I Wish I Had Met Him ...

... Secretariat, that is. Helen and I saw the movie last evening. An emotional experience! I wiped away tears throughout the movie. Diane Lane who is the star of the Disney movie went to high school with our children at Savannah Christian Prep school in Savannah, Ga. This morning I visited www.secretariat.com and spent an hour reading about this magnificent animal. Within the official site -- -- you can also find a moving story about Secretariat's brother, Straight Flush, who was rescued from the slaughter house. Here are photos of Secretariat winning the Belmont and the Triple Crown by 31 lengths! Helen and I visited the Horse Farm in Lexington last spring where many of the horse great are buried. Here is Secretariat's grave:
GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

Thinking of whom I would have liked to have met, here is my initial list:
Martin Luther King, Jr. -- to say, "Thank you"
Babe Ruth -- I was ten when he died in '48
William Faulkner -- to sit on the Square in Oxford and talk about Mississippi
Ernest Hemingway -- to ask "Why did you end it like you did?"
John Wayne -- to throw down a drink with him
John Denver -- to ask, again, "Why...?"
Geronimo -- to say on behalf of my country, "I'm sorry"
Peter Marshall -- Scottish preacher, my first dorm room at Columbia Seminary was his dorm room, too -- I'd ask, "Who was your early mentor?"
Bobby Jones -- I'd ask, "What was the most difficult shot you ever had to hit?"


Others I did meet:
Ronald Reagan -- I met him in the late 80's when I was a delegate to the Georgia GOP convention in Atlanta
William 'Bill' Gardner -- former pastor of First Presbyterian of Atlanta, who was my early ministry mentor
Gayle Sayers -- Chicago Bears great who was best friends with Brian Piccolo and helped him thru his illness with cancer till his death. They made a movie about their friendshipo. He came to my church to speak and with whom Helen and I shared a meal

Oh, I could go on with a long list and will add others later.

Add yours in the comment section.

Boise Rescue Mission

Helen and I helped serve the evening meal at Rescue Mission last night in Boise, ID. The Rescue Mission is located in near downtown Boise. We volunteer there several nights a month with other Covenant Presbyterian Church volunteers.

Last night we arrived a half hour early so I slipped into the back of the chapel to listen to the Bible lesson/preaching. (Helen joined me later.) Approximately twenty-five to thirty men whose ages ranged from (I'm guessing) 30 to 65 were listening attentively to the speaker, a black pastor named Pastor Mike, a 74 year old pastor in the Boise area.

At first I was more interested in the responses of the men than in listening, but soon found myself captivated by Mike's style and words. I realized immediately why the men in the room were paying such rapt attention to the speaker. It was obvious to me that Mike was 'empowered' spiritually.

Mike was preaching from I Timothy, pointing out to us how the Apostle Paul so carefully instructed his young protege, Timothy, about 'keeping the faith'. It was so readily apparent that Pastor Mike truly cared about the men before him. His eyes seemed to penetrate each man toward whom he looked. Then his easy smile would warm the entire room. The men in the room received and returned his affection. There was no doubt about the respect which Mike extended to each man. Though every man in the room was 'down on his luck', struggling financially and some fighting personal demons, Mike honored their dignity, not talking down to them.

Later, with Helen, I was honored to help serve a meal to these same men. I was blessed to hear Pastor Mike and be a part of the Covenant Church volunteers.

Friends' Teen Takes His Life

I've had trouble sleeping the last several nights. My mind has been processing the suicide death of a 15 year old of Johns Creek, GA, son of parents who are members of my last parish. Last Friday morning, before a school day, the son took his own life in his bedroom. The family and friends and all who knew the boy are stunned, as am I. I'm grieving with his parents; just can't get his death off my mind. I remember him at church on countless occasions, smiling and happy. I talked with his mother Saturday. Understandably, she said, "I just don't understand it." While some suicides are explainable (disease, pain, unbearable loss, etc), many are not. The suicide of a child produces a pain that is so deep it is almost unbearable. The words of Job help: "I know my Redeemer lives and I, too, shall live." The Christian has this hope: God is merciful; his love never ends." Jesus has healed the young teen's pain and Jesus will heal the pain of his parents. We have no other hope than Jesus. We lost a son, too, and the loss is still very real, even after years, but God has constantly reminded us that this life is temporary and we will see our son again. Bereaved parents hold on to that hope in the darkest hour.

Teen suicides are rampant in the U.S. I was a member of the governer's Teen Suicide Prevention Commission in Arkansas in the mid-90's. We published a list of the "10 Warning Signs of Teen Suicide".

Here is a list of warning signs:

Talking or joking about suicide.

Statements about being reunited with a deceased loved one.

Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness. Example: "Life is useless." "Everyone would be better off without me." "It doesn't matter. I won't be around much longer anyway." "I wish I could just disappear."

Preoccupation with death. Example: recurrent death themes in music, literature, or drawings. Writing letters or leaving notes referring to death or "the end".
Suddenly happier or calmer.

Loss of interest in things one cares about.

Unusual visiting or calling people one cares about - saying their good-byes.

Giving possessions away, making arrangements, setting one's affairs in order.

Self-destructive behavior (alcohol/drug abuse, self-injury or mutilation, promiscuity).

Risk-taking behavior (reckless driving/excessive speeding, carelessness around bridges, cliffs or balconies, or walking in front of traffic).

Having several accidents resulting in injury. Close calls or brushes with death.
Obsession with guns or knives.

EVERY TEEN SUICIDE IS A WAKEUP CALL TO ALL PARENTS OF TEENS!

