A Firefighters Bond ... And More Than

 His began in 65' ~ For me, 77' ~ And though we never crossed the same fire-ground ~ The enjoyed conversations, spoke of similar smoke eating, fire breathing experiences. Often in midst of darkness ... on rainy days and in the frigid cold ... of zero dark thirty hours. Fear would be overcome by the pure joy of service. Into the commercial building ... the overturned vehicle ... your private residence ... perhaps Starbucks, Safeway or Home Depot ... 

Often responding just after taking the first bite of that juicy mushroom burger... or that specialty dish prepared by a fellow comrade. The tones command our immediate attention ~~ to join you ... the public ... at your worst possible moment! A family involved in a serious MVA at the corner of 13th and State ... A Co-worker with an anaphylactic response to unexpected nuts ... CPR required on her 55 year old husband ... or perhaps the frequent diabetic or seizure patient. Other times, we were attempting to save your valuables from the early morning fire. Or even freeing little Timmy's Fido, who somehow trapped himself in one of the most unique predicaments. We never knew what to expect. Part of the joy of being a firefighter. Every call, every tap-out ... it was like ... A new job ... each and every response. 

Circa 1970's Salem Fire House

And then, a return to the House. To the soggy burger, or that once in a lifetime specialty dish ~ Sure must have been wonderful... an hour ago. A game of Texas Holdem ... Cribbage, Ping Pong ... Until the tones once again set us in motion. And they call this a job. Dude!!!

Off duty ... building cabinets, joining our children ... later, our grandchildren in their schools, at their games. Twenty-four ... or, Forty-eight hours off ... then Twenty-four ... Forty-eight hours on. Thirty years of life given to service. To a brotherhood that few experience ... few can imagine. 

Duane ~ in his Cabinet Shop

But in this brotherhood ... this Bond is enhanced ... For a day is coming when once again we will reminisce ... not solely about the fireground. Duane, we will complete our conversations of our Savior's faithfulness. Shift after shift, by His Grace, we were returned to the safety of our families. You have now been transported to the Father's arms. We miss you! But hold a place at the table ... we'll join you soon!

Your brother fire fighter & brother in Christ, 

Rick Williams 

Ps ... I can't wait to see the cabinets that the Father had you build for some of those Mansions which He has prepared.  And inlaying them in gold, I can see you grinning ear to ear ...

 

Might each of us enjoy our twilight years as Duane was able. That is in the manner in which his grandchildren displayed Ephesians 6 honor. "Honor your mother, father (and grandparents), which is the first commandment with a promise".
 

Leaving an 'Indelible Mark' ...

“Nearly every day of her life ... she would go for a walk either in the canyon on their  ranch, or at Silver Falls, keeping her very healthy in body and spirit. On her 80th birthday she accomplished her goal of hiking the entire five-mile trail around Silver Falls. She was so healthy and strong in fact, that she traveled to Mexico on a church mission trip building houses while in her 80s.”

The above is from the obituary of my dear friend, Jennie Hickman. Last year I added the following to a website dedicated to her memory. It is in regards to that infamous 'Mexico' mission trip.

“On our return from Mexico and our March mission trip, we stopped for the day at Paramount's 'Great Adventure'. Eric and I had said that we would be Jennie's chaperon's for this day.

Even before entering the park ~~ this young eighty something grandma, with grin ear to ear, looks up and points high and to our left, exclaiming, "That's the first ride". Oh my, she was pointing at 'Batman the Ride'. Before stepping onto the ride, in which your legs dangle down, I set the hat that I just purchased in Mexico off to the side. The three of us are now on the ride with Jennie in the seat between us. Fast and twirls and grins were had by all three of us. As the ride comes to a stop, and without thinking, I walked over to pick up my hat. While bending doing down, and about to pick it up, I hear from behind me, "Rick"! As Jennie stepped off the ride, she swerved a bit, being a tad dizzy, thinking she might fall. Though at the same time with that ear to ear grin.

Nearly as fun as the ride itself were the accolades she received throughout the remainder of the day from several who had been witness to this amazing feat from little old lady Jennie.

Though a memory from more than twenty years, it is as clear as the day itself. Thank you Jennie ~~ your youthfulness in your twilight years remains an inspiration.”

Her obituary continues, "Jennie has left an indelible mark on the lives of all her family and friends, and all who have known her are richer for her influence."

Now, eleven years from her death, the memory of our friendship and that “indelible mark” continues to bring appreciation and a smile.

 

I'll let you see if you could stomach this ride.

 Today at nearly 64 ~~ I'd still ride. But at 80 ~ baby, I'm not sure. Ha!

 

 

A Paradox … or, A Pair of Cows?

 “We learn from history, that we don’t learn from history”. Georg Hegel ~ I am going to think positive, but I know it won’t work ~ “To early seen unknown, and known to late!” William Shakespeare ~ “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future” Niels Bohr ~ “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything” Dwight D Eisenhower ~ “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young”.

