Over the course of the last 5-6 years, we have brought a person into our family who has enriched our lives, become a close friend, almost an older son if you will. So much that Louise refers to him as our older son. While that is another blog, the uniqueness of the situation lends itself for me to talk about another person who has been and continues to be someone of great importance in my life.
If you have followed any of my blogs across this year, you will often hear me talk about Ortonville. It’s hard for me not to think of Ortonville as my hometown for many reasons. During those years of my first teaching job, I really grew up there, found a real family, and really the foundation for whom I have become was set there. I was brought into this terrific family that through the years has blessed my life so richly. It’s hard to imagine even being around let alone a husband, dad, teacher, or a coach without that influence. Among those lifelong influences comes from my friend Bob.
You need to know a few things about Bob-you will never find a man with a kinder heart. You will never find a man with bigger shoulders. You will never find a man who truly believes in the goodness of people. While I would like to think I can do that, I hide in the shadow of this man. Some of life’s greatest lessons I have learned from this man- as well as how to make Taco Salad the right way!
I was excited to get my first job teaching. I had no clue that a small town would be so small (even after growing up in one). Floundering a little to find a place, I immersed myself in everything. I coached jr. high wrestling- can you say sit out? I directed the plays, advised the newspaper and the junior class, challenged the social studies teacher who ran the AV room, and did just about anything I could to get noticed. One Sunday afternoon, I drove up to the football field which I quickly learned was the center of town on Friday nights to engage in some flag football. While not being a jock (the wrestling thing was to impress this overbearing and often inappropriate coach teacher), I figure it would be a good mixer. Some of the other new teachers were going and so I did as well. Instantly, Bob had organized the game, had me on his side, didn’t’ matter that I was the chubby one, and brought me into the Sunday flag football group as though I had been there years.
It was just the start. Over the years I was in Ortonville, Bob not only befriended me but allowed me to be a part of him and his family’s lives. I have to share what a giant of a man this guy is (for sure in my eyes ). Life was often troublesome for me for lots of reasons. Bob saw a way to make them even keel. He found a way to make large things appear insignificant. He never had a moment when he wasn’t afraid to show me how to be supportive to kids, people, and community. I can pinpoint moments that 25 years are as vivid today and as important to me as they were back then, perhaps even more important with time, age, and history.
Here are few across the short time of living in Ortonville are moments that I not only cherish but have built into my character:
Getting the chance to play Flag football and later Broomball. You have no idea of the confidence builder those were, Bob. It showed me that moving out of my comfort zone on some things was good for the character, soul, and body. I am still figuring out golf.
Walks along the lake road that were supposed to be good for us physically were also good for us spiritually. It’s where I knew it was ok to be a Christian Man.
When Ben died and Chuck and I got lost in the cities, you were there to comfort us in spite of just losing your son. I learned that hearts break for lots of reason and people that care about you can heal them.
I remember playing racquetball with you and being beaten. I was so upset with myself and cursed and was a poor sport. I learned to be a good sport that night. You were upset by the behavior, never once telling me so just by how your reactions went from excited to feeling overwhelmed by the bad behaviors.
Cheering kids to success even those that are not yours is important. You were there to support speech and plays, things I’m not sure you knew much about in the beginning, but took an interest cause they were mine. I remember making the cancer patients look ill with your expertise while directing The Shadow Box.
The several times you took me fishing. While you were focused in on the job at hand, it was the unspoken that was louder than words. That has been a valuable lesson for me all my life. I talk if uneasy. Sometimes “no words” is more important than many.
The gift of your family, especially those three boys, taught me what a family is and how you are part of your family no matter its configuration. It was great that I could show that learning back by bringing my own family to you. In fact, the greatest tribute to you and Mary was to have you be Godparents to Zach.
As I have gotten older and have had medical issues that frighten or confuse me, you have been there to be my resource and a support if need be. I remember how frightened you were when you tipped the 3 wheeler and really hurt yourself. I remember how more frightened you were when I tipped the 3 wheeler while we delivered meds in a snowstorm.
In the few and infrequent trips I make to my “ home town” these days, I get all excited when I hit Starbuck. In my mind, I can see the house, I can see the room and the piano and the kitchen where I spent so many moments of my life, It’s where I learned the greatest cook was the Clubhouse when it really was Mary. It’s where I studied for my GRE because some how it was easier at your place. It’s where time and time again I found home.
When I was younger and living in Ortonville, there was a Kenny Rogers song from a Burt Lancaster Kirk Douglas movie called “Tough Guys” . I used to think that how cool it would be to someday think “They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To“ was about you and me, Bob. Here we are and guess what, they don’t.
Thanks for so much for what I’m sure you never knew you gave.
Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.
