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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.
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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?" |
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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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