Buckrub
08-05-2015, 09:32 AM
I don't have permission, but I have to share this. This is from another site.........the one that hates NTB, by the way!!! :) :) :)
This one touched me. It's real, it's from a guy just up the road from me..........and it makes me just wonder if I'm doing anywhere near (I'm not) my part.....
anyway, here you go:
Looking beyond our blinders
Guys, had to share this. Sometimes we are all guilty to judge too quickly in our daily lives:
Over the last several years in my travels across this section of the state, I have often noticed a old gentleman walking the roads, sometimes miles from his parked car picking up cans. His skin was weathered badly but always looked well kept in what he could afford. Many times I often wondered his story. Was it one of hard times, lost family or just a lazy bum who was looking for a handout. I think we all know those thoughts we have when we see this across the country.
Well, today in 95 degree weather I saw him again. He was about a qtr. Mile from where he parked picking up those lost cans no one wanted. My heart told me to stop and visit for a min and unlike my normal actions my truck pulled over. I could see he was tired and hot and maybe in his late 60’s but there was something I saw quickly in his eyes and voice that gave me a easy feeling. I introduced myself and began a casual conversation of the heat and tough working conditions and he just smiled and stated he had been in a lot worst; Very soft spoken and smiling from ear to ear. I told him I had a large stack of bagged up cans I had been saving for about 2 years and never could find the time to haul them off and offered those to him. Gave him a short ride to his car and he followed me to my drive about a half mile away. This is when it became interesting.
As he loaded his car to the brim he kept stating how much this would help him and I ask where he came from. Oh about 12 miles back towards town he said. Said I spent 23 years in the Navy and did two tours of Vietnam. Was a gun boat pilot for years, served on a destroyer as well as a Aircraft Carrier part of that time. “Not too bad for a boy from Marvel with a 3ed grade education straight off the farm” he said with a smile. Single and alone he said he went to work in Little Rock for about 3 years and had two next door neighbors who he never met. “Just not my kind of folks I guess, had to get back to the Country”. Stated his health was bad and walking was good for him. Felt he was doing the county a service while helping himself pay a few bills. He left with the car full and said I’ll be right back to get those others. Came back in about 30 min and I ask if he had room now, he said he had went down the road under a shade tree and crushed a few sacks where he could get the rest, didn’t want to bother me doing it here and me have to listen to the racket…….boys that touched me somewhere deep.
Respect of Age, service to his country and respect for those who did, are the key things we have failed to teach to most in the last several generations. We are reaping what we failed so badly in doing in today’s society. In a different situation this man could have been someone’s grandfather who they would have deeply respected and honored but he is still giving to this country for his service from years past while in the prime of his life and his dedication to the well being of us all.
I ask that we all realize the blessings we each have today and pray for those Vets who because of their giving may be still paying a price we think is no longer there. Many are dying daily from poor health care and a large number taking their own lives across this nation daily as well. Take the time to find those and say thank you and give a helping hand when you see the need. It will change your lives and both will be truly blessed when you do.
This one touched me. It's real, it's from a guy just up the road from me..........and it makes me just wonder if I'm doing anywhere near (I'm not) my part.....
anyway, here you go:
Looking beyond our blinders
Guys, had to share this. Sometimes we are all guilty to judge too quickly in our daily lives:
Over the last several years in my travels across this section of the state, I have often noticed a old gentleman walking the roads, sometimes miles from his parked car picking up cans. His skin was weathered badly but always looked well kept in what he could afford. Many times I often wondered his story. Was it one of hard times, lost family or just a lazy bum who was looking for a handout. I think we all know those thoughts we have when we see this across the country.
Well, today in 95 degree weather I saw him again. He was about a qtr. Mile from where he parked picking up those lost cans no one wanted. My heart told me to stop and visit for a min and unlike my normal actions my truck pulled over. I could see he was tired and hot and maybe in his late 60’s but there was something I saw quickly in his eyes and voice that gave me a easy feeling. I introduced myself and began a casual conversation of the heat and tough working conditions and he just smiled and stated he had been in a lot worst; Very soft spoken and smiling from ear to ear. I told him I had a large stack of bagged up cans I had been saving for about 2 years and never could find the time to haul them off and offered those to him. Gave him a short ride to his car and he followed me to my drive about a half mile away. This is when it became interesting.
As he loaded his car to the brim he kept stating how much this would help him and I ask where he came from. Oh about 12 miles back towards town he said. Said I spent 23 years in the Navy and did two tours of Vietnam. Was a gun boat pilot for years, served on a destroyer as well as a Aircraft Carrier part of that time. “Not too bad for a boy from Marvel with a 3ed grade education straight off the farm” he said with a smile. Single and alone he said he went to work in Little Rock for about 3 years and had two next door neighbors who he never met. “Just not my kind of folks I guess, had to get back to the Country”. Stated his health was bad and walking was good for him. Felt he was doing the county a service while helping himself pay a few bills. He left with the car full and said I’ll be right back to get those others. Came back in about 30 min and I ask if he had room now, he said he had went down the road under a shade tree and crushed a few sacks where he could get the rest, didn’t want to bother me doing it here and me have to listen to the racket…….boys that touched me somewhere deep.
Respect of Age, service to his country and respect for those who did, are the key things we have failed to teach to most in the last several generations. We are reaping what we failed so badly in doing in today’s society. In a different situation this man could have been someone’s grandfather who they would have deeply respected and honored but he is still giving to this country for his service from years past while in the prime of his life and his dedication to the well being of us all.
I ask that we all realize the blessings we each have today and pray for those Vets who because of their giving may be still paying a price we think is no longer there. Many are dying daily from poor health care and a large number taking their own lives across this nation daily as well. Take the time to find those and say thank you and give a helping hand when you see the need. It will change your lives and both will be truly blessed when you do.