Just Me Being Me

January 3, 2010

Two Different Men – One Common Theme

Filed under: Normal — Dennis Amason @ 11:57 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Being born into a very large family is a blessing but it’s hard at the same time. Having parents with many friends who love you like family is also a blessing but it’s also hard. It’s hard having to say goodbye and tomorrow, we will say goodbye to two men who mean the world to me.

Just about every memory I have has my Uncle Clark and Walter Johnson in it. These two different men, always treated me the same. Joking, laughing, loving and at times, correcting. 

Uncle Clark – Thanks A Million

Clark E. Wooldridge, had a way with me. I don’t know what it was but he could always make me smile and I especially liked getting to talk to him about many things. My earliest childhood memory of Uncle Clark came in Las Vegas, NM at the Hillcrest Inn Restaurant.

We were on our way to the mountains and I ordered french toast. (That was my favorite as a kid) When the french toast came, Uncle Clark told me not to eat it. It had powdery white stuff on it and he told me it was maggots. You can’t believe what that will do to a little kid. I not only freaked out and didn’t eat it then; I didn’t eat french toast with powdered sugar on it until well into my teenage years! That’s the kind of stuff Uncle Clark and I got to laugh about.

Uncle Clark was a great husband to my Aunt Barbara, a loving and correcting father to Ted, Tracey and Christy and a wonderful grandfather for his grandkids to look up to. He proudly served our country in World War II while in the Navy and loved being on the water. I can remember times at the lake in his sailboat and I always wanted to sail the ocean with him. What a time he’s having today sailing in heaven!

Uncle Clark also loved taking pictures and has quite a library of our family history in pictures. He and Aunt Barbara have so very greatly photographed our family and it has allowed us all to look back at easier times, harder times and loving times. Thanks for that Uncle Clark, you and Aunt Barbara have captured our family history forever.

You will never know how much you meant to me and those Yankee Dimes you and Elisabeth shared are still with her. As we told her of your passing, she, like all of us, was very sad. Elisabeth thought of you as more than an uncle. She and Garrett looked to you as a grandfather and someone who loved them very much. 

I will never forget our times together. Your pictures are here forever but more importantly, the lessons you taught us are with us forever. You’re already missed but we know you’re in peace. Thanks for everything and never forget we love you!

Walter Johnson – What A Damn Mess!

I was introduced to Walter Johnson as a very young boy and I was terrified of him. He was tall and had a deep voice that carried for miles. It frightened me and to tell you the truth, there was no reason for me to fear this gentle giant!

My earliest memory of Walter happened at Camp RYLA in Summerlife, NM. As we were leaving RYLA, Walter asked me what I had in my grasp. I had been given a ping-pong ball, I know, no big deal to you but a very big deal to me, by one of the campers. Walter took the ball from my grasp and put it in his mouth. Once again, I freaked out and as he gave me back a squished ball, he said, you’ll never forget this Denny. Well, as you can see, I didn’t forget it.

Walter was a jokester to all and always had a new story, new song to play on his harmonica or some sort of life lesson to leave with you. Walter was a sportsman and it still amazes me as to what he did in his life. He talked to everyone crudely and had a nickname for everyone. He called my dad Mudd, my wife, well, I won’t say and me, the ultimate rug rat!

He loved being around all people and it seems as everyone in the world knew Walter. He taught me life lessons and showed me enough love every time I saw him to leave my heart full. From frightful times like my dad breaking his neck and Walter driving 90 to nothing around the New Mexico mountains and just being there for my mom at times of need, we are forever thankful.

We will miss our friend but know he’s playing jokes up in heaven and walking from mountaintop to mountaintop he never got to walk here on earth.

Tomorrow will be hard as we say goodbye forever and celebrate the lives of these two different men. But my heart is full because these two men had a common theme in my life. Love, Love, Love. That’s all these men had and that’s all they leave with us.

Thanks Uncle Clark and Walter. This world has been forever changed by your lives and so I am. I love you both and can’t wait for our reunion!

I love you all!!

