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- Story Listed as: True Life For Teens
- Theme: Drama / Human Interest
- Subject: Life Experience
- Published: 02/03/2017
Misguided from the beginning although loved for certain. The dirt roads and worn out crumbling houses line the streets with every other one abandoned or family's living in conditions that were less than ideal. The smell of burning trash or logs in old metal barrels while men gathered around to drink cheap whisky, beer and smoke marijuana. Households full of multiple generations led to tight knit family's and some what of an organizational approach to survival. I remember the days, particularly the winters as they were so cold, and the wind would be howling unbearably cold outside, and with the possibility of no electricity always looming I could see the stress on the old mans face. For he had a family to feed and a sporadic source of income which was controlled by mother nature. See this old man cared for his wife as he did their entire lives. he also still fed his grown son, daughter and son in law as well as took in 6 other children sometimes more who came from situations of dire circumstance. He always found a way, they always found a way, although sometimes illegal we found a way to eat. The commodity food lines were much longer this time of year, I assume due to the fact that all the crops had been harvested so most of the areas men would have to work odd jobs until it was time to plant again in the spring. Christmas would soon be upon us the small two bedroom house would be bursting at its seems with people sleeping on what seemed to be every walk able portion of the floor. We knew their would not be many presents under the tree but at least one for each of us. How the old man pulled these miracles off still amazes me . I always kept look for the church ladies who would go door to door this time of year delivering fruit baskets they would also give me candy canes as I greeted them so joyfully. The ice would build up so quickly outside, and before you knew it waking up from an afternoon nap the ground would be covered with fresh snow. Such as pristine and glorious look to an otherwise dreadful and depressing landscape. Soon New years would be here and such a joyous time it would be. For one of my greatest pleasures in this landfill of a town was fireworks . every evening after Christmas I would wait by the front door hoping to hear the rattling of that old work truck. As soon as it arrived I would rush out and he would simply say are you ready and I would replace the worn out adults and hop in the passenger seat to go to the fireworks stand. Somehow he always had just enough to make me happy just a dollar or two would make my day. Soon spring would arrive and so would the rain and the storms they would be so strong and terrifying that we would think for certain this small house would finally be ripped to shreds. The smells of spring would fill the air the fresh grass the leaves coming back on the trees the once dead and baron landscape now once again was full of life. The best part was the flooding rains as this caused creeks and ponds to over flow over the highways which lead to swarms of fish being stranded and open game to all those in these surrounding impoverished towns. Basically this met free food it was almost like a game whole family's would gather and park along the highway and attempt to catch fish by hand as the children played in the water. Simple stuff like this brought happiness and laughter to a community stricken with boredom. The summers seemed endless the old man would allow me to accompany him to work and travel all over the area sometimes 2 hours a way from home it always started off at a roadside diner where I would consume multiple coffee creamers and eat biscuits n gravy. Then it was off to work the smile on my face as me and my cousin accompanied him to secure jobs for the coming days was priceless we would stop along the way to throw rocks off of bridges we would load up on dr. Pepper and chips from gas stations and before heading home we would always grab a hamburger. Those were the days. During bigger jobs were secure we would even tag along and haul brush to the truck and earn about 5 dollars for a days work which would quickly be blown on baseball cards and soda and candy. the biggest job every year was at a massive golf course down in the hill country my family's original birthplace it was so beautiful and peaceful. We would stay in a hotel for a week eat pizza swim in a swimming pool and even use a shower that was really a life of luxury. The old man covered all the costs and made sure we had time to visit all family and friends in the area did a little fishing and would work our way back towards north Texas. This old man was more of a role model than my own father who undoubtedly suffered from mental illness as well as drug and alcohol addiction. Although not highly successful he made sure his family would survive. He was even able to help my mother purchase a small home right behind his house a two bedroom all for our selves. Things were going good although we spent less time together as I was consumed by video games and my summers now filled with baseball. He would still swing by and see if I would want to ride with him to the gas station which was about 10 miles away to grab a drink and some cards. Most times I would happily agree to go other days I would decline. One night he didn't ask me so I walked over during halftime of the NBA finals as the Houston rockets were in a clinching game against the Knicks full of excitement I wanted a ride to the coke machine. In that moment I realized this man who was always full of energy and seemed to always be ready to go suddenly seemed human and he declined saying he felt really sick and asked my uncle to bring me after handing me a dollar which he did. I was dropped off at home and proceeded to finish watching the finals celebrating as Houston went on to win. Soon there was a bang at the door which i thought was a celebratory visit. However when I opened the door with a smile I noticed the look of fear in my cousins face I knew something was wrong. She hollered for my dad to check on the old man for he was not moving then look on my mother's face and the sound of her voice still gives me chills to this day. My mother made me wait with her but after a few minutes I could not bare it any longer and ran across the yard to see my hero as this was impossible he must be just sleeping. As I ran through the open door I witnessed my father attempting CPR and his look of disappointment when he saw me staring at him. He knew what an impact this would have on me and he knew he tried his best but it wasn't good enough and that I would be broken. I stood there in a daze as I watched the ambulance arrive about 30 mins later as the void was already noticeable. I wish I would have said I am sorry for putting your truck in drive when you were closing a big deal when I was 4 I am also sorry for hitting a golf ball with a bat that ultimately hit you in the head and regretfully I am sorry for not telling you I loved and appreciated you before you left.
