There's alot of cool things I get to share with Stephanie. One of the things we like to do from time to time is watch Daniel the Tiger, which happens to be based on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Such a classic. I still remember him singing to me, while putting on his sweater/shoes, as if we was speaking to me right through the screen. I remember when he passed, and feeling a bit sad that such a positive influence was gone from us. The video clip found here shows his last public words. In it he encourages the listener to take a few moments and reflect on those who've made a change to the listener's life. Tonight, that's what this blog is all about. I want to introduce you to an old friend.
In my younger twenties, well, I was a mess. A product of an abusive and legalistic home, I hadn't the faintest on what to expect out of life. For me it was just enough to make it one day at a time, putting one foot in front of another. I also had no idea what I believed personally, I had always relied on what I was taught to be the truth. I could point to you anywhere in the Bible where certain facts were, could quote passages, but to tell you what I felt personally and knew in my heart to be real and I was lost.
And that's a dangerous place to be, because what happens is you judge everyone around you, Instead of showing love and compassion along with living the life, you see the world through judgmental eyes, constantly finding the fault in others, and not realizing the irony of it all - that the one truly lost is you.
One year out of college, and I was still struggling. I'd contacted a local private school that an old college buddy was working and applied to get the job. After a brief interview process, I'd received word that I'd gotten the job. I packed all my things into a small Ford Escort and trekked from Cincinnati OH to Maryland, which was familiar territory to me. I'd spent many a childhood year there. so it was in some ways a Homecoming.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts (see post "Art"), I rented a basement in Queen Anne where I lived for over 10 years. That time in Queen Anne was such a pivotal time for me. First of all, I'd never known stability like that. I mean, the longest I'd ever lived in one place was when I was in college. Most of the times we moved were not by my choosing. Usually we moved because my dad could never stay in one place.
But there was something else. At Queen Anne, there were people who came into my life that challenged me in a loving way. And I'd never had that before. Having spent so many years judging and "knowing it all" doesn't really endear you to many folks, and divorce had really rocked my family to the point that I had no feasible relationships.
As a teacher, it was the blind leading the blind. I taught from rote memory, pulling lessons from what I had learned before instead of continually learning myself. I also got roped into being JV Volleyball coach and had no clue about volleyball other than the net and the ball. I wanted to help out wherever I could.
The ONE positive in all of this foolishness was meeting Mike. He was coach of the varsity team, knew what he was doing, and over the next few years of my life, would challenge me in ways I never thought. Looking back, though, I was ridiculous. I mean the things I thought I believed, and what I lived - like I said, I was a mess.
And you know what - I'm sure he walked away more than once shaking his head at it all, wondering what the heck was wrong with me. And even with all my defects, my quirks, and my ridiculousness, he still reached out to me and challenged me. In the truest sense of the word, he showed me God's love, he lived it.
One of these days, I'm sure we'll catch up. and the coolest thing for me will be that he gets to see the result of it all - my family now, the love we share and the happiness - in part, all thanks to him.