September 23, 2009

The Career Man – Part 3

Filed under: Short Stories — Dennis Amason @ 11:20 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

As Carrie drove off from the airport, she was crushed. She thought John would change his mind and say he would be back in a couple of weeks, but it didn’t happen. On her way back home, she thought about what the future held for her. Could she really face the future without John?

She didn’t know if she could wait six months to talk to John but knew this is what he wanted. But in six months she’d talk to him again and then maybe she could tell him them. Or, if he saw her in six months, he’d know what she needed to tell him. He’d know just how much she needed him over the past few months and just maybe, he would then stay. Many changes were coming in her life and she had nobody to help her, she thought.

The change Carrie knew was coming started about two months prior on a trip with John. They had gone on a tirp to a remote island in the Pacific and they had a weekend of what seemed to be never ending love. They had not done this to this point in their relationship but with the beach in the background, they couldn’t help it. They had finally realized their love for each other and this beautiful moment was now more than that. It was a moment of change and Carrie didn’t feel she was ready now that John had left.

That weekend Carrie had gotten pregnant and now she was all alone being the care taker for her parents and for a baby that was due in just a few months. She really wanted to tell John but didn’t want to push him into a corner and make him feel as if he had to give up his dreams to tend to a family. She knew he would stay if he knew a baby was coming but she did not want that to be the reason he stayed. He needed to go and spread his wings and in a few months, maybe things would be so they could be together again.

Carrie loved John but just didn’t know what to think. She was beginnning to see a side of John she didn’t know was there. This man who she had fallen in love with was more in love with his career than her in her mind and just didn’t understand why he felt the need to try to advance rather than find something else. Even if it were with another company and starting over. She felt they were going to have to start all over in six months but she was trying to force herself to understand his reasoning. She hurt badly but told herself she understood. She was also happy with her career but knew she would have to change companies now because it would get back to John about her being pregnant.

Carrie had never started over but now she would. A new job, a baby on the way and her parents health badly diminishing. Carrie was lost in it all but knew things would get better. Or just hoped it would get better. Time heals all pain she thought and she wondered on her way back home what John was thinking on his flight home. Was he sad? Did he cry at all? Does he have a clue about her being pregnant? Could he go six months without her? Will he be back? And finally, does he really love her?

These thoughts went through her head and she couldn’t help but think her phone might ring and it be John asking her to come back and pick him up. But it didn’t happen. John boarded his Continental flight back to New York and was ready to face the next six months.

All he knew was he had left her heart broken and he would be back and things would be alright. But John had no idea what would happen once he arrived back in New York. His life was about to take a huge change and it would impact him forever.

To be continued…

The Career Man – Part 2

Filed under: Short Stories — Dennis Amason @ 11:01 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

As Carrie drove John to the airport, there was complete silence. No talking about their decision and a bit of nervousness in both of them. They had fallen in love with each other but for now they have decided to put things on hold until something changed.

This decision was extremely tough but it was the one John thought was best. He really wanted to move to Houston, get married and start a family but didn’t see a way to make it work with his career. He was determined to make his career his main priority until he felt it time to make a change and until he felt he could find a job he thought fit him in Houston. He knew this was risky but John had always been a risk taker. And had never thought he would ever miss on a risk, especially this one.

Carrie on the other hand was hurt. Almost to the point of destroyed. She really thought John would rather start a family than a career and she was beginning to think if she really knew him at all. She had to stay in Houston to take care of her parents and there was no way she would move to New York with them still in Houston.

This decision was made and now both of them were rethinking what they, mainly John, thought was best. But in the end, John was ready to board a flight and not see Carrie for a while. It might be hard but he thought if he worked enough, it would ease his mind.

As they pulled up to the airport, John looked at Carrie and broke the silence. “I still love you Carrie, I just think this is the best way right now.” As Carrie looked into his eyes, she began crying and couldn’t say anything. She was crushed and just wanted him to get out of the car. She couldn’t look at him any longer.