memories(Randall Martin) Misguided from the beginning although loved for certain. The dirt roads and worn out crumbling houses line the streets with every other one abandoned or family's living in conditions that were less than ideal. The smell of burning trash or logs in old metal barrels while men gathered around to drink cheap whisky, beer and smoke marijuana. Households full of multiple generations led to tight knit family's and some what of an organizational approach to survival. I remember the days, particularly the winters as they were so cold, and the wind would be howling unbearably cold outside, and with the possibility of no electricity always looming I could see the stress on the old mans face. For he had a family to feed and a sporadic source of income which was controlled by mother nature. See this old man cared for his wife as he did their entire lives. he also still fed his grown son, daughter and son in law as well as took in 6 other children sometimes more who came from situations of dire circumstance. He always found a way, they always found a way, although sometimes illegal we found a way to eat. The commodity food lines were much longer this time of year, I assume due to the fact that all the crops had been harvested so most of the areas men would have to work odd jobs until it was time to plant again in the spring. Christmas would soon be upon us the small two bedroom house would be bursting at its seems with people sleeping on what seemed to be every walk able portion of the floor. We knew their would not be many presents under the tree but at least one for each of us. How the old man pulled these miracles off still amazes me . I always kept look for the church ladies who would go door to door this time of year delivering fruit baskets they would also give me candy canes as I greeted them so joyfully. The ice would build up so quickly outside, and before you knew it waking up from an afternoon nap the ground would be covered with fresh snow. Such as pristine and glorious look to an otherwise dreadful and depressing landscape. Soon New years would be here and such a joyous time it would be. For one of my greatest pleasures in this landfill of a town was fireworks . every evening after Christmas I would wait by the front door hoping to hear the rattling of that old work truck. As soon as it arrived I would rush out and he would simply say are you ready and I would replace the worn out adults and hop in the passenger seat to go to the fireworks stand. Somehow he always had just enough to make me happy just a dollar or two would make my day. Soon spring would arrive and so would the rain and the storms they would be so strong and terrifying that we would think for certain this small house would finally be ripped to shreds. The smells of spring would fill the air the fresh grass the leaves coming back on the trees the once dead and baron landscape now once again was full of life. The best part was the flooding rains as this caused creeks and ponds to over flow over the highways which lead to swarms of fish being stranded and open game to all those in these surrounding impoverished towns. Basically this met free food it was almost like a game whole family's would gather and park along the highway and attempt to catch fish by hand as the children played in the water. Simple stuff like this brought happiness and laughter to a community stricken with boredom. The summers seemed endless the old man would allow me to accompany him to work and travel all over the area sometimes 2 hours a way from home it always started off at a roadside diner where I would consume multiple coffee creamers and eat biscuits n gravy. Then it was off to work the smile on my face as me and my cousin accompanied him to secure jobs for the coming days was priceless we would stop along the way to throw rocks off of bridges we would load up on dr. Pepper and chips from gas stations and before heading home we would always grab a hamburger. Those were the days. During bigger jobs were secure we would even tag along and haul brush to the truck and earn about 5 dollars for a days work which would quickly be blown on baseball cards and soda and candy. the biggest job every year was at a massive golf course down in the hill country my family's original birthplace it was so beautiful and peaceful. We would stay in a hotel for a week eat pizza swim in a swimming pool and even use a shower that was really a life of luxury. The old man covered all the costs and made sure we had time to visit all family and friends in the area did a little fishing and would work our way back towards north Texas. This old man was more of a role model than my own father who undoubtedly suffered from mental illness as well as drug and alcohol addiction. Although not highly successful he made sure his family would survive. He was even able to help my mother purchase a small home right behind his house a two bedroom all for our selves. Things were going good although we spent less time together as I was consumed by video games and my summers now filled with baseball. He would still swing by and see if I would want to ride with him to the gas station which was about 10 miles away to grab a drink and some cards. Most times I would happily agree to go other days I would decline. One night he didn't ask me so I walked over during halftime of the NBA finals as the Houston rockets were in a clinching game against the Knicks full of excitement I wanted a ride to the coke machine. In that moment I realized this man who was always full of energy and seemed to always be ready to go suddenly seemed human and he declined saying he felt really sick and asked my uncle to bring me after handing me a dollar which he did. I was dropped off at home and proceeded to finish watching the finals celebrating as Houston went on to win. Soon there was a bang at the door which i thought was a celebratory visit. However when I opened the door with a smile I noticed the look of fear in my cousins face I knew something was wrong. She hollered for my dad to check on the old man for he was not moving then look on my mother's face and the sound of her voice still gives me chills to this day. My mother made me wait with her but after a few minutes I could not bare it any longer and ran across the yard to see my hero as this was impossible he must be just sleeping. As I ran through the open door I witnessed my father attempting CPR and his look of disappointment when he saw me staring at him. He knew what an impact this would have on me and he knew he tried his best but it wasn't good enough and that I would be broken. I stood there in a daze as I watched the ambulance arrive about 30 mins later as the void was already noticeable. I wish I would have said I am sorry for putting your truck in drive when you were closing a big deal when I was 4 I am also sorry for hitting a golf ball with a bat that ultimately hit you in the head and regretfully I am sorry for not telling you I loved and appreciated you before you left.
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