Author Topic: The Little Things in Life (Read 1099 times)

Taylortractornut · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2012, 11:48:20 pm »

I think alot of times a older folks get to feeling lonesome or that folks overlook them or dont have time for them. Theres an ornery concrete worker in town. Alot of folks dont like him but he good. He works alone except has an old man that he gets to help him set grade. I see how much it means for the old man to get out and be part of something. I think you have to remember that if it goes well you might be in that shape one day.

On the other hand really young folk get looked over some times. I was doing a demo job last summer that took a few days. The home owners had other contractors there and compmany they were entertaining. I saw this little blonde headed boy on the steps everyone was walking around and ignoring him. He was trying to show his parents a toy excavator he had and his mom was too busy with her friends and cell phone. I had a 15 inch stump about dug up and I called him over and let him sit in the cab of the hoe. I kindas guided the levers a bit and let him make 3 scoops and then pull up the stump. Now everytime I see him in the store he has to come over and talk.

Okrafarmer · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:02:30 am »

Yep, I remember a crane operator that had pity on me when I was about 6. He let me sit in the cab of the old cable crane with him at the scrap yard (after all, it was probably the safest place to be while he was loading scrap). I was always a precocious engineer of sorts and would watch work being done while I was young. My dad had 5 acres cleared for a runway and I watched the excavator operator like a hawk, when I was about 14. When he took his lunch break, he put me up in the cab (Caterpillar 215) and throttled it down, and said, "Now, don't touch this, this, or that. Just see what you can do while I have my lunch." I pulled two stumps while he ate.

thecfarm · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:37:48 am »

I just saw one of my teaches the other day. Asked him if he was Mr Smith,I use to be he said.

I told him who I was. He wanted to know about marriage,kids,ect. 89 years old,he is now.
It only takes a moment in life to be nice to someone else. I do wish others would take the time.

Okrafarmer · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:42:57 am »

That's a typical response from an old man up in Maine

doctorb · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:51:34 am »

Magicman-

Your story reminds me of a great song from John Prine entitled, "Hello in There." Here are a couple of the verses.

Ya' know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."

So if you're walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."

I like your story, the song, and the message of both.

Buck · « **Reply #25 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:10:55 pm »

Magicman,
Thanks for this thread. Last night we had a fellowship at church. Superbowl party and silent auction for our youth mission trip to South Mississippi. The auction was a major success while all the lewd behavior was on the TV. The pastor and youth pastor even auctioned off an opportunity to throw a pie in their face ($150 raised on that alone). I had a good time ribbing them about it but could never do it. It's a respect issue with me
Back on topic, It amazes me how holding a door or a simple yes mam or yes sir will catch attention these days. I do it instictually and have tried to raise my kids to do the same. To me this goes hand in hand with where this country needs to be or go back to. I know I've stretched this but Thanks again Magic..

Buck · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:35:01 am »

I've thought about this thread all day and it has been one of my favorites. Another is one that Logdog initiated called simple inexpensive pleasures.

CHARLIE · « **Reply #27 on:** February 08, 2012, 10:50:09 am »

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks MagicMan! I try to never miss an opportunity to visit, 'cause it may be the last one you'll get. I love to talk strike up a conversation with the cashiers, tellers, people in elavators or at least greet people when our paths cross.

One of my childhood memories was when I was about 5 or 6 and a carpenter was building a roof over the front stoop. I'm sure at that age I was asking him question after question. He was kind and always answered but now I realized that I was interfering with his work. How did he handle the situation? He stopped, took a piece of 1 by pine and with his handsaw cut out a toy rifle and gave it to me. I was thrilled and off I went to play with my new toy and he was able to finish his job. It doesn't take any more effort to be kind than to be unkind.

CHARLIE · « **Reply #28 on:** February 08, 2012, 11:19:08 am »

Brother Tom put a lot of his thoughts down in various places around the internet. I'm always stumbling across something he wrote and I'm so thankful he took the time to document his thoughts. Anyway, the Georgia Military College class of 1960 was preparing for their 50th Reunion a few years back and Tom, not being able to attend because of health reasons, wrote a little bit about his life on the alumni website. I copied this little bit from what he wrote 'cause I feel it fits in this thread. He had written about his previous executive job and then started writing about making the decision to buy a sawmill and become a Sawyer. It's amazing who you might meet if you take the time to say hello.

Charlie

__________________________________________________

"This down-to-earth profession has taught me that there are many important and intelligent people living in the background of the
Headlines and I feel very special to have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with them. I've met WW II war heroes, Korean war heroes, Viet Nam War heroes, Ranchers, loggers, and swampers in the Okeefinokee, among those for whom I've sawed, as well as hundreds of men and women that have no medals to tout, but are the fabric that has held this nation together."

Tom (September 30, 2010)

Magicman · « **Reply #29 on:** February 08, 2012, 01:45:40 pm »

Thanks for that Charlie.

I also thought about "Waiting on a Woman". Of course there is a song about it, and I heard my Dad talk about sitting on a shopping mall bench, talking to the other "waiters", and also waiting. Sometimes I see men just sitting there and not even talking. What a waste of time. It's amazing how many times you will have a common interest with a stranger. I love to share life.