There was more she wanted to say but couldn’t at this time. She had to let John go because she felt if she asked him to stay there would always be regret and it would hinder their relationship. John opened the car door and as he began to get out, he leaned over, gave her a kiss and said “I love you Carrie.” Carrie sat in cold silence, crying and wiping her eyes. As John shut the door to her car, a crying Carrie whispered, “I love you too John but you have no idea what the future holds for us.”

To be continued….

August 3, 2009

The Career Man

Filed under: Short Stories — Dennis Amason @ 1:19 am
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

As John rolled out of bed and headed to get ready for the day, he couldn’t help but wonder if  this was it. It was not a typical Saturday for John but one that he had to get ready for anyway. As he stared at himself in the mirror waiting on the shower to heat up, he just couldn’t help but think about the past and future. But today was the day most on his mind and John wondered if he had done enough.

John was your typical high school student who played sports, studied and couldn’t help but get ready for the future. He was raised by his parents to be respectful and to prepare himself to take care of his family, no matter what the cost.

John saw his dad work 2 jobs at times and saw his mom clean houses and work other jobs to help pay the bills. This is what he did not want for his family so after high school, John attended college to prepare for his future career. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life but he was very smart and knew he could do anything. His life was on track and he was on track to graduate with his M.B.A. in only 5 years.

Upon graduation, John found a job that he knew would suit him best. He took a job with a consulting firm that promised to have plenty of room for advancement. Nothing had ever gotten in John’s way to his future once he set his mind on a career. He made it through high school in the top 10% of his class and finished college with an honors degree. John was sought after by many top American companies and he soon took a job with U.S. Consulting. They were young, energetic and ready to make a top executive out of John. John loved his job and worked hard as a 23 year old up and coming junior executive. He made it to where he wanted to be and was now set on his career, no matter what the cost.

John’s career was booming and on a business trip, his life would change forever. While in Atlanta for a conference, John met a “rookie” with U.S. Consulting named Carrie. She reminded him of someone from his past and was excited to see someone as excited about their career as him.

But what John didn’t see was a fire burning inside him and Carrie. At first it seemed to just be about business but soon, their relationship would turn to much more. But a couple of problems existed. He lived in New York and she was in Houston. And according to their company, they couldn’t get married and work together.

They talked about what to do and it just didn’t seem they could get something worked out. Carrie was alright with giving up her job but couldn’t move to New York because she was the caretaker for her parents. John didn’t want to give up his career but the company didn’t have a place for him in Houston. What to do was killing both of them because so badly they wanted to start a life together. But they just didn’t see a way, unless John was to quit and find a job in Houston. But after looking around at many companies in the Houston area, John just couldn’t find a job.

As they discussed it over a long weekend together, they finally knew what they had to do. They knew at this point there was no turning back from this decision. No matter how hard or how frustrating this would be, they knew this was the best decision for both of them at this time. But was it the right decision for their future? Only time would tell and they promised to have no regrets. It was easy to say but hard to do.

To be continued…..

March 22, 2009

The Journey – Hope Arises

Filed under: Short Stories — Dennis Amason @ 10:13 pm
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

After being back home for a bit over a week, Jack finally started to realize how special this place was to his family. The school was the place where he learned to read and started one of the most precious friendships someone could ask for. As a first grader, Jack met his buddy, Jose. Jose was someone Jack thought of often and never thought he would see again. After Jack left the village for America, he cried for and wondered about Jose.

It didn’t take long for Jack and Jose to reunite after Jack’s return. Jack always knew Jose was special to his family but in a new way now. Shelly took Jack over to Jose’s house one afternoon and she explained to him that they had been dating for about 2 years now. Jose wanted to see Jack because he loved and missed him but he also wanted to ask Jack if it would be okay for him to marry Shelly. Jack was taken by surprise but really couldn’t say no to his friend from so many years ago. His only reservation was this was defenitely going to keep Shelly here forever.

After talking to Shelly and Jose, Jack gave them the family blessing and they all started talking about good times from so many years ago. Jack wanted to know about everything that had happened since they last saw each other. Jose was nervous at first but as soon as he started talking, everything came out. He told Jack and Shelly about how after they left the leaders of the tribe who had taken their parents came back to search for them. They knew there were children to be found but could not find them.

