The Peakin

1. The mouse skeleton - PopPop's house early 1980s
2. PopPop pissing on the GI Joes early 1980s
3. PopPop trying to get to Greece behind the secretary in the living room, next to the piano. Early 1980s.
4. Snuggling with dad on the couch, being like him. Reading the paper. early 1980s.
5. Wanting to deliver newspapers like dad, early 1980s.
6. Wanting to shave like dad, early 1980s.
7. My first bacon and egg sandwich. Holy Mackerel. Love at first bite. With a little ketchup and pepper. It was awesome, I can almost still taste it. Early 1980s. Congers, Old Strober King building.
8. Learning how to drive the Corvette. Mid 1990s. Fishtailing and stalling. His haircut car.
9. The first time I remember crying and Dad telling me not to cry like a girl. Mid 1980s. On the soccer field.
10. Not being able to play football b/c mom thought it was too dangerous and said dad would have to do it with me. Therefore I played soccer. 1980s.
11. Making varsity soccer team 1992. Dad takes serious interest in my soccer.
12. Graduating Duke 2000. Dad really happy.
13. Working for Dad, being impressed by how much presence he had. And how everybody feared and loved him. Why and why?
14. Pool parties, Dad was the center of attention. 1980s-1990s.

Dad Reminiscences:
1. College parties - Minnie Meister, a dean or professor, getting drunk on the "root beer" dad gave her and having a grand old time dancing at the Lambda Chi party. Late 1950s.
2. Dad scoring major touchdowns in high school and college. "Johnny the Bullet"
3. "I can still run". It killed me when he stopped saying this. He would always boast of his running abilities. I wanted to run as fast as my dad. I prided myself as being the fastest runner on the block. I disappointed myself when I was no longer the fastest kid around though. I did run a 4'53" mile in high school freshman year, which was pretty fast. My dad was more of a sprinter, I was more of a long distance runner with that incredible burst of speed at the end. Why couldn't I run like that the entire time?

Memories
Reminiscences
Reflections
Hopes
Dreams

Posted by F.Newara at 09:31 PM | Permalink

When it's all said and done, do our differences come together? When I read of principles in different religions, I can't help but notice similar undertones. The religion fits a culture. It's been born for that culture. Many cultures exist, but in the end we are human. So when the end should arise, what do these common religious tenants forecast? I fundamentally believe that God is watching over each and every one of us and guiding us to the Truth in any way that we are bound to listen. There certainly are people who do not listen. And I leave open the possibility that such "disobedience" may itself be a form of awakening whereby God is directing. But certainly for those of us who "listen" and certainly are "disobedient" in our own right, I don't believe it's as important as which you believe as long as you believe in something. For conviction grounds us and sets us firm. It allows us to act from values wherever values are set. Otherwise we search aimlessly for this or that.

Posted by F.Newara at 12:11 AM | Permalink