Here are more indicators to watch and listen for re all ages:

Behavioral Indicators
Acquiring a Weapon
Hoarding Medication
Putting Affairs in Order
Making or Changing a Will
Increased Interest in Suicide
Giving Away Personal Belongings
Mending Grievances
Checking on Insurance Policy
Withdrawing from People
Verbal Indicators

Straightforward Comments:
"I wish I were dead"
"I wish I had the nerve to kill myself."
"I wish I could die in my sleep."
"If it weren't for my kids, my husband ... I would commit suicide."

Hints:"I hate life."
"Why do I bother?"
"I can't take it anymore."
"Nothing matters anymore."

Parents! Talk to your kids! Listen to your kids! Spent time with your kids! Give up tennis, golf, social events, shopping, TV, etc, if necessary, to save your teen's life!

Ambassador RV Resort, Caldwell, Idaho

Ambassador RV Resort is a 150-plus site rv park in Caldwell, ID, (population 85,000), 15 miles west of Boise, ID (population 250,000). We've been here (as we are every year) since August 1. Today it's been in the high 60's, beautiful sunshine and little or no wind. We've got friends all over the park with whom we play golf, cook dinners, discuss grandkids, shop and talk politics. Anna and our two grands are only 10 minutes away in Nampa and we see them several times a week for football games, cross-country races, meals out and in, and other school and family activities.

We have joined the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise which is 18 miles from our park. This has enabled us to make new friends in Boise and worship with a church family. Our church is very mission minded and we have participated in local mission work. It is an absolutely beautiful drive into Boise on Sunday mornings driving thru the beautiful farmland with the mountains always in front of us. Being a Presbyterian Church the neighborhoods are definitely upscale real estate with country clubs and golf clubs all along the route. We also pass many other large churches of various denominations and many Mormon houses of worship. Many Sunday mornings we see hot air balloons floating quietly near the mountains.

The Owyhee Mountains are only minutes away and the snow will be here in a few weeks which means snowboarding and skiing. It also means colder weather, for which we are prepared. Bosie is an old town and very interesting. It has a very nice restored historic district downtown with gas lights and beautiful trees and foliage.

Planes are constantly in the air above us most every day as the Caldwell airport is less than a mile from our site. Many farmers have their own planes. We can watch sky diving everyday when the weather permits (sky diving is on Larry's 'bucket list'). They say you can fly 365 days a year in Idaho. You may have to de-ice but they still fly. That is why the headquarters of Missionary Aviation Fellowship is in Nampa.

One of the amenities at the Ambassador Resort is individual immaculate white tile bathrooms/showers with stacks of personal white bath mats. Access to the bathrooms is only by code keypad. Other services are propane delivered as needed, coffee, danish and free newspapers in the mornings, heated salt water pool (which Helen loves), regular potlucks, poker nights, full mailroom, immaculately kept lawns, weekly jam sessions with local musicians,and ready assistance with any RV needs/problems.

California and Oregon are only a short drive west. Our great niece is in grad school in Eugene, Oregon and we hope to see her this fall, here or there. Other great friends throughout the west will be meeting us in various locations when we start travelling again in the new year.

Here are some scene at Ambassador I took today.

Our pool, hot tub and sauna:

Our Pad:

Other RVs in Resort:

Flag on back of Molly II;

Main building housing office, rec hall, pool hall, dining area:

Neighbor walking dogs:

Airplane overhead:

Older couple next door:

Neighbor (whose dog bit me!):

Neighbor (friend Charlie who was recently hospitalized):

Over 75 5th Wheels in the Resort:

Salmon on the grill tonight:

Honey, the Guard dog, on duty:

Shrimp on the Grill

Tonight dear friends at Ambassador RV Resort are coming for dinner. Helen is cooking fresh vegetables and cornbread and I'm grilling canjun shrimp on the grill. We met Don and Kay three years ago at Ambassador where Don works a couple days a week and Kay works in Caldwell as an office manager. Don and I play golf every Monday morning, weather permitting (we've played in snow last year). They have new grandbabies as do we and it's fun comparing notes of our children and grandchildren.

Don is a guy who can fix anything! I go to him for help with all kinds of problems involving our RV. He left home when he was 16 and joined a circus...lol. He's done about everything there is to do with machinery and is eager to help any RVers with problems with their RV. He is just learning to play golf and I enjoy helping him as I am able. I'm shooting average low 80's and he's shooting 102-110, but getting better every week. We have a couple guys who join us on Monday mornings.

Kay is a sweet lady, a ready smile. Don is an accomplished Italian cook and prepares fantastic dishes. Helen just got his pumpkin cheesecake recipe.

Life is good on the 'range'.

Another New Neighbor

I met Lee yesterday when I was enjoying the hot tub and he strolled up. Lee is 56, from state of Washington. At 22 years of age he suffered a brain aneurysm which severely disabled him for life. Now 34 years later he is managing to exist with some help from his brother who comes to him and his RV and drives him to his next RV park. Lee is able to walk, but very slowly and with help from his large and unique cane. He was never married and says, "I can't develop a relationship with a woman because of my disability. I can't remember much since my two brain surgeries. And from day to day I forget a lot of things. No woman wants to put up with my problems. I just go on day after day the best I can. My biggest problem is finding someone to have extended converstions with. It gets pretty lonely being alone all the time, except when my brother comes to take me and my rig to another park." He asked if he could come over this afternoon and visit for a little while. I said, "Of course." Hope he shows up.

Lee's life puts your/my life in proper perspective. Enjoy your ability to get around without help. It could 'go' anytime.