Thursday, November 11, 2010

pictures on the way to FLORIDA and stuff


(above is the hospital our Son was born in on Keesler AFB, Miss at Biloxi.)
(tonight's pictures have nothing to do with the entry!!! but mostly our trip down here)



Why do we care what someone else has done? Sometimes we covet someone’s position because we don’t not know what they actually do. Once my son told me of a guy who made $80,000 a year and does absolutely nothing. My opinion of that statement was, only if he is the bosses son, and that, not for long! It has been my experience in private enterprise you earn your way or you will find the highway.

I must explain something. I have always had a habit of trying to see the ‘other guy’s point’. There have been times when one of my sons has said, ‘you never see my side’. I had to start making an effort to be even keeled in my judgments. I have not always been so.

Biloxi brought back an incident I have never forgotten. A lesson in humility taught by a dad who was not that ‘old’ but wise beyond his years.


(Below is the skyline of Mobile looking from I-10)




There is a road between Gulfport and Biloxi called Pass Road. We lived on this road in two different trailer parks. While in the last trailer park my Dad & Mom came down to visit. Dad and I were out driving and headed home. Just passed the Veterans Hospital there was the usual truck loaded with oyster shells, an old man (probably 55-60 yrs old) shoveling shells into pot holes and holding up traffic.

“Why in the name of common sense would they use an old man to fill these holes, he is slow as Christmas!” Said I.

“You know son, it is great they can give the guy a job, isn’t it?” That was my dad. He knew we were in no particular hurry. I was just impatient, but his words stung like a shot, and I knew he was right, he always was.


(This one is the entrance of the tunnel going under Mobile Bay)



The next picture is the light at the end of the tunnel, I guess you have heard of that!)


Once he told me, “Whatever your job, don’t cry about it, just do it. If you complain no one cares. If you say it is a tough job, no one believes it, so just be glad you have a job and do it.”


(The shot here is of Beautiful Ascambia Bay just past Mobile.)



My last job in Washington DC was one of those jobs, a tough one. I did the job mostly with a coffee cup in one hand, and I was always on the move. I probably walked ten miles a day. I worked in the second largest building in DC. The Pentagon is the largest. When I was due for transfer another chief came to me and asked me to recommend him for my job. I said sure. I did and he got it.

A month or so later I was back on business and stopped by to see him. “WHY IN H-LL DIDN’T YOU TELL ME THIS WAS A BACKBREAKING JOB?”

I just smiled and said, “Would you have believed it?” He shook his head and sat back down. Mumbling, ‘all I ever saw was you walking around drinking coffee’.

Until you walk a mile in someone’s shoes you do not know. IF you go to http://honeyimhome-honey.blogspot.com/ notice the saying at the opening of Mel’s Blog.

Thanks for coming this way.

Nite shipslog



PS:

He who hesitates is probably right.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is tonight that I would like to call you a "teacher" and thank you.

Leaving for a couple of days, please have you all a safe road ahead and a peaceful Friday as well.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I do feel like I walked 10 miles today. Airports and big hotels provide for a lot of good exercise. Hopefully I'll get to soak in that hot tub tonight and ease the pain of my aching knees. I am in Florida ahead of you but will only be here til Sunday. Helping my DDIL celebrate her 40th.
Have a safe trip!

Paula said...

Some good advice spoken here.

betty said...

your dad gave you great advice!! I liked that about not complaining about your job but being glad you had one!

Happy Veteran's Day, Jack! (okay technically it is past Veternan's Day where you are, but not here on the Pacific coast). Thanks for your service for our country (and that you Sherry for your service too)

betty