I believe one would be safe in saying that I am not much of a planner. Although, in working with the Emergency Management Agency for many years, it has been a large part of my job to plan. I have pretty much tripped and fell into most everything I've ever done.
When graduation time was approaching in high school many of my friends had plans of what they were going to do with their lives. "I'm going to this college". "I am going to work for this company". "I am going to get married". "I am going into the military". Me? I planned no further than graduation. "Just get me out of here and I'll be happy".
But there was this little thing called the Viet Nam war going on and God had an idea. Without a plan of my own, God placed a "trip wire" in my path. I stumbled over it and fell right into the U.S. Coast Guard.
Boot camp in the Coast Guard was interesting to say the least. At the conclusion of that little event they put us through a battery of test, questions and interviews to see what we were qualified to do in this outfit. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was a teenager who had done nothing significant but work on the family farm, tinker with hotrods, and play ball a little. I had no interest. So God stretched out another "trip wire" and I stumbled into diesel engineman's school. Upon the completion of this school I assumed that I would be on a ship or on a base somewhere with the primary duties of working on engines. But no, another trip and I fell into a search and rescue unit at a little place called Galveston, Texas. It was an island resort of such where people went to vacation and relax and where there was a great shrimp fleet and a booming shipping business. So with a splash, I found myself on a small boat with two other young men and we were suppose to save lives and property on the water.
After I left the Guard, still with no plan, I found myself back at my home town of Calera as a member of the Calera volunteer fire department. I guess because I had been taught to fight fire and save lives in the Guard, I thought it was something I could do at home. One night a man named Neil Harkins came up to me at the fire department meeting and asked if I would like to go to EMT school. I had no idea what and EMT was but said sure. Another stumble, another fall and I find myself a few weeks later with a state of Alabama Emergency Medical Technician's license.
Immediately, I was offered a job working for the ambulance service in Chilton County and fell face first into another rewarding and challenging job. Working midnight shift with Bobby Martin as my driver I did a lot of on the job training and tripped and fell into EMT II school and Paramedic school. I had always hated school but now I found that learning this stuff came easy. I was offered a job teaching EMS and when I got up off the floor, found that I really liked sharing what I had learned with others.
As good as God had been to me and as many blessings as He had given me, I still turned my back on Him and sinned against Him, my family and my loved one's. I tripped again and found myself working as a Ranger on the river as far away from people as I could get. I spent many lonesome days and nights just me and the river and the woods.
But a job came open and with the encouragement of Charles Cupp I tripped and found myself hired as Director of the Chilton County Emergency Management Agency. I could go on and on with other examples of "trips" I have made. Buying a home, extra jobs, more training, churches and friends I have met and worked with. But honestly, none of it was planned, at least not planned by me.
And today I find myself at another "trip wire". I have worked for Chilton County for thirty years and today will be my last day working for them. As I walked back from the tabernacle this morning I realized that I had tripped over something else called retirement. I certainly don't dread it. When I have contemplated about it, it has seemed a good thing to do. I think others have worried more about it than I have. I'm not worried because you see when you have tripped as many times as I have you learn something. I have learned that there is a loving, caring God who is always there to catch you and soften your fall.
Derek stopped by the garden on his way to work last week. I think he was concerned that I might be concerned that I was getting old and feeble and useless because of my retirement. As I tied up my tomatoes (which are doing great I might add) He said, "Old man, this retirement stuff ain't the end, it's the beginning". I think I see that and I am excited to see where I land.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO ASK
It's a common question. You hear it all the time. I've asked it myself over this past year, since I knew I was going to retire. I would meet an acquaintance who had already retired and I would say "Well, tell me how are you liking retirement"? Some would share a positive response but most would admit that they are bored and would go back to their old job if they could.
I am not even officially retired yet, that happens on June 30th, 2014, but Derrick Wright the young man who was hired to replace me told me he would call if he needed anything. I think that's just his nice way to say " Go home old man and get out of my way". So for several weeks now I have pretty much enjoyed myself cutting grass, bush-hogging, and working in the garden. (The best garden I've had in years.) Those who know me know that is the way I have fun. But let me share a few more things I have done that should keep you from having to ask the old "How are you liking retirement question".
