Tag Archives: inspiration

Friday Morning Ramblings – Thankful #12

November 12, 2010 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

I’m thankful for the teachers who shaped me into the person I am today. The impact these people had on my life cannot be overstated. Ms. Whimer (it’s been 30 years so I may have misspelled that) was my third grade teacher who pushed me to challenge myself. She was a wonderful teacher with a lot of patience and concern for our well-being. Mrs. Fontana, may she rest in peace, taught me in fourth and fifth grades. She more than anyone instilled in me a love of reading, and she as much as anyone is why I became a writer. The world is a worse place without her in it, and a full generation of students missed out on a wonderful teacher because she left us way too soon.

Mr. Thiessan was my Industrial Arts teacher in both seventh and eighth grades, and the best teacher I’ve ever encountered on any level. I owe that man more than I can express because he saw potential in me that no one else at that point in my life noticed. My family went through some very hard times during those two years, and without his guidance, commitment to standards, passion for knowledge, and dedication to his job, I might have fallen through the cracks. He sparked my creativity and allowed me to flourish on my own. I am certain that without him, I would not have the skills I have today.

Mrs. LaFever was both my freshman and senior English teacher. She was tough, demanding, overbearing, critical, sometimes mean, sometimes snide, but always passionate. She held us to the highest of standards and accepted nothing less than our best. I learned more about the English language from her than anyone else and am grateful for her unwavering commitment.

Dr. Armstrong and Ms. Kell were my biggest influences at WSCC. They pushed me to broaden my thinking and express my thoughts clearly. They pushed me out of the nest and forced me to spread my wings. Without them, I wouldn’t have discovered my voice.

I had several excellent teachers at the University of Memphis, and I don’t want to leave any one individual out. As an undergraduate, I learned who I was and just how much I could accomplish. I grew and flourished more during those years than just about any other time in my life, and I am grateful to those educators for pushing me so hard and demanding so much from me.

Education is the skill of drawing out of individuals what they are capable of doing, and I am thankful that my life was touched so deeply by so many outstanding teachers. Too often, educators are not given thanks for their service to our country, so to all of the professional educators who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of others, thank you for all you’ve done for us.

General Posts, Humor, Ramblings of Thanks

Veterans’ Day Ramblings – Thankful #11

November 11, 2010 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

I’m thankful for one veteran in particular. This person impacted at least two generations of Americans and embodies all that is great about our nation. This marine served proudly and with distinction for five years, and while that may not sound like a long enlistment to some, his contribution still resounds across our culture from the Chesapeake Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge.

That marine of course is Gomer Pyle, USMC.

Yes, Gomer has brought the reality of veterans everywhere into our living rooms for forty-five years, and without him, our great nation wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you, Gomer, and Sgt. Carter and Duke Slater for keeping us safe. We appreciate and honor your service to this nation.

And before the hate mail starts pouring in, of course, I’m only joking. To all of my friends and relatives who have served in our armed forces, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to write my silly blog and enjoy my day-to-day life. I respect you all and your service. Thank you.

Also, happy Armistice Day. Let’s not forget the foundation of our current Veterans’ Day, which was the armistice to end WW I.

General Posts, Ramblings of Thanks

Wednesday Morning Ramblings – Thankful #10

November 10, 2010 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

I’m thankful for the opportunity to have played organized football as a young man. Most former players would probably agree that there’s no greater sense of being alive than on the field in a game. All of your senses are heightened, and on every single play, your physical abilities are tested against someone else’s. There’s no way to explain it to non-players. Like many of the greatest things in life, like becoming a parent for the first time, this experience is ineffable. Unless you played, you simply can’t understand just how much fun it was.

Yes, it took a physical toll on my body. My right knee is held together by scar tissue and wishes; my left shoulder has some nerve damage; from nowhere, my body sometimes reminds me of an old injury I had forgotten about. But I wouldn’t trade the memories, experiences, and lessons earned on the field for a pristine body with no aches. These physical ailments are just part of the price for wisdom and strength, and I gained both of these from having played the game for eight years.

At least once a week, I dream about being back on the field. Usually, I’m at practice, preparing for an upcoming game. Sometimes, I’m in the middle of an important game. Regardless, I always wake with a yearning to be a teenager again, back out on the field with my chinstrap buckled tight and my teeth clamped down on my mouthpiece. I lay awake for a few moments, savoring the dream, reliving the hits I got to dish out on ball carriers and quarterbacks. There’s always a mix of joy and sadness after I awaken from this dream. Happiness that I got to experience it. Sadness that those days are gone forever.

I’m thankful for my experiences as a football player, for my coaches, for my teammates. I loved being part of the game as I’ve never loved any other experience, and I will cherish my memories for as long as I draw breath.