The Heritage of a man

NewHemi · 07-16-2012, 10:51 AM

Been a little sad lately, missing many people in my life who are now gone.

Just remembered that my step father, who is the only person who loved my mother as much as I did, and showed my how to respect and love a woman. But he also gave me another common sense lesson.

I was in computers since 1967, and in the early 70's had just taken a job in Washington DC with a new computer company.

As a treat for myself, I had been a gadget kind of a guy, I bought one the then state of the art digital LED watches. It had a blank black face until you hit the button, and then it lit up bright red leds to tell the time and more.

On a trip home, I was showing off the watch on my left hand to my "dad". See I said, this button, and i reached over with my right hand and pressed it, tells the time in New York, and if I press it again, it shows the time in California. And this button sets the alarm.... And this one.... and my hands were flying as I pushed button after button. And then I sat back and smiled.

And he said, son. There is something definitely wrong, when you call it progress when it now takes two hands to tell time. He said this as he glanced down at his analog watch and casually observed the time.

Wham. I got it. Just because it is new, or high tech, doesn't automatically mean that it is better.

And when he passed away, I gave the eulogy at his funeral. The church was packed and overflowing with friends. I pondered what I knew of his life and I simply said this:

He was a good man.

He treated strangers like friends, friends like family, and family like royalty.

Yes, he was a good man.

------------

Thanks for letting me share these memories.

God Bless

David
The New Hemi Guy

Jim Wahl · 07-16-2012, 11:47 AM

What a wonderful story and a lesson learned David. Thanks so much. Jim

.

07-16-2012, 10:51 AM	#1
NewHemi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 472 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	The Heritage of a man Been a little sad lately, missing many people in my life who are now gone. Just remembered that my step father, who is the only person who loved my mother as much as I did, and showed my how to respect and love a woman. But he also gave me another common sense lesson. I was in computers since 1967, and in the early 70's had just taken a job in Washington DC with a new computer company. As a treat for myself, I had been a gadget kind of a guy, I bought one the then state of the art digital LED watches. It had a blank black face until you hit the button, and then it lit up bright red leds to tell the time and more. On a trip home, I was showing off the watch on my left hand to my "dad". See I said, this button, and i reached over with my right hand and pressed it, tells the time in New York, and if I press it again, it shows the time in California. And this button sets the alarm.... And this one.... and my hands were flying as I pushed button after button. And then I sat back and smiled. And he said, son. There is something definitely wrong, when you call it progress when it now takes two hands to tell time. He said this as he glanced down at his analog watch and casually observed the time. Wham. I got it. Just because it is new, or high tech, doesn't automatically mean that it is better. And when he passed away, I gave the eulogy at his funeral. The church was packed and overflowing with friends. I pondered what I knew of his life and I simply said this: He was a good man. He treated strangers like friends, friends like family, and family like royalty. Yes, he was a good man. ------------ Thanks for letting me share these memories. God Bless David The New Hemi Guy Last edited by NewHemi; 07-16-2012 at 10:54 AM.

07-16-2012, 11:47 AM	#2
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,842 Likes: 631 Liked 674 Times in 122 Posts	Re: The Heritage of a man What a wonderful story and a lesson learned David. Thanks so much. Jim . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.