Turning Points
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
Life is a journey. It has a beginning and it has an end. All along its path are events, places
and people who are turning points. Here, I relate some of these turning points in my own
journey. Hopefully, the stories will illuminate and maybe entertain some of those who care
enough to read.
| Gut July 28, 2006 |
It’s unfortunate but natural that you remember more about syblings
closer to your own age. The younger ones tend to be a little disconnected
in memory. Sadly, my recall of a lot of incidents about John Howard is not
too good. Named after our uncle Howard, I do remember that he was a
good kid and never got into trouble.
I noticed his hearty appetite as a kid and I ridiculed him with the moniker
of “Gut.” Happily, no one else adopted this and after awhile, it was
dropped. He was not overweight in the least and probably ate no more
than anyone else; I just needed to have a target for my insults.
John Howard’s keen intelligence was not well reflected in school grades
and that probably was the reason he didn't proceed on to college. But his
later success in business made clear his abilities and talents. He dated
a good looking young lady in his later teens and they both became avid
Elvis Presley fans. When they married they raised an outstanding family.
John Howard was careful in his duties as a father and husband. He
made sure that church on Sundays was not overlooked even if the family
was traveling. On several occasions when they happened to come
through Birmingham on an overnight stay, if it was on a weekend, they
took care to find a local church where they could attend services on
Sunday.
His interpersonal skills and gregarious manner made him stand out. No
one doubted his sincerity and friendliness. Never was he heard to
slander anyone.
Perhaps the greatest testimonial of John Howard’s qualities is the
closer to your own age. The younger ones tend to be a little disconnected
in memory. Sadly, my recall of a lot of incidents about John Howard is not
too good. Named after our uncle Howard, I do remember that he was a
good kid and never got into trouble.
I noticed his hearty appetite as a kid and I ridiculed him with the moniker
of “Gut.” Happily, no one else adopted this and after awhile, it was
dropped. He was not overweight in the least and probably ate no more
than anyone else; I just needed to have a target for my insults.
John Howard’s keen intelligence was not well reflected in school grades
and that probably was the reason he didn't proceed on to college. But his
later success in business made clear his abilities and talents. He dated
a good looking young lady in his later teens and they both became avid
Elvis Presley fans. When they married they raised an outstanding family.
John Howard was careful in his duties as a father and husband. He
made sure that church on Sundays was not overlooked even if the family
was traveling. On several occasions when they happened to come
through Birmingham on an overnight stay, if it was on a weekend, they
took care to find a local church where they could attend services on
Sunday.
His interpersonal skills and gregarious manner made him stand out. No
one doubted his sincerity and friendliness. Never was he heard to
slander anyone.
Perhaps the greatest testimonial of John Howard’s qualities is the
degree of grief felt by all, especially his wife Rosie and their children Mike, Tammy and Danny when
he died at the untimely age of 58. He has surely been missed.
he died at the untimely age of 58. He has surely been missed.
___________________________________________________
| And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV) |
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