George Bernard Shaw ~ “Cowards die many times before their deaths” William Shakespeare ~ “I can resist anything, except temptation” Oscar Wilde ~ Or, how about this one from our modern technology … ‘No keyboard detected, Press F1’ ~ Or … some of mine are: In regards to value, the surgeon is a pauper, when compared to a professional basketball player. Perhaps we need to start calling our surgeons ‘professionals’. Yeah, that’ll make the difference. And last, I almost always, never drive this way … or, That’s awful good! …

So Rick, some good paradox sayings, but what the heck is the ‘Pair of Cows’ all about? This past week I was riding my motorcycle to visit a friend who has been quiet ill. On the way I passed through our tiny town of Lyons, Oregon. A few things that always stand out to me about Lyons. One, the amazing Santiam River flows through it. I have yet to drive over the bridge without enjoying her beauty. Two, the awesome new metal sign that welcomes the visitor to their town. And three, it is a hub of motorcycle joy in three directions.

As I rode through this past week, something new stood out. I glanced momentarily to my left to capture a very unique site. To such, that I was impelled to turn around and truly capture this moment. I had seen the metal ‘Longhorn’ sculpture before, but never with its doppelganger standing only few feet away. It was this picture that got me thinking of the past week’s events.

Two weddings … both ended with “I do”! Both, assembled family and friends. Both, included food, music and dancing. Both couples are brothers and sisters in Christ. Both provided as a symbol of their love, rings … a distinction, a bond, an eternal love.

But then I thought of a ‘Paradox’ or, ‘The Pair of Cows’, as it would be. They’re both ‘Longhorns’. But they’re not! The weddings, though so many similarities, had many different distinctions. The one, high octane, with much more energy. The other, a calm, a quietness. The one, a focus more toward one person. The other, very much included both. The one, a mixture of Christ … and the world. The other, a legacy of generations living in the grace and fullness of God our Savior.

As these two couples begin their journey’s here in the year 2022, we can not begin to imagine where their marriage will take them twenty or forty years from now. Struggles will be inevitable. But I hope, I do pray that communication, and that grace … will carry them, and their children through the difficulties which they will face. That their ultimate reliance will not be upon themselves, as individuals or as couples. Rather, might their reliance be upon the Creator of the universe. The one who, as John 3:16 says, “Gave His only son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life.”

‘The Pair of Cows’ … One, solely for looks. The other, is a wondrous created miracle. Might these marriages not be one of looks, rather another wondrous created miracle, an example of the love that our Father has so bestowed upon us. 

 

 

 

So hold onto Jesus wherever you are ...

 

Time To Let Go

~ Ella, First Citizen ~

 

  She could never remember, was it a ‘Model-T’, maybe a 1915 Dodge Model 30, surely not the more elite Benz or Pierce-Arrow. What she knew was that for her graduation present in 1922, she got to drive a car owned by her best friends family. And though it was her very first, and most memorable time to drive, it would be far from her last. No, that day would come nearly 70 years later, the day she sold her Nissan Stanza. It had been a couple years in the making. Request and hints from both family and friends finally convinced her that the time had come, the ‘time to let go’. But “Letting Go”, meant letting go of a freedom that is … that was so treasured.

Chelsea was sixteen, for most her age, life was full of expectation, of hope. Returning from Paris, where she and her mother spent a glorious week of sites and taste, she needed a nights rest in Portland before completing her journey home, only two hours south. We had the privilege to offer her an oxygen tank for the night. A service that was customary for our Fire Department.

For Chelsea she had come to accept that it was ‘time to let go’. And though mom had made the same decision, understandably she was not ready, nor willing to release her only daughter. That said, this trip, these memories, they will forever bring the same smile on her face, that was hers while she told of her story.

Far from ever being one of ‘the’ fastest, still his times were decent. That sub six minute mile over two miles, the 53 second 400, and the 16:45 climbing 85 stories of the Empire State building were some of his most treasured events. And even at the age of forty-two, he was able to garner one more sub minute in the 400. Yet he knew that chasing to better these, well it was ‘time to let go’.

Life is full of growth, full of higher expectations, and the opportunity to become the best at what we do, or what we’re capable to do. Yet a day will come, a moment to accept, that it is ‘Time To Let Go’. For some, they seem unwilling to bear the inescapable.

Perhaps there are no differences between the three above ~ each a follower of Christ, and those who do not. What I know … is the hope that all three had. In First Corinthians Paul says, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead shall be raised and we shall put on the imperishable”. Or in Philippians 1:21 Paul, while in prison, makes this very profound statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”.