Jose explained to them how the tribe leaders searched every home there and when they could not find the children they were looking for, they ravaged the village, especially the school. Miguel and Mary’s place was the hardest hit and that’s why they moved into Jack and Shelly’s old house. The tribe knew Miguel and Mary had hidden them and  had sent them to Amercia with family.

Then Jose started to cry. Jack and Shelly were confused and asked Jose if he was okay. Jose tried to talk but couldn’t. He was silent. Jack feared Jose had seen something or knew something about their parents. Jack continued to try to talk to Jose but he couldn’t talk. Or wouldn’t talk in Jack’s mind. Please he would beg. But it just wasn’t changing anything.

As Jack and Shelly left Jose’s house, Jack was even more confused than before. Why did he just go silent? Was there something he knew or was he just so shaken up from talking about the past? Jack just didn’t know what to think of his soon to be brother in law but one thing was certain in his mind. He was going to find out very soon.

Jack got back to the house and found Miguel on the front porch listening to music. Miguel tried to act as if he were sleeping but Jack just wanted to talk with him. He explained what had happened at Jose’s and wondered if Miguel knew anything.

After spending over a week here, Jack finally started to feel comfortable enough to search on his own and he told Miguel he would be gone for the next few days searching for the truth. Miguel tried to stop Jack but knew he was too much like his dad and there was no stopping him once his mind was set. “Please take every precaution you can Jack,” Miguel said. “I just want you to be safe. You and Shelly are all Mary and I have.”

With those words, Jack went into the house, went to his room and started packing for the search that would begin in the morning. Jack didn’t know if he would find the truth or more dead ends. But one thing was certain, he had 20 days left until he was to return to Kansas City. He was going to search for the truth but he had also made up his mind he wasn’t missing that flight.

Hope was really beginning to flourish in Jack’s life and he had 20 days to find what he had lost 20 years ago. He was back home and ready to find it. Finding family, friends and time lost was one thing. Finding the truth was another. Jack had no time to waste. The jungle awaited him and welcomed him after 2o years. But the question still remained. What would he find?

To be continued…..

November 10, 2008

Stand Up or Shut Up, Revisited

Filed under: Normal — Dennis Amason @ 10:41 pm
Tags: , , , ,

Well, thanks for the responses to the last posting, Stand Up or Shut Up. I did however have one question that seemed to come up and I promised someone I would answer it for them. That’s what I said I would do, so here it goes.

The question was; if you stand up for what you believe and you are told to shut up, then what do you do?

Let me start off by saying this actually crossed my mind and I wanted to include it in the previous posting but I wanted to make sure there were others this has happened to. I do find that no matter what you believe you will always have some that just blow you off for whatever reason. However, you MUST stand your ground. If there’s one thing I have learned over time is that people may not like it when you stand your ground but they will respect you for it, even if you don’t immediately know it.

Herein lies the problem. What if the people who are telling you to sit down and shut up are people who either don’t respect you or don’t really understand your position? For whatever reason they are always correct or they just feel as if you are overstepping boundaries or trying to make them look bad. This creates a whole new group of problems but you have to be ready for opposition. If you firmly believe you are correct, back it up with facts. If you have the facts and they still tell you to sit down and shut up, then please don’t get discouraged and walk away. Find someone to talk to this about and begin getting counsel from those you trust. Maybe it’s you who is actually wrong or maybe you are going about it in the wrong way. Whatever you do though, don’t ever jeopardize your faith or values. This will lead to people seeing you as a flappable person and it will be hard to ever gain the respect of those around you.

Another point is that your opinion can always be questioned. Remember that opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one and at times, they really stink. You have to allow yourself to be questioned on your opinions. There are times people question you only to find out more about you, the situation or to see if they can help. This also allows us to gain understanding and it also allows us to grow. Please don’t misconstrue your opinions for standing up for a known fact. And please don’t let anyone try to convince you of something that is against your values.

