Could be retired .....

Most are saying "Huh?" and some know what I mean.  23 years ago today I was on my way to San Antonio Texas, Lackland Air Force Base, 3703 BMTS, Flight 439, Dorm B3. 

I know my memory is a bit off as I've aged :)  Its a day most Veterans never forget if you did not stay 20 years and retire.  A day you really do not care to get up and go to the job you are in now, knowing you could be drawing a retirement check.  A day you are reminded that you may have made a mistake in not staying 20 and retiring.

Mostly I try to reflect on the good times of the 6 years 7 months and 14 days I spent on active duty.  I remember getting up early in the morning to drive to the MEP Station to begin my journey, my dad letting me drive his car since he knew I'd be marching everywhere for at least 6 weeks, my brother and brother in law along for the ride, and my dad giving those famous words of advice I'd heard many times before "keep your nose clean"

I remember flying through Atlanta, meeting a British guy who wanted to buy a group of fine young men going off to serve their country a drink after we'd been warned many times not to.  Arriving in the middle of the night and playing a game with our bags called "pick'em up, put'em down"  I packed a very lite duffle bag so it was not hard for me, but those who packed a suitcase.....

Maybe I'll share more about the journey over the next few days, check back.

Asylum

I went to lunch today with my brother, his wife, my sister and nephew.  As I drove across town to meet them many things went through my mind, mostly thoughts of how our country seems to fall a bit deeper into despair every day and think nothing of it.  We seem to live in a society that celebrates sin, and  the government and our tax dollars finance the outcome.  

As I ate lunch, the song "Runaway Train" came on the Muzak, as I listened to the words my heart broke.  (click the link and watch the youtube video)   As I did a bit of reasearch on the song I found it was done by "Soul Asylum" and as is my nature I looked up asylum and found it means a place of refuge or shelter   and thought there are many  hurting souls in need of asylum.  If you watch the video the first thing you read is that there are over one million youth lost on the streets of  America, this was in 1992.

Some lines from the song that hit me and give something  to think about.....

Call you up in the middle of the night

Like a firefly without any light

You were there like a blowtorch burning

I was a key that could use a little turning

Can you help me remember how to smile

Make it all seem somehow worthwhile

Bought a ticket for a runaway train

Like a madman laughin' at the rain

Little out of touch,  little insane

Just easier than dealing with the pain

There are a lot of hurting people out there, sometimes I'm one of them, sometimes you are to, we are all souls seeking asylum, that place of refuge and shelter where we can feel safe, loved and just plain feel like someone actually cares. I'm off to that place of asylum -  its not church,  the local bar, or hospital.  Gonna go play some music and hang out with Jesus, He'll deal with the pain for me.

 

XVI

If you have not figured out XVI is the roman numeral  sixteen.  Sixteen is a significant number in most of our lives, one important time is our sixteenth birthday when we get our drivers license. For some like me we turn sixteen have got everything together to head on down and get that temporary drivers permit only to find out our vision is nopt as good as expected.  It means this milestone we've dreamed of is put on hold.  

It does not seem to be the rule anymore but it used to be many looked forward to turning 16 so we could date, and find that first job.  

!6 years ago today I began my job at Whirlpool, like anything it has its good and bad days but considering the economy I count it a blessing.As i began typing something else came to mind.  Tuesday is my 48th birthday and that means I've spent one third of my life building dryers.  Now don't think I'm ate up but when I started Whirlpool had roughly 56% of the dryer market, and since buying Maytag a few years ago we have even more.  So if you dry you clothes at home chances are I helped build your dryer.  This brings one more thought to mind, its 10 PM, and I get up at 5:15.  I'm off to bed, have a good Monday.

Another Saturday night.....

As always life is interesting, after working most of the day getting ready for Palm Sunday services at church tomorrow I decided to make a run to the city mostly just to be driving somewhere.  Actually I probably spent equal amounts of time working and sleeping but you do what you got to.

Saturday nights are good because there are so many oldies shows to pick from and if you follow me down the road you can tell when there is some good music on, the music is as loud as it will go, my head is bopping while I play my air drums and sing along.

I discovered another interesting thing a couple weeks ago, talk radio, specifically Savage Nation, the man Michael Savage is definitly a conservative talk show host and is not afraid to tell what he  thinks.  I'm off for now, Be Blessed.