[docthehun]

We come from a vast array of backgrounds and experiences. I've written a fair amount about my dad and what an unbelievable teacher he is. He'll be 90next month and just returned from his cold weather sabatical in Florida. He walks four or five miles a day and is a long term survivor of both prostrate and colon cancers. He dropped out of school in 10th grade and ended up being a top notch tool and die maker, working in about every machine shop in Dayton. As a kid, I can remember him always **********ing about the way management treated the employees. That would forever shape how he treated his employees once he had his own business.

That was in 1958 and the place is still going strong. But in 1958 we truly were dirt poor, living in Lima. "Charlie" was working for Mel's Battery for a pittance, with a wife and four little kids. I was the oldest and a first grader. We had a coal furnance, holes in the plaster, no TV. We did have a radio. I was a scrawny little ******** and had skipped kindergarten. That's a story in itself.

If there's two things I have a lot of faith in, it's "The Big Guy" upstairs and "Guardian Angels". I now refer to our single year In Lima as "The Year From Hell". One of the greatest gifts bestowed upon me, is an unbelievable recollection of events from the time I was about three. I'm killer with names for example. The down side, is that a remember the sad events with that same level of detail. My younger sister's murder in 1978 is still like it happened yesterday. From our year in Lima, I recall in detail my dad's younger brother, a priest and my aunt Francie driving from Dayton to see us. They brought food. My uncle took me aside and chided me for sometimes being picky about what I ate, or did not. It was my first lecture about poverty. To this day, I always, "clean my plate".

From Lima, we moved to Piqua without a nickle to our name. My dad borrowed $500 from my grandma. She wasn't happy about it. "Nobody can make a living just selling batteries!" Fortunately, my dad had a better business mind. About two years after he got started my mom sent me downtown to G.C. Murphy with $5 and a list of office supplies. I got like a buck and a half of change. In those days as kids, we played "war" often. Cowboy six shooters were popular, but in a pinch, even a board could be used as a rifle.

In that G.C. Murphy store was a "working" machine gun just like Vic Morrow carried in "Combat". Very cool! Pull the trigger and it sounded like the real thing. It was 99 cents and almost a sure bet to get me to the rank of "Captain" in the nighborhood battlefield. When I got home and gave her the remaining change she said, "Your dad's not going to be very happy." This of course wouldn't be the last time she made such a statement.

She was right. He wasn't! In addition to a stern lecture and "paddling" (Not the first or last of those either!) I got assigned the task of "white washing" the basement walls. As a fourth grader, it was like being assigned the "Cistine Chapel". No after school play time until it got done. Period, end of story. There was no debate with my dad (there still isn't :)).

But that's how I learned the value of "One Dollar" and I'm still that way today.

Hope I didn't bore anyone! :)

[Lancer '65]

A very inspirational recollection, doc. Thanks for taking the time to tell all of us your story. Parents like yours are unfortunately, a disappearing commodity in this modern era of "benign neglect" that seems to be taking over for real parenting. You are among the very lucky kids who have parents that teach real lessons that will serve you (and have served you) well over your lifetime.

[o.a.b.]

Boring ? That's an intriguing tale.Your dad was a true man and what has made a great country.

[NapRover]

Very humbling, Doc and I'm sure that wasn't your objective.

I read recently that 60% of baby boomers have a life savings of <$25k. They must all intend to work until they're unable to. Or they'll go on some sort of government assistance and live out their days hoping for more-and voting for those who accommodate them.

Funny how an anonymous message board can have the effect that this one has had on me. I read your story and others (I recall reading another's post revealing his family member succumbed to drugs) and I came to the conclusion that people have enough pain in their lives and really don't need me to heap more on them.

[DGUtley]

Amen, Nap. Thank you for sharing, Doc.

[docthehun]

Originally Posted by DGUtley

Amen, Nap. Thank you for sharing, Doc.

No, once again, "Thank You" for reading. :)

[docthehun]

Originally Posted by NapRover

Very humbling, Doc and I'm sure that wasn't your objective.

I read recently that 60% of baby boomers have a life savings of <$25k. They must all intend to work until they're unable to. Or they'll go on some sort of government assistance and live out their days hoping for more-and voting for those who accommodate them.

Funny how an anonymous message board can have the effect that this one has had on me. I read your story and others (I recall reading another's post revealing his family member succumbed to drugs) and I came to the conclusion that people have enough pain in their lives and really don't need me to heap more on them.

Neat post Nap! Your last sentence is why I don't pile on Bethere and why I don't kick anyone, especially when they're down.

[sleeper]

A dollar back then was probably worth $1,000 now.

[NapRover]

Originally Posted by sleeper

A dollar back then was probably worth $1,000 now.

well you could buy 20 packs of baseball cards back in '58, I remember that!

[bethere]

Originally Posted by NapRover

well you could buy 20 packs of baseball cards back in '58, I remember that!

or ten comic books!!

