I love hearing stories about my Pops from other people. It’s so interesting to hear other’s memories & perspectives. I talked to my dad this afternoon, on a whim. It was raw & tear-jerking. One of these days, I’ll put my money where my mouth is and interview my family members, but sometimes hearing it off the cuff is far more authentic and inspiring. Anyway…
There’s a fragility to life that I think we often overlook, perhaps on purpose? We think we are invincible; that there are no consequences to our actions. We live carelessly and recklessly without thought to how it might or will affect those around us. Lots of change in my life has had this line of thinking weighing heavily on my heart and mind for the past several days, or maybe even weeks. It makes me want to pick up the phone and call my grandpa and just ask him what I should do. What path should I take, what’s the right decision, and on and on. But I can’t. So I write instead.
Pops was the prison warden at the El Reno Prison for the ten years before I or the rest of his grandchildren were born. Even though I’ve never been there, somehow, I know his name is all over the prison walls. And if it’s not, it dang well should be. Dad was telling me today that the prison in the 80s when Tommy C. Martin was ruling over it, had lots of different programs and activities designed to teach the prisoners tools and skills. Once they got out they had something tangible to rely on in order to keep themselves out of prison for good in order to be and stay a productive member of society. Pops’ heart was a servant heart. I know for a fact that the way he ran that prison was designed in such a way that everyone knew he was tough, but that he was also fair. I didn’t know until today that my dad, years ago, had applied to work at the prison to be their automotive shop foreman. When they asked him if he thought he could shoot someone if he had to, that’s when he decided that job wasn’t for him. He told me, he wasn’t mean enough, cynical enough- what a wild thing to have to think about right? I wish I could have seen Pops in his prime warden days- again- so many things I wish I could have experienced with him or questions I wanted to ask. One day…
How do you know where you’re supposed to be? I think, and obviously I’m not expert, but just from my own experiences and talking to others I’m close to; you have to sit with yourself in the quiet place and commune with your Creator. He is ALWAYS willing to teach and point you in the right direction. We just have to have open minds and hearts to listen and take in the wisdom that is pouring down on us. There are so many things that cannot be explained away. I don’t know what you believe but I believe God put me on this earth for a purpose and like my Pops, it’s to serve my God and to serve others.
Not much order to these thoughts today but had to get them on paper.