Over the course of the last 5-6 years, we have brought a person into our family who has enriched our lives, become a close friend, almost an older son if you will. So much that Louise refers to him as our older son. While that is another blog, the uniqueness of the situation lends itself for me to talk about another person who has been and continues to be someone of great importance in my life.
If you have followed any of my blogs across this year, you will often hear me talk about Ortonville. It’s hard for me not to think of Ortonville as my hometown for many reasons. During those years of my first teaching job, I really grew up there, found a real family, and really the foundation for whom I have become was set there. I was brought into this terrific family that through the years has blessed my life so richly. It’s hard to imagine even being around let alone a husband, dad, teacher, or a coach without that influence. Among those lifelong influences comes from my friend Bob.
You need to know a few things about Bob-you will never find a man with a kinder heart. You will never find a man with bigger shoulders. You will never find a man who truly believes in the goodness of people. While I would like to think I can do that, I hide in the shadow of this man. Some of life’s greatest lessons I have learned from this man- as well as how to make Taco Salad the right way!
I was excited to get my first job teaching. I had no clue that a small town would be so small (even after growing up in one). Floundering a little to find a place, I immersed myself in everything. I coached jr. high wrestling- can you say sit out? I directed the plays, advised the newspaper and the junior class, challenged the social studies teacher who ran the AV room, and did just about anything I could to get noticed. One Sunday afternoon, I drove up to the football field which I quickly learned was the center of town on Friday nights to engage in some flag football. While not being a jock (the wrestling thing was to impress this overbearing and often inappropriate coach teacher), I figure it would be a good mixer. Some of the other new teachers were going and so I did as well. Instantly, Bob had organized the game, had me on his side, didn’t’ matter that I was the chubby one, and brought me into the Sunday flag football group as though I had been there years.
It was just the start. Over the years I was in Ortonville, Bob not only befriended me but allowed me to be a part of him and his family’s lives. I have to share what a giant of a man this guy is (for sure in my eyes ). Life was often troublesome for me for lots of reasons. Bob saw a way to make them even keel. He found a way to make large things appear insignificant. He never had a moment when he wasn’t afraid to show me how to be supportive to kids, people, and community. I can pinpoint moments that 25 years are as vivid today and as important to me as they were back then, perhaps even more important with time, age, and history.
Here are few across the short time of living in Ortonville are moments that I not only cherish but have built into my character:
Getting the chance to play Flag football and later Broomball. You have no idea of the confidence builder those were, Bob. It showed me that moving out of my comfort zone on some things was good for the character, soul, and body. I am still figuring out golf.
Walks along the lake road that were supposed to be good for us physically were also good for us spiritually. It’s where I knew it was ok to be a Christian Man.
When Ben died and Chuck and I got lost in the cities, you were there to comfort us in spite of just losing your son. I learned that hearts break for lots of reason and people that care about you can heal them.
I remember playing racquetball with you and being beaten. I was so upset with myself and cursed and was a poor sport. I learned to be a good sport that night. You were upset by the behavior, never once telling me so just by how your reactions went from excited to feeling overwhelmed by the bad behaviors.
Cheering kids to success even those that are not yours is important. You were there to support speech and plays, things I’m not sure you knew much about in the beginning, but took an interest cause they were mine. I remember making the cancer patients look ill with your expertise while directing The Shadow Box.
The several times you took me fishing. While you were focused in on the job at hand, it was the unspoken that was louder than words. That has been a valuable lesson for me all my life. I talk if uneasy. Sometimes “no words” is more important than many.
The gift of your family, especially those three boys, taught me what a family is and how you are part of your family no matter its configuration. It was great that I could show that learning back by bringing my own family to you. In fact, the greatest tribute to you and Mary was to have you be Godparents to Zach.
As I have gotten older and have had medical issues that frighten or confuse me, you have been there to be my resource and a support if need be. I remember how frightened you were when you tipped the 3 wheeler and really hurt yourself. I remember how more frightened you were when I tipped the 3 wheeler while we delivered meds in a snowstorm.
In the few and infrequent trips I make to my “ home town” these days, I get all excited when I hit Starbuck. In my mind, I can see the house, I can see the room and the piano and the kitchen where I spent so many moments of my life, It’s where I learned the greatest cook was the Clubhouse when it really was Mary. It’s where I studied for my GRE because some how it was easier at your place. It’s where time and time again I found home.
When I was younger and living in Ortonville, there was a Kenny Rogers song from a Burt Lancaster Kirk Douglas movie called “Tough Guys” . I used to think that how cool it would be to someday think “They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To“ was about you and me, Bob. Here we are and guess what, they don’t.
Thanks for so much for what I’m sure you never knew you gave.
Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.
Here is a youtube version of that song!!
Cut and paste the following in your browser to hear the song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf61NJKQXrQ
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