[dorciepatrick]

Originally Posted by NapRover

well you could buy 20 packs of baseball cards back in '58, I remember that!

Yeah, but the bubble gum in them was AWWFFULL!!!! After about 40 seconds, it was like chewing rubber.

[dorciepatrick]

Originally Posted by NapRover

Very humbling, Doc and I'm sure that wasn't your objective.

I read recently that 60% of baby boomers have a life savings of <$25k. They must all intend to work until they're unable to. Or they'll go on some sort of government assistance and live out their days hoping for more-and voting for those who accommodate them.

Funny how an anonymous message board can have the effect that this one has had on me. I read your story and others (I recall reading another's post revealing his family member succumbed to drugs) and I came to the conclusion that people have enough pain in their lives and really don't need me to heap more on them.

We all come to our points of view -- political and otherwise -- based upon our own unique life experiences. We are all pretty intelligent people trying to do the best we can for us and our families.
Just because we disagree should not make us enemies. There are way too many on this forum that can only see things one way -- THEIR WAY. They refuse to allow for the fact that others might have some merit in their viewpoints.
Our society as a whole reflects this. I don't know what the solution is, but I do know that if we don't solve the problem we will continue to slide down the path that we are on to becoming a nation whose citizens have a less-enjoyable life than those who came before us.
Thanks, NapRover and docthehun for your thoughtful posts.

[19AL63]

Not wanting to predict doom and gloom. With all our great knowledge and advancements, we do not seem to be able to run our great nation without putting it in great peril of falling completely apart. I stated my life without TV ( my family got one when I was five) , so I have had the privilege of seeing great advancement in science and technology With all this I do not see the children of today have the standard of living we have been blessed with. Glad I am getting old and might not be around to see the great fall.

[QuakerOats]

Great post Doc! Will be sharing it, if ok with you.

[19AL63]

Does anyone remember the 3 Musketeers candy bar when it had three flavors? 1/3 vanilla, 1/3 chocolate and 1/3 strawberry all for a nickle and was advertised "Big enough to share with a friend". The strawberry flavor was made with real strawberries and when it became to expensive, Mars switched and made the candy all chocolate.

[docthehun]

Originally Posted by QuakerOats

Great post Doc! Will be sharing it, if ok with you.

I'd be honored. Thank you!

[wisdome]

Originally Posted by dorciepatrick

We all come to our points of view -- political and otherwise -- based upon our own unique life experiences. We are all pretty intelligent people trying to do the best we can for us and our families.
Just because we disagree should not make us enemies. There are way too many on this forum that can only see things one way -- THEIR WAY. They refuse to allow for the fact that others might have some merit in their viewpoints.
Our society as a whole reflects this. I don't know what the solution is, but I do know that if we don't solve the problem we will continue to slide down the path that we are on to becoming a nation whose citizens have a less-enjoyable life than those who came before us.
Thanks, NapRover and docthehun for your thoughtful posts.

Dorcie...very well stated! I just go back and remember what happened to the Jews and the political events that transpired for it to happen. We may not end up the same way...but the things that are going on many are similar in nature!

[dorciepatrick]

Thanks, wisdome. I must add that -- after re-reading my post -- I'm afraid that I came across as somewhat preachy. I didn't mean to, because I include myself in the group that I was criticizing.

Instead of thinking the worst of those with whom we disagree, we need to see each other as loyal Americans who simply have different ideas on how to make our country better. We've gotten away from that.

[bethere]

Originally Posted by wisdome

Dorcie...very well stated! I just go back and remember what happened to the Jews and the political events that transpired for it to happen. We may not end up the same way...but the things that are going on many are similar in nature!

only if obama is re elected will minorities like the jews get treated as if they were actually equal partners in this country. we are really tired of rich bigoted white old guys making 100% of the decisions in america. and we are REALLY tired of hearing how virtuous they are and how lazy we are.

your personal ignorance is a threat to our freedom, cero.

[wisdome]

Originally Posted by bethere

only if obama is re elected will minorities like the jews get treated as if they were actually equal partners in this country. we are really tired of rich bigoted white old guys making 100% of the decisions in america. and we are REALLY tired of hearing how virtuous they are and how lazy we are.

your personal ignorance is a threat to our freedom, cero.

So who should make the decisions in this country? If it is not the bigot white old guys should it be the hispanics, japanese, who??? As I think about it, the senate that is controlled by the Demos and who make decisions are 100% white old guys that are bigots? Also the house that is controlled by the Repos are also 100% white old guys that are bigots? So who DOES that leave us with? YOUR HERO!!!!

My ignorance is not a threat. Is your fanatical views and unwillignes to recognize that we have a goverment that continues to tell us what to do and where our money should go. Please remember that Hitler was elected by around 10% of its voting population. 65% were christians and looked what happened.

Change we can believe in!