Sept. 7, 2012 —
Dictionary.com defines “consequence” as the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.
A friend introduces you to a total stranger who eventually becomes your life’s companion.
A relative recommends a college you hadn’t considered but it proves to be a perfect fit that positively impacts your future.
You take “a job” temporarily, out of necessity, which leads you to “the job” and a successful career.
In one case, being expelled from a high school class opened the door to acquiring a basic skill that, in turn, led down a path that literally and permanently altered the path of that person’s life.
A cocky teenager, typically young and dumb at the same time, ends up in a class he didn’t like or want and being taught by someone he didn’t know.
It had to do with physical sciences and he didn’t want to spend that much time on homework.
He harassed the teacher in the first two weeks of the term, unaware at the time that she was struggling with personal problems.
Fed up with his attitude, she banned him from the class and sent him to study hall in the school library.
A day later, the school counselor informed him that he needed to pick up another class in order to stay on track to graduate.
That night, he confided in his dear mother, who suggested he try to get into a typewriting class, describing it as a lifelong skill.
He scoffed at the notion, saying he didn’t want to be anyone’s secretary. Besides, the school’s business teacher was new and he was not doing well in relationships with new teachers.
But his reputation had gotten around the teacher’s lounge and no one was willing to let him add their class, except that young business teacher who had one open chair in beginning typing.
Wise beyond her years, the business teacher said she would tolerate no foolishness. He believed her and responded accordingly.
Being able to type soon led to an assignment as the school’s unpaid correspondent for weekly and daily newspapers.
That experience led to journalism classes in college which, in turn, led to part-time and then full-time jobs as a reporter and editor.
Those jobs led to a career in public relations which eventually led back to a second stint in newspapering.
That last change provided the opportunity to tell the stories of his life in a weekly newspaper column.
I hope my typing teacher noticed there are no misspellings in these 425 words.
Friday's Post
Life can be a series of consequences
- Friday's Post
-
-
Vain as a peacock, cool as a cucumber
He was a bright, witty and dapper man who did his best to look as young as he could for as long as he could. His sense of humor and competitive spirit left indelible impressions on me. I know that he crammed all of the living he could into 76 years.
-
Flashbacks revive memories of a tragedy
I remember the day like it was yesterday – Dec. 15, 1967, a few minutes before 5 p.m. in Ironton, Ohio.
-
The greatest singer sang the greatest song
Within 10 minutes, four of my children called, emailed or texted me that morning to express condolences on what they knew would be a personal loss.
-
‘42’ more about fairness than baseball
One of the first major league baseball games I saw in person as a young boy was when my beloved Cincinnati Reds hosted the Brooklyn Dodgers at Crosley Field.
-
Fake sounds or not, ole Waite was the best
I was listening to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game on radio while driving home when I had a flashback in the 1950’s.
-
Great food way ahead of its time
The first time I saw one it reminded me of a deflated football or a toy boat by its shape but seeing it was not nearly as memorable as eating one.
-
‘Out of the mouths of babes’ comes humility
My most recent humbling experience started innocently enough with a phone call from my middle daughter, the mother of three.
-
Realities of life told in country music
We’ve been warned for years that some rock music, if played backward, would bring forth a dangerous, even devilish message. On the other hand, some folks say they believe that if you play a country song backward, you’ll likely get your job back, your doublewide trailer will be returned by the bank, your wife and/or girlfriend will come back with the kids, and the finance company will give you back your pickup truck, dog and all.
-
Try unwinding with a John Wayne movie
Some folks go for a walk to decompress after a tough day. Others listen to soft music. Still others fight stress with a quiet dinner. Not me! I reach for a John Wayne movie, sit back and relax.
-
At my house, Rodney’s gone but not forgotten
The late and very funny Rodney Dangerfield made lots of money telling the world that “I don’t get no respect” from the people in his life.
- More Friday's Post Headlines
-
Vain as a peacock, cool as a cucumber
