"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul."
George Bernard Shaw
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Life and Death in Temple
Yesterday my wife and I drove to the hospital to visit a couple of friends whose new- born baby boy is suffering from an intestinal blockage. Initially, there was quite a bit of concern for the little guy, but to everyone's relief, things are looking much better. We concluded our visit and headed back to the elevators to leave. That is when we witnessed something we are not likely to forget.
As we waited for the elevator, my wife and I noticed a large wheelchair-bound man. He seemed to be quietly crying. He sat there alone near the nurse's station for Labor and Delivery and I wondered what was wrong. Though we did not exchange any words, I knew my wife had noticed him as well.
Where was that elevator?
As we waited, an older lady came out of the swinging doors separating the old man from the delivery rooms. The lady came out talking a hundred miles an hour about the birth she had just witnessed. I assume it was this couple's daughter that had just become a mom though that was never expressly stated.
"The baby is beautiful and looks just like her", she said.
"Momma", the old man said quietly while looking down.
The old lady seemed not to hear him or notice his tears or cracking voice and continued to talk excitedly.
"He's tow headed and strong", she continued rapidly.
The old man tried to interject again. "Momma."
Again, she did not seem to hear him but continued to relay the details of the miraculous event she had just witnessed.
"She did great! You would have been so proud of her. She's worn out now but is doing fine", she gushed.
This time, with more force, the old man got her attention. "Momma!"
It was obvious something was wrong. My wife and I both began to feel a bit uncomfortable. Where was that stupid elevator? I pushed the button again.
We were not able to hear the next portion of the conversation as the old man relayed his news to his wife quietly. We averted our eyes to give the couple a semblance of privacy though we were only a few feet apart. It was only when the old lady nearly shouted at the poor old man that we learned what had transpired.
"You mean to tell me he killed himself? My brother has killed himself? Today of all days?" She began to weep.
Where was that stupid elevator?
The old man tried to comfort her but she would have none of it. She turned away from him and came toward my wife and me. She stopped directly in front of us and pushed the same elevator button I had been pushing. The elevator did not cooperate with her either, however. She put her head against the wall and began to cry. I wanted to do something but merely stood frozen and stared at the motionless elevator doors. I could tell my wife wanted to reach out to her. I think she may have taken a small step toward the lady but about that time the old man wheeled closer and again tried to offer some comfort.
"Momma, let me hold you", he implored.
She turned away from him again and walked back the way she had come and left him sitting there to cry alone in front of two total strangers. The misery of this couple was overpowering. Finally, one of the nurses who had been watching these events unfold stepped out from behind her station and took the old woman and her husband somewhere behind the swinging doors of Labor and Delivery. It was only after they disappeared from view that the elevator finally arrived and the doors opened. My wife and I rode silently down to the first floor pondering what we had seen and heard.
I have found it difficult to get this old couple out of my mind. I can't even imagine the mixed emotions this family must be enduring. I don't think I've ever seen pure joy turn to absolute misery so quickly. It was a terrible thing to witness. I ache for this family. What should be a joyous birthday every year will now be, at best, a bittersweet occasion. It was a reminder of how precious life is and how we should appreciate every minute we are given on this earth. Even more so, it was a reminder of how we should cherish our loved ones. After all, tomorrow is not promised to us.
My best...
As we waited for the elevator, my wife and I noticed a large wheelchair-bound man. He seemed to be quietly crying. He sat there alone near the nurse's station for Labor and Delivery and I wondered what was wrong. Though we did not exchange any words, I knew my wife had noticed him as well.
Where was that elevator?
As we waited, an older lady came out of the swinging doors separating the old man from the delivery rooms. The lady came out talking a hundred miles an hour about the birth she had just witnessed. I assume it was this couple's daughter that had just become a mom though that was never expressly stated.
"The baby is beautiful and looks just like her", she said.
"Momma", the old man said quietly while looking down.
The old lady seemed not to hear him or notice his tears or cracking voice and continued to talk excitedly.
"He's tow headed and strong", she continued rapidly.
The old man tried to interject again. "Momma."
Again, she did not seem to hear him but continued to relay the details of the miraculous event she had just witnessed.
"She did great! You would have been so proud of her. She's worn out now but is doing fine", she gushed.
This time, with more force, the old man got her attention. "Momma!"
It was obvious something was wrong. My wife and I both began to feel a bit uncomfortable. Where was that stupid elevator? I pushed the button again.
We were not able to hear the next portion of the conversation as the old man relayed his news to his wife quietly. We averted our eyes to give the couple a semblance of privacy though we were only a few feet apart. It was only when the old lady nearly shouted at the poor old man that we learned what had transpired.
"You mean to tell me he killed himself? My brother has killed himself? Today of all days?" She began to weep.
Where was that stupid elevator?
The old man tried to comfort her but she would have none of it. She turned away from him and came toward my wife and me. She stopped directly in front of us and pushed the same elevator button I had been pushing. The elevator did not cooperate with her either, however. She put her head against the wall and began to cry. I wanted to do something but merely stood frozen and stared at the motionless elevator doors. I could tell my wife wanted to reach out to her. I think she may have taken a small step toward the lady but about that time the old man wheeled closer and again tried to offer some comfort.
