I finally got the chance

I have a Master's degree plus a few classes, but when I was an undergrad, I very nearly dropped out of college. I wasn't terribly happy and I wanted to be in familiar surroundings. Add to that a snafu with my dorm room assignment and I was close to walking. During this whole dorm room situation, there came a time when I was moved out of my room and didn't have anywhere new to go. I was sitting in the lobby of the dorm, almost in tears and about to get in my 1966 Chevy van and drive off into the sunset, when a gentleman came over and asked who I was and what was going on. I told him the situation – minus my mental state – and he said he'd check on it. He bought me a 7-up and went off to find out what was going on. He came back a few minutes later and told me that I was not settled into a specific room yet, but I was going to be in that dorm in some room and soon. About an hour later, I was moved into the room I lived in for the next year. That guy kept me in school that day and put me on the path I am still walking today.

A few weeks later, I found out that he was a vice-president of the university, or something like that. I would see him around campus now and then, but I didn't think too much of it. After I had left Flagstaff, I started to wish that I could let him know what his small act of kindness had meant in my life. When I came back, I was never around him and didn't see him, although I knew he was still in town because I saw him on TV every now and then.

I wanted to tell him that I was a successful teacher and very happy in my life and with my college experience. I wanted to tell him that he had helped me be a better person, and all it cost him was 50¢ and a few minutes of time. I wanted to tell him that, at least for me, he had made a difference.

Last night I ran into him at the mall and I did.

Thanks for reading. I'll do better next time.

Christmas Music

I love Christmas music.  Chances are, I have more Christmas CD's than you have CD's.  I have a number of CD's I consider "my favorite" depending on the day.  (Right now I really like Straight No Chaser – that YouTube a cappella group – and Venice's Christmas CD.)

My favorite Christmas song varies a bit too, but only if you add in new songs.  My favorite traditional carol is "O Holy Night."  It's funny.  With all the versions of that song that I have on CD or MP3 or whatever, my favorite is probably the worst version.  And no one else has ever heard it.  Every year about this time, I stroll out onto my porch, driveway, deck, or any other outdoor location and I whistle the song.  I try to do it while it's snowing.  It seems to add something to the rendition.  The first time I remember doing it I was in elementary school in the early '80's.  Maybe it reminds me of a more peaceful, innocent time.  Anyway, it's my own goofy tradition and it isn't going away.  And, no, you can't hear it.  It's really terrible.

Anyway, thanks for reading.  I'll do better next time.

Time to do this right

Hello to the none of you who will read this right away. (Baby steps...) I've spouted off on Facebook and other places, but this seems to be the correct place to pop off. I'll be back periodically. I can't stay shut up for long.

I will probably write about church and politics and music and baseball. And other sports. And family. My sister is really good at this, but I'm a rookie. There. I said it. My little sister is better at something than me. Also, she's better at having kids. She leads 4-2 in the late innings.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I'll do better next time.