My daily hope is live my best for His kingdom until the day I can no longer. But I know, I accept that “My best” will change with each passing year, sometimes each passing day. There will even come a day when it will be ‘time to let go’ of my motorcycle riding days. Yeah, I may be fighting that one. Just saying :)

 

                The song I've selected, 'Say I Won't' by Mercy Me sings of the paradox to 'Time To Let Go'                                                                          Only with wisdom (and sometimes incredible determination) do we know the difference.

The stories above are mostly true. Ella, (or Grandma Ella), was the first story, born in 1906. I remember the many conversations that we enjoyed over our years of friendship. Living till the age of ninety-seven, the telling of some of her ‘first’ were always quite fun. Chelsea (unknown actual name) was a patient that we once provided an oxygen tank during a necessary nights layover in a hotel near PDX. Dying of cancer, she and her mother had just returned from an amazing adventure to Paris. And the last story … well, that is ‘moi’ of course. Age brings stages, events, aspects of life which conclude as ‘times to let go’. ‘Being ready’ for these moments is likely an impossibility. Yet, I hope for grace, perhaps His grace to be able to transition when such a time arrives. 

                                ~ Written in honor of CB Menveg, aka Nana, who would have been ninety-seven today ~ 

 

'Beauty Unexposed'

My 'Rachel Delevoryas' was Charlene. Though I never joined with the chorus of pain that so many brought her way, one day my omission in fact added immensely. As with Randy's song, this too was the 5th or 6th grade.

I had inadvertently stepped onto some dog crap only minutes prior to arriving at school one day. Quickly I attempted to rid my shoe of any evidence. Thinking I had done such, I walked into class. Sitting in my chair, next to Charlene, I immediately realized that I was mistaken.

Slowly our classmates began to sniff and say, "What is that smell"? Looking toward Charlene, each began to point, snicker and comment ~ "You stink"! Charlene, bigger than any of us boys, perhaps twice her average weight, with a large head and hair similar to Rachel's, sunk her head shamefully down. And I ~~ I said nothing......

~ I hope that this is what Charlene became ~

Deep emotion of regret swell up now & EVERY time I think of that moment. Charlene, I'm sooooo VERY sorry! Father, thank You that I've long since learned the value of speaking up for the vulnerable. Might we all have ~ might we all teach our children, our grandchildren, to be bold. To be the voice for the {Rachel's} ~~ for the {Charlene's} in our world. Might God's grace, which He so lavishly poured into our lives ~ be poured through our lives into our world.... 

                                             

A quote from Randy Stonehill: "This is a true story from my childhood. The first time I sang the song Rachel Delevoryas in public I was completely unaware that Rachel's sister was in the audience. Later that year Rachel surprised me by coming back stage after one of my concerts."
 

Unintended Ministry

 Standing in the mini grocery store, owned by my ‘Tocayo’ (namesake), here in Puerto Vallarta, she was purchasing some simple items ~~ diapers and tortillas. She was ‘perhaps’ a twenty year old, together with her three year old and six month baby girl. There was no, “Oh, I feel sorry for you”. Rather, I asked, “Me puedo comprar estos, un regalo?”. That is, “Can I buy these ... as a gift?”. She graciously received this gift as it was intended.

Those who know me, know that this is said by no means to lift myself up. Rather, it is the heart … the ‘Jar – of - Clay’, which our Father, our Creator, continues to shape within this life. A ‘heart’ which hopefully resembles that of our Savior. A heart always being aware of the person, the need directly in front, or sometimes to the side, in that very moment of time.

I’ve heard it called ‘sprinkling the living water’. I’m calling it ‘unintended ministry’. Though perhaps it would be better called, “Intended Ministry”. Because in a world which demands so much of our time, where most are consumed by a daily life of “busyness”. Where our focus often excludes awareness of the other, of the circumstances directly in plain sight.

She surely had the money for this simple purchase. And perhaps … I did her no favor in buying this for her. Will she expect the same next time? Or perhaps, as it was ‘intended’ ~~ it was received as the grace and the smile from someone who has been blessed, and in turn would like to extend a blessing.

Is that not what these ‘Jars of Clay’ become? Those shaped into those who view the world as through the eyes of our Savior. Who when walking with His disciples so often surprised them ~ talking to children, touching the leper, healing a blind man, weeping over the death of a friend ~~ even conversing with the rich … and with the poor.

Nothing more to say ... but Beautiful!

I hope for a tomorrow, or the day after, or the one after that to continue to be that ‘jar of clay’. One whom is ready for the next ‘unintended ministry’. 

Today ~ April Fool's Day 2022 ~ would have been my mother's 80th birthday. It was through her life that I first discovered what 'Unintended Ministry' looks like. It's in her honor that I post this blog. I ~~ We love you Elizabeth Ann ~~

 

 

 

 

 

  

© Malcolm Grieve - Top Photo

Our Fathers, Their Sons ~~

At the 'Queen Mary' 1983

 His smile was larger than life as we ventured through this most magical place. Our journey lead us from adventure, to fantasy and even into the future. Yet more than the magic, more than the journey ~ what became most spectacular, was nothing more than a mouse. Well, perhaps not just any mouse. No, this particular mouse goes by the name of ‘Mickey’.