Bogue Chitto · « **Reply #30 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:07:17 pm »

Best thread I have read, thank's Magicman. I try to teach my two boys to respect every one and everything. The other day we were riding to school and one of my boys saw a person on the side of the street. It was someone who he in his mind was "different or a person of lower self". My 9 year old made a remark about this person that I had to stop the truck and almost get a switch from the road side

. I did stop the truck a simply told him that God loves that person as much as he loves you. That got him to thinking and I got mad at someone later and he told me God loves that person as much as he loves you

Cedarman · « **Reply #31 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:30:51 pm »

Bogue , you bring up a point. In school there are kids who get picked on and there are kids who do the bullying. I told both my boys that I should never hear that they picked on or belittled anyone or wrath would befall them. They were big strong and easy going. No one was ever going to pick on them. So I mentioned that they should look out for the those that are picked on. Told them they didn't need to be friends or buddies, just that the word is that people don't get picked on that can't defend themselves.
This was in a rural school and a few years ago.

This is what Jeff does for the forum members. If he sees anyone being hassled with sarcasm or nastiness, boom, end of discussion. There is an umbrella of protection to keep discussions civil. What a nice place to visit.
Another one of those little things that make life enjoyable.

Bogue Chitto · « **Reply #32 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:39:47 pm »

RIGHT ON MY FRIEND!!! I told my boys if they ever pick on the anyone it will be hard pay. My boys play football and one is a brute on the field. He will knock em down and then pick them up with an encouraging word.

CHARLIE · « **Reply #33 on:** February 11, 2012, 03:57:33 pm »

I get a big kick out of paying for a person or a family's meal in a restaurant without them knowing who did it. I don't do it all the time and don't have any criteria, but they usually do tend to be elderly. But while traveling to Florida for Christmas, I did pay for a young man and his wife who had a cute baby girl at a Pizza Hut. It was easy to tell that they didn't have much money and this meal was a special time. Of course I always wish I could see their faces and hear what they said when they find out their meal and tip was covered, but I never will, because I want it to be anonymous.

Hopefully my gesture is meaningful to them, but I do it more for the way it makes me feel than anything else.

Magicman · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:57:03 pm »

I have had that to happen to me and never really knew who paid. I agree with you Charlie, that the giving is the real pleasure.

Bogue Chitto · « **Reply #35 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:14:58 pm »

While reading this thread on Friday a man with a large back pack appeared at my door. He was soaking wet and cold. He had been all over town asking for help and a place to stay. The rain was coming down really hard and the temp. was dropping fast. He had a story about how he was down and out and had no money. Hitch hiking back to his home in Illinois after taking care of his sick mom in Florida. It did cross my mind that this man might be running a scam but I did not care. If he was asking then I would try to help. I tried to call all the churches around town to see if any could help but could not get in touch with any being late Friday. I told him to get in my truck so I could take him to the local motel. After I put him in the motel I gave him $40.00 so he could find some thing to eat. I did this with a more happier heart because of everyone on this thread. I think I helped this person better because of reading this thread. Thank you everyone for this lesson.

Magicman · « **Reply #36 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:21:53 pm »

You helped him, but it was your heart that was warmed.

Taylortractornut · « **Reply #37 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:53:45 pm »

I was told a story by the man that runs the compactor for me at work. THis man that farmed and ran a tow service at night lived in Red Bay Alabama. THey had a McDonalds there and was a couple in there late one night. The tow truck owner stopped in to get an ice cream and a lady waled in ahead of him. She was aproached by the couple asking why she chose that restaurant and to answer a few questions. She wa rude to them and said she didnt have time. They asked the driver and he told them the tory of he was out doing a late night tow and wanted an ice cream. Upon answering the last of the questions The couple told him they were from the headquarters and for his time they awarded him 150 000 dollars. That woman that was rude went ape.

Every fall and summer I take alot of the veggies we grow on the truck patches to older folks and sit an talk a while. I learn alot and they really appreciate it. I carried an old man a load of turnips the other day. He wasnt there and I left 4 five gallon buckets of turnips on his porch. Today his son shows up with a truck load of chicken manure for the garden.

Amy got a few hundred dollars from her job at Christmas as a new employee. She stopes by the animal shelter in the town where she works and donated 100 of it for that animals. Her mom and dad and brother just pitched a fit about it.

CHARLIE · « **Reply #38 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:33:05 pm »

Bogue Chitto, most likely you'll never know but you could have changed a man's life or how he thought about life and how he treated people he came into contact with. You can't put a value on that.

Taylortractornut, sharing your bounty with others really warms peoples hearts and makes them believe that there is good in people. Sitting and listening to their stories is more than worth the time. You'd be surprised at what these people have done and where they've been in their lifetime. What you wife did was generous and from her heart. People with cold hearts will never understand that the good feeling of giving is worth far more than what was given. I think back at the bible story of the 5 Talents and the man that got 1 talent and buried it. Such are those that don't reach out.

Busy Beaver Lumber · « **Reply #39 on:** February 14, 2012, 07:40:06 pm »

Used to go metal detecting with an great old fellow that was pushing 80 years old at the time, and unfortunately is now deceased. His son always liked it when I picked up his dad and took him with me because he always feared for dads safety if he went out in remote areas by himself. His son used to tell me that his dad would get all excited when he knew I was coming to take him metal detecting and would get up hours ahead of time to make sure he was ready to go, then would sit in his chair by the front window and look for me to arrive in my car. Despite his age, he would almost run from the front door to the passenger side of the car, metal detector and lunch bag in hand.

I enjoyed every minute of time with him and attentively listened to all the stories and knowledge he had about the history of Fort Wayne Indiana. Not only could he identify any odd item you might find, he could tell you why it was there based on who he knew had occupied that area in years past and what they did for a living. I never ceased to be amazed by him and enjoyed every second I got to spend with him. He is truly missed.

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Author Topic: The Little Things in Life (Read 1099 times)