Sunday, August 25, 2013

Good-bye, Stan

I have occasionally dealt with the ultimate transition on this blog.  Most recently, I wrote of the emotions I felt upon visiting Ground Zero this past summer.  A friend not much older than me was killed in an accident a couple of days ago, and it has given me pause in my hectic but healthy and accident-free world.

Stan Klock was a single man who sang in the Southern California Mormon Choir.  He lived a solitary but fairly fulfilling life in the Long Beach area.  I know that he lived quite modestly and also know that his wants and needs were likewise modest.  He tried to take the train whenever he could, and mostly relied on others to take him to SCMC performances.  I did so on a couple of occasions.  He accepted what his life was and never complained.

I also gave him a ride a couple of times to performances in Santa Clarita of the The Master's College Christmas Program which we attended along with a few others from the SCMC.  It was during these rides that I really got to know Stan, and appreciated his goodness.

He always tried to be upbeat.  He always made a big deal out of seeing me at Choir, especially recently when I have not been able to attend consistently.  He never spoke poorly of anyone but really tried to build them up.  Stan always attempted to build me up, telling me what a good singer I was, how I seemed to have my life together, how wise he thought I was, how great I was for helping him.  Stan seemed to humble himself in my presence, which at times I must admit made me feel a little uncomfortable.  

In the future, when I think about Stan, I will picture his interesting face and graying hair.  I will think of standing next to him or near him as we sang together in the bass section.  I will remember his kindness toward me and his desire to be a friend and to connect with me.  Our trips to the concerts in Santa Clarita will stay in my memory.  I will not forget his gentle way, for he indeed was a gentle man.  

I feel a loss and I am sad.  The world is a little bit worse off because he is no longer here.  But I have deep faith that he will find great contentment and joy on the other side.  Thanks for being my friend, Stan.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

My Boys!

A great thing happened today!  My two boys were in my house at the same time, smiling, joking, being--you know, brothers!  Considering their history, this was indeed a momentous occasion.  They got together a few days ago, but this was in my home with my wife.  I was all smiles.
Robert (BJ) and Douglas
Specialist Douglas Davis, on leave from his Army duties for about 12 days before heading off to his posting in Hawaii, sought to spend time with his older brother.  Robert Davis (BJ), away from the Beacon House, his rehab facility, and with sobriety approaching 3 1/2 years, sought to spend time with his younger brother.

Both are nearly the same height (BJ is just a tiny bit taller), both have short hair, both are good looking (in my opinion), and both are grateful for the relationship they now have with one another.  They both cooked a delicious Sunday dinner for my wife and me.

What different and amazing journeys these boys are on.  BJ is on his path to becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Rehab Counselor and may yet graduate from college.  Douglas graduated from Cal State Long Beach and may or may not make the Army his career; much depends on what happens in the next few months. Neither has any idea what their situations will be in say five years from now.  BJ will be 35 and Doug 32. I think that's okay with both of them, though.  

What is known is that they will always be my boys.  I am extremely proud of them for the men that they are now, and the men they are becoming.  I am grateful for them, and pray that I may see them for many more years to come.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

My Combat Medic Son

As a parent of four children (now all adults), I think about their “launchings.”  Rebecca, while divorced, is a loving mother to my oldest grandchild, Isaac.  I’m pleased that he is living with her and that she has a gig as a permanent substitute secondary teacher in Washington.  Emily is entrenched in her role as wife and mother to four of my grandchildren in New Jersey, and is married to my wonderful son-in-law, Adam.  Robert (BJ) is at the end of the second semester of a three semester program to become a licensed Alcohol and Drug Rehab Counselor, and his employment future, while not perfectly clear at this point, looks bright. 

Douglas, my youngest, graduated from California State, Long Beach with a BS in Psychology, but could not find permanent, full-time work in his field.  Frustrated at his prospects, he decided to leave his son, Daniel, with his mother Jeannine, and joined the US Army.  Because of his degree and due to a high score on a national test, he was able to choose which field in which to serve within the spectrum of the Army, and chose to become a Combat Medic.

He completed a nine-week basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then was transferred to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas for a 16-week training.  At Fort Sam, he learned many skills and along the way became certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician.)  

Toward the end of his time there, he was given a 36-month posting in Hawaii—Schofield Barracks.  Near the end of the marathon, the medics were required to spend a two-week period at a multi-service testing facility called Camp Bollis.  There they were given opportunities to practice what they had learned in battle-like circumstances, with some soldiers “doing to” and some being “done to.”  He talked about it as being a very intense experience, including a possible battle circumstance of going 40 hours without sleep.  It was very challenging for him because he was far from being 100% physically.
When I arrived 60 hours ago to be present at his graduation, I was surprised at how thin he looked.  He reported that he weighs about 170, which is pretty slender for a 6’1 to 6’2” fellow.  He was in a battle fatigues (he gave them an acronym that I can’t remember; everything in the military has an acronym!) He was all about medical terminology and skeletal and muscle identification.   Due to an unfortunate physical incident that occurred during his time there, I learned that he is not operating even close to full capacity.  In spite of that event, he eventually was able to do the soldier minimum necessary to graduate, of 40 push-ups and 60 sit-ups—in a two minute period, and a two-mile run in no more than 15 minutes, all with a broken body.

This morning I attended his graduation.  It was really amazing to see (and hear) 305 soldiers receive their diplomas, dressed in their white shirts and blue pants and smart-looking berets.  (Hoo-ahh!!!)  Listening to the Star Spangled Banner, always an emotional experience, was a particularly emotional experience for me, given these circumstances.  I enjoyed listening to the “hoo-ahhs” during the talks given by leadership (the "hoo-ahh" was a forceful, testosterone-laden sound!) I also enjoyed listening to the Army Song and the Army Creed sung and voiced by Doug and the others.  It was thrilling to hear them march back to their barracks singing and shouting in cadence.


I am very proud of Specialist Davis, Douglas.  (I learned that he is a "Specialist"-- almost a Corporal and not a Private First Class, because he is a college graduate.)  He did something really difficult under difficult circumstances.  I appears that he is launching--a very good thing!  I hope that as he departs for his posting in Hawaii, he will find further clarity as to exactly what the next few years might contain.  His main motivation is to be near his son Daniel as best he can, and wants to make decisions in the foreseeable future that will facilitate that desire.  A gigantic “hoo-ahh” for you, Doug!