It's time to 'bear down" from the mound. One of the great influences of my life is John Hulen. John and I met when I was a mid-year freshman transfer into Thomas Jefferson High School ( yes, the great TJHS for Math and Science in Northern Virginia ) where he held court as the JV Basketball coach and the Varsity Baseball coach. I introduced myself just to let him know I wanted to play baseball. It was a new high school at the time and didn't even have a baseball field. He was kind. But, at the time, he was preoccupied with coaching the JV team to an undefeated season. I watched his team play and vowed I would play for him the following year in basketball. He exuded John Wooden like charisma and character. I was in awe, no doubt. I had been cut from the 8th grade basketball team in Ohio, deservedly so, while I rode out the worst year of my life living mostly alone with my father in Korea, my mom working at night in a hospital and my older brother and sister long gone. It was a difficult time. There was no baseball that year except for the varsity which practiced with plastic balls on the parking lot but I watched. I watched him more than I watched the players. I had met my mentor.
Everytime I happen on to The Sound Of Music, memories and emotions flood to the surface. It was one of the only movies my family and I actually went to the theatre to watch along with my beloved Grandma Ruby who was visiting at the time. She took a special interest in me and wrote to me regularly from Nebraska until she died. I bleed tears and I know its corny. What would you do if the main characters reminded you of your family? Precious innocent children starved for love an affection, a distant, remote and tormented military father and an angel from God in my mother. Theirs had a happy ending.
Joe Paterno should go gently into the night. He is without doubt, legendary and iconic as well as a wonderful coach, father and face of Penn State football. But as the Head Coach, he should be able to perform at the highest level. He's a figure-head now and an emeritus that no one wants to say good-bye to other than his ardent detractors. I'm not one of those. Gently, Joe, ride off into your sunset.
This black background reminds me of old vinyl records - so it is that what is written is of the record, by the record and " for the record."
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ReplyDelete2011 is already a great year and it isn't even here yet......!
ReplyDeleteIt's time to 'bear down" from the mound. One of the great influences of my life is John Hulen. John and I met when I was a mid-year freshman transfer into Thomas Jefferson High School ( yes, the great TJHS for Math and Science in Northern Virginia ) where he held court as the JV Basketball coach and the Varsity Baseball coach. I introduced myself just to let him know I wanted to play baseball. It was a new high school at the time and didn't even have a baseball field. He was kind. But, at the time, he was preoccupied with coaching the JV team to an undefeated season. I watched his team play and vowed I would play for him the following year in basketball. He exuded John Wooden like charisma and character. I was in awe, no doubt. I had been cut from the 8th grade basketball team in Ohio, deservedly so, while I rode out the worst year of my life living mostly alone with my father in Korea, my mom working at night in a hospital and my older brother and sister long gone. It was a difficult time. There was no baseball that year except for the varsity which practiced with plastic balls on the parking lot but I watched. I watched him more than I watched the players. I had met my mentor.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I happen on to The Sound Of Music, memories and emotions flood to the surface. It was one of the only movies my family and I actually went to the theatre to watch along with my beloved Grandma Ruby who was visiting at the time. She took a special interest in me and wrote to me regularly from Nebraska until she died. I bleed tears and I know its corny. What would you do if the main characters reminded you of your family? Precious innocent children starved for love an affection, a distant, remote and tormented military father and an angel from God in my mother. Theirs had a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteJoe Paterno should go gently into the night. He is without doubt, legendary and iconic as well as a wonderful coach, father and face of Penn State football. But as the Head Coach, he should be able to perform at the highest level. He's a figure-head now and an emeritus that no one wants to say good-bye to other than his ardent detractors. I'm not one of those. Gently, Joe, ride off into your sunset.
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