More than fifty years ago ~ when Hiroshi Imaizumi and I first met. Since 1971 he has been known as Uncle ‘Mickey’. My father and Mickey would begin a partnership, no actually a brotherhood, that continued until my father's death in 2010. And his new name ~ given by yours truly ~ was after that visit to Disneyland, and his love of ‘Mickey Mouse’, so the name stuck. In such a way, that through his world travels over the past fifty years, no one calls him Hiroshi. Ha!

Mickey & Dad ... circa 1990

Those early years provided many memorable experiences with Uncle Mickey. But none greater than the infamous ‘Dune Buggy’ ride. I had become good friends with Shotoshi Takahasi, a foreign exchange student from Yokohoma, Japan, who was a fellow ballplayer, neighbor & best friend. Shos, as we would call him, had been in the States for six months when Mickey arrived for a two week stay. My father, by the same name, Rick and I had built a four seat dune buggy just the year prior. With a 2100cc VW engine, back seats that sat six inches above those in front and buggy reign brakes (for turning on a dime), this buggy remains as one of my most favorite memories.

It was a gorgeous Spring afternoon as the California sun glowed upon the Santa Clarita dry riverbed. Mickey & Shos sat in the back seats. Rounding corners and topping hills while completing 180 & 270 degree spins, made for nothing more than pure joy! And then came ~ ‘the spot ‘. Dad slowed ... glanced toward me and we both nodded. Ahead ~ a lone puddle, that appeared inches in depth. First, then second and third gears provided more than sufficient speed enroute to the puddle. As the front, then the rear tires hit ~ a wave of water, no, of mud lifted above the buggy and landed perfectly upon our unbeknownst passengers. Dad with excellent precision grasped the left buggy reign as we spun a perfect 180 degrees to a stop. What seemed like seconds of silence, the two passengers, with almost choreographed synchronization ... lifted their arms toward the sky and shouted ~~ AGAIN!

Mickey, Kuni & I ... Tokyo 07'

“Well done sir!”, the announcer proclaimed as Kunitaka crossed the finish at the 2019 Portland Marathon. His second place finish with a time of 2 hours and 46 minutes was more than sufficient for qualification to the famous Boston Marathon. Kuni (as he prefers to be called) and I ironically first met in Japan in 2007 at the Tokyo Marathon. I was in Tokyo for a weeks visit after a return from a training operation in Sri Lanka. Uncle Mickey took the two of us on a tour of his lovely city.

Autzen Stadium ~ Fall 2019

The 2019 Portland Marathon, my first ~ Ha! ... as I rode my bicycle around the city capturing video of Kuni and his run to his second place finish. It was our fifth of six meets while he attended the University of Oregon for nine months that year. A July visit even included his parents, Mickey & Kyoung Mee who traveled from Japan for a brief visit. Together we enjoyed Silver Falls State Park and also lovely afternoon baseball game watching the Salem Volcanoes.

Rick & Kuni ~ Go 'Red Sox'! Oct 2021

And now, months have past since Kuni ran with the top 3% in the 125^th running of the Boston Marathon. We enjoyed great lodging in Natick with my nephew Daniel, along with morning breakfast at 'The Bagel Table'. A beautiful ride out to the Atlantic coast. And let us not forget the 'baseball marathon'. Yes, the night before his race we had the privilege to enjoy great seats in the Major Leagues oldest stadium, Fenway Park, where the Red Sox were victorious in thirteen innings. Oh baby!

Kuni's Finish in Boston

How life so quickly changes. After Kuni’s return to Japan in late 2019, I began making tentative plans for a trip to Japan in the Fall of 2021. Then in early 2021 Uncle Mickey would have a stroke and later even diagnosed with cancer. Unbeknownst at that time that I would still have a Fall 2021 connection with the Imaizumi family. Only not in Japan, but rather Boston, USA.

Then came the news toward the end of January 2022, Uncle Mickey had died. Blessed ~~ I’ve been to have had him as part of my life’s journey. Blessed that Kuni made the University of Oregon his school of choice in 2019. 

Not sure if their sons will have another twenty-five years in order to match the forty of which our fathers so enjoyed.  What I do know ~ an ocean was never able to diminish their friendship. Not then, and not now.

Kuni, Karen, Rick, Kyoung Mee & Mickey

Post Boston Marathon Delight :)

Silver Falls State Park - July 2019

2nd Place - Portland 2019

~ Mickey, a major role in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium ~

https://weldingproductivity.com/article/olympic-assist/

                                                Kuni at the 2019 Portland Marathon