One evening, after Keva got off from work, we drove up to Lloyd's on 280. I ate their fantastic salad, a BBQ plate, and topped it off with lemon pie. It was great. That food has tasted the same for I know over 35 years. Since the time coach Danny Alverson and the Calera Eagles allowed me to work with them and enjoy that weekly experience during each football season. The waitress told me that the same cook had been working there for years. Nothing beats a good meal with a wonderful friend and a beautiful lady especially when they are one in the same.
Another afternoon, Derek, Lauran and Kinsley came across the field and ate burgers with us. After dinner Kinsley and I decided we needed to go out and put a little water on the garden. She accompanied me there dressed in her little pink sun dress and her Dora The Explorer shoes. After a good time in the garden giving the plants a little drink, I returned her to her parents, wet, muddy and with her princess shoes covered with crud. We both enjoyed our little task, and mom and dad didn't even yell.
Two large trees crashed in our front yard a few weeks back. So last Saturday as James Sanders cut them up with his big chain saw, I swung the old log splitter and loaded firewood on the truck then unloaded it and stacked it under the wood shed for the winter. At almost 63 I put in a very long, hot day and slept like a baby.
We have spent time with Chris, Juli and their family watching them slide down the homemade slip and slide, made of a large sheet of plastic covered with Dawn dishwashing soap and water. We shared a meal together under the big Black Walnut trees at the old farm place.
Perrin spent the night not long ago. He work up about 5:00 a.m. and climbed into the bed beside me. After Nana went to work the next day he and I rode the "big tractor" and the "little tractor", we made a boat out of tree bark and sailed it down the creek (which he called a river). We sailed that "ship" over and over again. Out in the barn, he found some old toys that his dad use to play with and spent a long time enjoying them. I planted a maple tree, given to me by Betty Cofer, while he was playing and took his picture next to it. We laughed and played like two little kids.
"You are going to be bored", they said. "You will go crazy the first week", they predicted. But just in case you are one of those who feels like I won't make it. Just read my short list of activities above. You can save your breath and not have to ask the old retirement question. Cause this old guy is having a blast.
I am not even officially retired yet, that happens on June 30th, 2014, but Derrick Wright the young man who was hired to replace me told me he would call if he needed anything. I think that's just his nice way to say " Go home old man and get out of my way". So for several weeks now I have pretty much enjoyed myself cutting grass, bush-hogging, and working in the garden. (The best garden I've had in years.) Those who know me know that is the way I have fun. But let me share a few more things I have done that should keep you from having to ask the old "How are you liking retirement question".
One evening, after Keva got off from work, we drove up to Lloyd's on 280. I ate their fantastic salad, a BBQ plate, and topped it off with lemon pie. It was great. That food has tasted the same for I know over 35 years. Since the time coach Danny Alverson and the Calera Eagles allowed me to work with them and enjoy that weekly experience during each football season. The waitress told me that the same cook had been working there for years. Nothing beats a good meal with a wonderful friend and a beautiful lady especially when they are one in the same.
Another afternoon, Derek, Lauran and Kinsley came across the field and ate burgers with us. After dinner Kinsley and I decided we needed to go out and put a little water on the garden. She accompanied me there dressed in her little pink sun dress and her Dora The Explorer shoes. After a good time in the garden giving the plants a little drink, I returned her to her parents, wet, muddy and with her princess shoes covered with crud. We both enjoyed our little task, and mom and dad didn't even yell.
Two large trees crashed in our front yard a few weeks back. So last Saturday as James Sanders cut them up with his big chain saw, I swung the old log splitter and loaded firewood on the truck then unloaded it and stacked it under the wood shed for the winter. At almost 63 I put in a very long, hot day and slept like a baby.
We have spent time with Chris, Juli and their family watching them slide down the homemade slip and slide, made of a large sheet of plastic covered with Dawn dishwashing soap and water. We shared a meal together under the big Black Walnut trees at the old farm place.
Perrin spent the night not long ago. He work up about 5:00 a.m. and climbed into the bed beside me. After Nana went to work the next day he and I rode the "big tractor" and the "little tractor", we made a boat out of tree bark and sailed it down the creek (which he called a river). We sailed that "ship" over and over again. Out in the barn, he found some old toys that his dad use to play with and spent a long time enjoying them. I planted a maple tree, given to me by Betty Cofer, while he was playing and took his picture next to it. We laughed and played like two little kids.
"You are going to be bored", they said. "You will go crazy the first week", they predicted. But just in case you are one of those who feels like I won't make it. Just read my short list of activities above. You can save your breath and not have to ask the old retirement question. Cause this old guy is having a blast.
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