn't get driven to the park either, we walked or rode our bikes with our brothers and friends, talking the whole way. If we were at home, we didn't call or text our friends to see if they wanted to do something, we walked to their house and called out their names by the side door. We didn't go out to eat at a restaurant, Mom would always have a wonderful dish on the table, enough for everyone with some left-overs.

And our summer trips weren't halfway around the world, or even cross country. They weren't even out of state. We went as a family to Irish Hills, a Tiger game, Port Austin, the Detroit Zoo, or just running down hills at Hines Park. I never even left the state until I was 17. And, not to steal from Jerry, but I didn't care... I loved it. Because we were together as a family.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that my best memories were of a more modest time. I know I probably sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but miss the simple stuff. Hopefully, I instilled in my kids some of those same type of wonderful childhood memories as well. My final thought I leave you this month is about a father who showered his son with material things to try to "force" good memories, then showed him how grateful he should be.

Enjoy...

One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "Very good Dad!" "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Yeah!" "And what did you learn?"

The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have a whole horizon." When the little boy was finished, his father was speechless. His son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how 'poor' we are!"

Isn't it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude towards life -- you've got everything! You can't buy any of these things. You may have all the material possessions you can imagine, provisions for the future, etc.; but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!

Have a wonderful June, and make some memories...

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