"Momma, let me hold you", he implored.
She turned away from him again and walked back the way she had come and left him sitting there to cry alone in front of two total strangers. The misery of this couple was overpowering. Finally, one of the nurses who had been watching these events unfold stepped out from behind her station and took the old woman and her husband somewhere behind the swinging doors of Labor and Delivery. It was only after they disappeared from view that the elevator finally arrived and the doors opened. My wife and I rode silently down to the first floor pondering what we had seen and heard.
I have found it difficult to get this old couple out of my mind. I can't even imagine the mixed emotions this family must be enduring. I don't think I've ever seen pure joy turn to absolute misery so quickly. It was a terrible thing to witness. I ache for this family. What should be a joyous birthday every year will now be, at best, a bittersweet occasion. It was a reminder of how precious life is and how we should appreciate every minute we are given on this earth. Even more so, it was a reminder of how we should cherish our loved ones. After all, tomorrow is not promised to us.
My best...
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Classic Tune of the Week 15
Today I am posting one of my favorite Stevie Nicks songs. “After The Glitter Fades” is a country tinged ballad that peaked at #32 on the Billboard Charts back in 1981. The song was one of four hit singles from Nicks’ debut solo album Bella Donna. The album was released in July of 1981 and reached #1 in September. The album held onto the #1 spot for only one week but achieved platinum status in October. Bella Donna is Nicks’ most successful solo album and has sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Other hits from the album include “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”, “Leather and Lace”, and “Edge of Seventeen”.
My crush on Stevie Nicks is well known to all who know me. While I’ve always felt Nicks was a beautiful woman it was her voice that really hooked me. You recognize Nicks’ voice from the first note no matter the song. The other thing that drew me to Stevie Nicks was that there always seemed to be something a little sad about her. Maybe it was just the effect of her doe-like brown eyes but I’ve always gotten the impression that there is a bit of melancholy within Nicks.
"After The Glitter Fades" is very different from other Stevie Nicks songs. It could easily pass for a pure country song. Maybe that is why it doesn’t get much airtime these days. In any case, it remains one of my favorites. The video below is a recording of the actual piano only demo tape of the song with Nicks playing, singing, and providing her own backing vocals. A slide show of Nicks pictures is included. I hope you enjoy it.
My best...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Return to Running
I recently re-established contact with an old college friend of mine named Derek Westbrook. Derek was one of those guys who could run all day long. He has kept it up over the years and has a pretty interesting blog (now listed to the right) that details his adventures in distance running.
As most of you know, I, too, got into distance running several years back. I ran many 5K and 10K races. I also completed a half marathon and two full marathons (Austin twice). While training for the second marathon I began to suffer from multiple foot injuries. I managed to complete the race but really had a hard time and was not able to run or train much at all for over a year. Derek has inspired me to get back out there and start running again.
My "come back" got off to a promising start. I ran my first 5K race in over two years about three weeks ago. I ran the Bloomin' Temple 5K here in town and, despite not having run more than three or four times all year, finished second in my age group. The time was slow and the competition was weak but a silver medal is a silver medal. I managed to get through the race without injuring myself. I was sore the next day but felt good otherwise. Life intervened, along with laziness soon afterward, and I have done next to nothing since the race.
I thought if I wrote down my struggles with getting back into shape I might stick with it a little better. That is my hope, anyway. So, I will be updating this blog with my progress, or lack thereof, regularly. I got started tonight with a three mile run. I ran at a sloth-like pace of just under ten minutes per mile. This pace is ok with me for now as I need to re-establish my base and get my legs and feet used to pounding the road again. I need to take things very slow and do all I can to avoid injury. Speed work will have to wait for at least a month or two.
Wish me luck on my quest for better fitness.
My best...
As most of you know, I, too, got into distance running several years back. I ran many 5K and 10K races. I also completed a half marathon and two full marathons (Austin twice). While training for the second marathon I began to suffer from multiple foot injuries. I managed to complete the race but really had a hard time and was not able to run or train much at all for over a year. Derek has inspired me to get back out there and start running again.
My "come back" got off to a promising start. I ran my first 5K race in over two years about three weeks ago. I ran the Bloomin' Temple 5K here in town and, despite not having run more than three or four times all year, finished second in my age group. The time was slow and the competition was weak but a silver medal is a silver medal. I managed to get through the race without injuring myself. I was sore the next day but felt good otherwise. Life intervened, along with laziness soon afterward, and I have done next to nothing since the race.
I thought if I wrote down my struggles with getting back into shape I might stick with it a little better. That is my hope, anyway. So, I will be updating this blog with my progress, or lack thereof, regularly. I got started tonight with a three mile run. I ran at a sloth-like pace of just under ten minutes per mile. This pace is ok with me for now as I need to re-establish my base and get my legs and feet used to pounding the road again. I need to take things very slow and do all I can to avoid injury. Speed work will have to wait for at least a month or two.
Wish me luck on my quest for better fitness.
My best...
Ted Nugent on the 2nd Amendment
In the video below Ted Nugent gives his views on the 2nd Amendment. The man makes a lot of sense to me.
My best...
My best...
Quote of the Week 6
"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."
Leo Buscaglia
Leo Buscaglia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
