Guns, guns, guns

 

There have been at least 15 known assassination attempts on our American leaders in the past 150 years.

A would-be assassin fired a weapon at Teddy Roosevelt while he was campaigning in Milwaukee in 1912. Roosevelt was struck but by a stroke of supreme luck the bullet was slowed by Roosevelt’s eyeglasses case and a copy of his folded-up speech in his pocket. The bullet was never removed from Roosevelt’s body.

Two attempts were made on Gerald Ford’s life.

Presidential candidate George Wallace was paralyzed for life after being hit by an assassin’s bullet.

John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Harvey Milk, George Moscone, Gabby Gifford, James Garfield, Warren Harding, Andrew Jackson… should I go on?

Yep. America sure loves its guns. Especially crazies who have no business having access to a gun. We loves our guns even more than our leaders, even more than our precious children.

Where ?

 

* "I'm just going to the Super Bowl celebration tonight. I'll be safe there."

* "My children are at school. Who doesn't love children? Who would want to harm them?"

* "Honey, I'm going to the grocery store. Be back soon."

* I am going out for a jog. I won’t be bothering anyone."

* "Hi, Dad. I love it here at college."

* "Postage stamps are up again. At least it's safe here."

* "I cannot wait to get home from work, but yeesh, the traffic is at a standstill."

* "This concert in Las Vegas is so great! I'm having a ball!"

* "Hey Susie! Wanna go to the mall?"

* "The Godzilla movie is coming out tonight. Wanna go early? It's going to be packed!"

* "Honey, I'll be late tonight. Don't forget tonight is our men's league baseball game at the park."

* "I love my job at the Capitol Building."

* "I'm minding my own business."

* "We're going to the Black Lives Matter rally."

* "My car broke down. Can I use your phone to call for a tow truck?"

* "Honey, do you need anything from Walmart?"

* "(knock knock) "I'm lost. Can you tell me where the nearest (fill in the blank) is?"

* "I just heard gunshots down the street. Thankfully, we're safe in our home."

* "I'm walking home from my friend's dinner party." **

* "Man, work has been so intense of late. They just fired Tom."

* "Church services were great last Sunday. Can't wait to go back tomorrow."

* "What are you doing in this neighborhood?"

* "My gun is tucked safely away under my bed where no one can find it. Johnny, you stay out of my room!"

* "Not sure why, but the Proud Boys are protesting at the library."

* "Can you show me your driver's license?"

Tell me, what has happened to our country, our world?

** My friend Eric's son was killed walking home one summer night on a "safe" Philadelphia street.

Happy birthday, son!

 

47 years ago this afternoon (even though it seems like yesterday) I was at work at Pike Lumber Company when my (then) wife Phyllis called me and said, “Now be calm. I’m not sure but I think I’m in labor.” I asked if she wanted me to come home, and she said, “No, not now, but if I need you, I’ll call.” I worked with her Dad so I crossed over to his workspace to let him know.

You have to know her Dad Abe, and also my boss Tony—both pranksters supreme. For the rest of the afternoon, every time the sawmill phone rang, I was sure it was Phyllis. Little did I know our plant manager was sitting in the bunkhouse calling and Tony would not answer the phone. He just let it ring and ring and… I was going crazy!

When I got home, Phyllis was pretty certain she was in labor but all we could do was wait. Late that night, around 3 am Phyllis was awake and had called the hospital to let them know her condition. Somehow I slept through all of this, but she awoke me, as I recall around 4:30 am. We arrived at Rochester’s old Woodlawn Hospital, a ten-mile drive from home, just after 5. She was wheeled into the delivery prep room where we waited for the doctor.

Just around 5:50 we were escorted to the delivery room… our bundle of joy, our baby boy Wesley Adam, was born at 6:16 am on February 1st, 1977.

During delivery, I almost got thrown out of the room. When the needles came out (for a local) I covered my eyes. The doc said, “If you’re going to get squeamish, you should leave.” I was fine, I said… once you put the needles away. So brave I was (haha).

The nurses told Phyllis afterward that that was one of the quickest deliveries they had ever seen, and if we planned on having any other kids we should camp out at the hospital.

Soon, all of our parents arrived (mine, that is). We lived with Phyllis’ parents at that time so they actually drove us to the hospital.

Anyhow, the most precious moment of our 19-year-old lives arrived that morning, and our lives were never the same after that.

These are, of course, my recollections. I’m sure Wes’ Mom Phyllis has even more stories to tell. This is my story of becoming a Daddy; it is Phyllis’ story of becoming a stupendous Mommy. A story about the happiest moment of our lives.

Happy birthday, Wes. Your parents love you!

Good bye, 2023 Welcome, 2024

 

Smiles, everybody, smiles

When Stephen and I sat eating breakfast this morning, I noticed a few Facebook posts from friends that led to thoughts of life churning in my thoughts. As we prepared to leave, we ran into two of my dearest longtime friends, Hank and Nancy Mascotte.

I have long known the friends we keep make the journey. Stephen and I treasure our friends. Yesterday, two of our dear friends faced the ultimate crossroads in life's journey. I "met" Beth Riches, Shane's cousin, on Facebook while I was stationed in Afghanistan in 2009. Not long after redeploying home, I met both Beth and her husband Ken. I liked them both from the word go. 

We met only occasionally, usually dining out, or when hanging out for special gatherings. In 2010, the two of them took me to see Devo in concert for my birthday. Holiday dinners, barhopping, concerts (John Mellencamp, for example--okay, Ken had to miss that one), Beth and Ken (with an assist from Matt and Shane) hosted several private concerts, inviting Stephen and me last year. At no time whenever we were together were there not laughter and good times.

Beth and Ken are the epitome of warm, caring, embracing friends. Nay--more like family. Ken was always friendly, quick to a joke, insightful comments, and a ready-knowing smile. If you ever see any of Beth and Ken's photos together, there is a constant: fun, joviality, smiles, BIG smiles (Mr. Roarke would be proud).

I cannot recall how many years distant it has been Ken when was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. After a long, tough battle Ken overcame it. Ken's strong personality would not easily accept defeat. These past six months, however, Ken's health presented him with new challenges.

Ken quietly passed away yesterday afternoon. Beth and Ken's two adult children were with him when he crossed over to what exists for us in the afterlife. I would like to think he is soaring in the stars.

Ken, you will be missed by your family and friends from all around this country.