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A simple handwritten sign on the entry
door told a very sad story.
While I was out enjoying my daily walk
today, I happened by the doorway of the antique store. There was the hastily written
piece of paper taped to the window. It said, "Elizabeth's Attic will be closed from
December 21st until January 2nd due to a death in the family."
Obviously it is very sad to lose a
family member any time, but especially this close to the holiday season. As I continued
down the street I felt thankful not to be facing the same.
Not only had Elizabeth lost someone
very close to her, she also had to close her retail store during the most lucrative time
of the year. The emotional and financial blow must be devastating.
Apparently Elizabeth operates the store
by herself. There may not be an employee or trusted friend to keep the door open so the
cash register continues to jingle. Doubly sad.
After the first of the year
I want to buy something from Elizabeth's Attic.
Aortal
Link: Antiques America
Defensive driving pays off.
When crossing the Kanawha River on
I-64 from South Charleston, WV to Dunbar, the bridge makes a sweeping curve
from north to west. It is difficult to see around the corner.
Stopped traffic comes up awfully
fast on an interstate highway.
Even mashing the brake, it
takes quite a distance to get from 60 mph to a dead stop. I was one of the lucky ones.
Not a tail-gater by nature, I was able to get stopped with about 15 feet to spare.
Same with the fellow behind me.
Not so the cars, vans and
pickup trucks that made a Detroit accordian.
In this chain reaction that stretched
eight vehicles ahead of my own, I was the first in line not to ram the license plate
in front of me. After determining that no one involved was badly hurt, I moved on. The
town of Dunbar is likely to have an officer with writer's cramp and more in its treasury
tonight.
Seven citations for following too
closely add up in a hurry.
Aortal
Link: Defensive Driving Directory
The Olympic torch came through my city
today, as inspirational people from around the area carried on an ancient tradition.
Each torchbearer, chosen from more than 210,000 entries from all across the nation,
has to follow specific Olympic protocol for the event to preserve the symbolism and
uniformity.
Seven runners each carried the torch
about 300 yards through the downtown region of Charleston. Viet Nam veterans, athletes,
care workers ... the roster was full of inspiring stories. There was a big ceremony held
at the city's riverside park, including the lighting of a cauldron.
Did I get to see this historic event.
Nope. Instead I spent nearly the entire morning sitting in my dentist's chair ... prep
drilling and molding for two crowns. Delightful. While Rick Morgan was running with
his arm held high before a cheering crowd, I was spitting drilled amalgam into a
porcelain bowl.
Aortal
Link: 2002 Olympic Torch Relay Map
I can hear what you're thinking already.
Not another gratitude post Jeff. Tough noogies. Today is Monday, it's raining, so I'm
gonna sit here and annoy you with my thankfulness. So there.
While on the telephone with a very
astute individual today, I started thinking about turning points. You know, those
experiences that come around in life about every 10-20 years that really send us for
a loop, and then off in a new direction. I've had a few. Now, watch as I deftly
combine my thoughts about turning points with a gratitude list.
The first big life change for me
came when I was 12, just entering adolescence, one of the toughest periods of development
in anyone's life. Dad came home from work one day and said we were moving, and not down
the street. We were packing our dreams and aspirations in boxes and heading for the
bayous of southern Louisiana. I was devastated.
At the time, I wasn't the least bit
grateful. In fact, it took me nearly 30 years to get that whole episode out of my system.
And you know what? Moving is nothing when compared to what others have to deal with ...
like abuse, famine, or war. So just get over
yourself Jeff.
Another big turning point
in my life came when I reached bottom from alcoholism. A rehab treatment center and
thousands of meetings later, it has been a long time since I've had to take a drink.
So am I thankful for having to live half my life as a drunk? No, I'm grateful my
disease is only terminal if I don't treat it. I could be facing
much worse.
I'm in the midst of another turning
point now. I may find myself unemployed in six weeks, for the first time since I entered
the work force 30 years ago. It is likely I will have to move to find a similar job.
Uh-oh. There's that move word again, but I'm grateful I still can work. Many can't.
My 10 year marriage will be ending
very soon. But y'know, I am grateful I have a choice in the matter, unlike so many
unfortunates who had their spouses ripped
from them in a heartless instant.
Really, I don't have it so bad.
Turning points are usually good things ... at least they make us use our noggins for
something other than a hat tree. Many of my online friends
are facing far worse than I am this holiday season.
My gratitude list would be incomplete
without mentioning what y'all mean to me. Bless you. Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.
May you enjoy good health, happiness and family ... and my gift to you is this starting
point for web discoveries. You all have helped it grow.
Aortal
Link: Aortal
Supporters
Computer Operations Management:
where proven strengths in perception of requirements, observation of results, analysis
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Resumé — Jeffrey H. Clark
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