I know this is probably more than this question needed but I wanted to play a little CYA (cover your assets) with this one. Just know that when you stand up for your beliefs, there are people watching and admiring you. Even when you don’t see it or hear it, know the support is there. People can’t help but notice when the words that come out of our mouths match the way we live. Hang in there and continue standing tall and strong for your beliefs. But please do remember that if you won’t take the action, then don’t bring it up. That way nobody can tell you to shut up.

Love you all!!

November 8, 2008

Stand Up or Shut Up

Filed under: Normal — Dennis Amason @ 8:00 pm
Tags: , , , ,
So as most of you know, I’m a news and talk radio junkie. Over the past 6 weeks we have heard that our country is in the worst economic times in over 100 years. You hear that people are losing their jobs and homes at a record pace and the unemployment is at levels not seen in years (14 years to be exact). The dollar is not strong and consumer confidence is low. The media and many politicians, including President George W. Bush and President Elect Barack Obama, have said this country is actually worse off now that it was during the Great Depression.

Hearing all of this just pisses me off and here’s why. My Grandparents actually lived through the Great Depression and trust me, we are nowhere close to being where they were. My Granddad Rivers told me 4 days before he died as we went through some World War II stuff that he hoped and prayed that our country didn’t get into a war or go through tough economic times because we didn’t have the leadership to lead us or the desire to work through it. He also let me know we were the softest Americans in our country’s history.

When he told me this, my ears really perked up becasuse I was afraid he was right. At that time, we were not in the Iraq war and the economy was booming. He told me not enough Americans knew the value of work, love, giving or honesty. He lived in a time when people not only talked about change but they actually stood up to change things. And they also used to stand up for their beliefs and shared them with people.

This brings me to today. I can clearly see what Granddad Rivers was talking about. We do have the ability to change things. The American people are still the hardest working and brightest people in the world. The problem we have in America today is that we have all of these ideas and changes we believe need to be made but it seems people don’t want to stand up for their beliefs and actually make their ideas come to life. We talk about change as a slogan instead of a something to do. We throw it around and really can’t say what change we want, we just want change.

I for one, am guilty of this. I have become the “typical” American here in the 21st century and I know all of my grandparents would be disappointed. I have sat around and griped but done nothing. I sit and talk with friends and family about my ideas but don’t bother to call my congressman or senator about it. I see things at church I don’t agree with and until very recently, sat back and did nothing. I believe things at work should change but don’t feel I should say anything. This has happened to all of us and America has lost it’s mystic and respect the Greatest Generation and others fought for becasue of this.

My granddad told me we would fold up and just take it. He did not feel there was any way good people would stand up for their beliefs and we would coutinue taking our country and freedom for granted. We have become a very spoiled and soft country. We are the richest people in the world financially but have become the poorest people in standing up for what we believe in. We can’t take the bloodshed of war that is sometimes necessary. We can’t take it when the economy goes down and feel sorry for ourselves when we have to go and flip burgers or clean a toliet to pay the bills. We really have no idea what it means to do without. When times get tough would rather moan and groan than do something about it.

We have to remember that living in this country is a blessing and we have to respect those who have fought to keep it a blessing and free. Voting is not a right but a responsibility and so is knowing about every candidate, not just the one the media is in love with. We have to love our children and grandchildren enough to leave them the country our grandparents left us. They left us a tough, prosperous nation. They left us values and ideas and showed us it’s okay to stand up for what we believe.

Here’s what I ask. If you want things to actually change, will you as an American stand up for your beliefs? Will you raise your children as you were raised or will you do it like a book says to do it? Will you get back to the basic principles set forth throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testament, or just use the “feel good” Jesus churches want us to know? Will you and your family sit down at the dinner table and talk through the problems and triumphs of the day? Will you let your faith be passed to your kids or will you be the last generation in your family for the Kingdom?

We can all be part of the solution or part of the problem. It’s your choice. You can either stand up or shut up. Your country, family and God needs you to stand up no matter your beliefs. If you can’t stand up, then do us all a favor and shut up.

Love you all!!

Blog at WordPress.com.