Fortunate Times

We had another great visit by her parents, they witnessed our Halloween "heckticness", followed by lots of meals and playing cards as usual. Last fall during a visit by our parents, I had Ole (Sheila's dad/and an awesome father-in-law) helped me out with a self-portrait that I have been wanting for a while.

Fall is probably the best time of year for outdoor photos, so much diversity to work with in the colors and settings. Like the photo below of Sheila's bestfriends daughter Melanie which we will be seeing in a few hours for our southern Thanksgiving tradition, but more on that soon.It's too bad that the peak of the fall season only lasts for two weeks, while winter seems to last a bit longer. Not complaining!!!! Considering it has been in the 70's the last three days.



Well, its time to sit down and enjoy another Packer football game. We have been very fortunate this year to catch many of their games, I think we have missed two, may just have something to do with their record!



Denise makes some dumplings for herself after a twelve hour day at her resterant on Thanksgiving Day.

Then I am heading to a restaurant to work. A local lady opens up her restaurant, the Dinner Bell, for a free Thanksgiving meal only asking for a donation for the less-fortunate if one is able to. One might think only 145 people might show up for this since it is on a holiday, and us lazy americans can't be bothered on a holiday. But to one's surprise, people show up for it... show up and wait in lines.... show up to the tune of over a thousand people last year and who knows how many this year. I like the diversity of the rowd that shows up for this event.Several people that we know of through our work with the public are in that category of less-fortunate.

Now lets analyze that for a second.....LESS FORTUNATE! That means that there are some of us that are More fortunate. I ceratinly fall in that category. My meandering path through life certainly has had a few small challenges, but FORTUNATELY somehow I have always managed to have a roof over my head, food in my belly (even to the point of excess on a day like today) and good health. I know it sounds trivial but sometimes you need to appreciate the basics, because for others the "basics" are the one thing they are hoping for. I am even more fortunate to have a great family, along with a great woman who has made the last thirteen years into a great investment. Our marriage is like a good investment, it has matured and become much more valuable and endearing with time.

I reflect on things like this as often as possible, it shouldn't be dictated by an obligatory date on a calendar. Like a few weeks ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year...... I sincerely hope you know what I am foreshadowing!

On that day, I get the great opportunity to wear two hats, kind of like Spiderman. I work as a photojournalist on days like that, but my heart is in it for the Veteran's. I am fortunate enough only to have to try and imagine some of the stories that those brave men tell on days like Veteran's Day. I get to attend memorials, and events through out the year in regards to the Military. I have even been to holiday ceremonies, a Units return from the middle east, and a few soldiers untimely and unfortunate return from battle, for their funerals. As I get have gotten ( a tiny bit) old..er, I have come to realize how fortunate I was during my enlistment to not gain the experiences to have my own stories to tell. I certainly didn't feel that way when I was 20 and wondering why I hadn't been picked to go over, despite trying to, but then again I was 20 and was still wet behind the ears.

On the evening of Veteran's Day, the Golden Corral, a nation-wide chain of resteraunts gives a free buffet dinner to any current or former military member, and have done so since 2001. This is the second year I have gone, and this one taught me an unexpected lesson. I like going, even though its the only buffet that I have ever been to where there is a half hour line to get in the place. Seeing all the old vets is a real treat, the WWII guys who are fiesty and proud, to the Korea and Viet Nam vets who can finally raise their chins a bit more and be proud of their service and dedication to our country, despite the avoidance of such by our last two presidents. Yes I said last two, read into that what you will.

All of these men and women of varied ages sitting together, even chatting like acquaintances. Which gets me to my unexpected lesson. The restaurant is so filled to capacity for this event that they employ seating like I have heard about in europe, which makes it ironic also. A table of four may be filled with two couples who don't know each other. Across from our table a seemingly well to do white family of three was sitting with what I can only guess to be a less-fortunate Vietnam Vet that was black. This alone is note-worthy for the south, but also proof in how things can and should be. Sheila and I sat with a man that was in his mid to late fourties. Alone.... He seemed a bit uneasy, a bit off. OK I will say it , I along with Sheila thought that he was mentally challenged or something. In a setting with many vets thats not uncommon and a tragic story all of itself. I just chalked it up to having served and endured seeing or experiencing things that some liberals would call torture.

I know of a guy from other media outlet, who I work along side of, that was in the Gulf then followed that with a long tour as a sniper in Bosnia. He's a nice guy, but admits to still having occassional nightmares over a decade later.His serious 100 yard stare tells all that I need to know. So as I stated its easy to assume, which is the lesson I learned. Yes I know the acronym.... Being a bit more chatty with people, since I have to in doing my job. I struck up a conversation about basic things. Keep it easy. We all enjoyed our meals. I would just look around at the mass of humanity trying to cram into this place, while loading a piece of steak onto my plate. The staff is really upbeat and caring, even though its probably their toughest day of the year. They get it... Upon finishing up his meal, the stranger who's name has now been forgotten, apologized for not being more talkative, apologized for not being personable. Then explained that he recently lost his wife to cancer, and he wasn't really "here". He states "I am just not used to not having her by myside, I just don't know what to do"

Need less to say the words hit like a hammer, and I immediately feel like a fool for my thoughts. I shrug off his apologies with " I am sorry to hear that" and " It was good talking to you." We exchanged good-byes and he left. Both Sheila and I were brought back to reality by our assumptions, yet apprecative for the company and the lessons learned.