Lookin' back

[solo1]

The other day I was thinkin' about my life and what I did and didn't do.

I was a goof off in high school.  I got by but didn't put enough effort into it.  After graduating I worked at various jobs, production line at International Harvester, machine shop, warehouse handler, bike repairman, and general goof off.

And then I was drafted. The Army set me straight. Responsibility became important to myself and for others.

Discharged from the Army, helped the wife raise a good family, and finally ended up retiring as an associate environmental test engineer.

I ran for councilman and managed to get elected for four terms over my opponents and spent only about 50 bucks for campaign money each time that I ran.. I was responsible for getting over a million bucks in street improvements in my district. I did a lot of door to door walking, talking, and listening, all this for less than 5 grand a year. I learned how government should work and it was a great learning experience.  I was appointed to the Board of Works and Safety by two different mayors and still serve after over 25 years , all this since I retired.  In the process I was awarded the Sagamore of The Wabash, the highest civilian award given by the governor.

Capping that, the mayor declared my 90th birthday Wayne Doenges Day.

Yep, I'm doing some braggin' here. All done with not quite a two year degree from Purdue. LOL.

Today, my only regret is that I wished that I could've ridden a bike a little longer. To more than balance that regret, I am proud that I served as a politician in my small city. I'm proud that I have a good family and look back on a good life even though I only had my wife for 46 years before she passed.

Why am I posting this? Hell, I don't know.  Kinda doing this to remember that my "Attaboys" generally outnumbered my "Dumb sh**,s"

Wayne, solo1

[RainMaker]

Remember, it takes 1000 Attaboys to wipe out one "aw, crap". 

My balance sheet is definitely tilted in the latter direction.

[DDT (12)]

Wayne,

Taking stock of one's life is a healthy thing, and it can give us cause to feel OK about ourselves... or not... In any event it can point out to us directions to either maintain, or that we should consider changing to improve our outcomes.

Most of us don't get around to that exercise early enough in life to have the maximum impact on our course. Later in life, it can serve as a way for us to evaluate ourselves and to see that our successes usually out-weigh our failures, and we can take comfort in that. I'd say you have cause to be quite satisfied with the path you've trod and the way you've conducted yourself... Congrats!

DDT

[DirtyDan]

Repost but appropriate

https://youtu.be/6vQpW9XRiyM

Dan

[solo1]

Although I served in Korea in 1953, I'm more into the WWII Era.  At 90 and no longer riding, I really don't fit in here very well anymore.  No ones fault in the VRCC.

THIS is my music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjq1aTLjrOE

[The emperor has no clothes]

At 90 and no longer riding, I really don't fit in here very well anymore.  No ones fault in the VRCC

Wayne, you have been saying this for years. ITS JUST PLAIN NOT TRUE ! You fit in just as well as any of the rest of us. Riding Valkyries is what brought us all together, but it surely isn’t what makes us a group. Please don’t take this the wrong way. But, it’s time to give up that “whoa is me attitude”. There are many here who have repeatedly told you that your presence is appreciated. Maybe it’s time you started listening.

[solo1]

Meathead, I've plenty of friends in other places too so I don't go "Whoa"

I just don't honestly believe that I can contribute anything here in the way of riding and I don't want to contribute politically .

I do enjoy reading the riding posts and general information posts but my riding stories are worn out.

I'll keep "loitering"  tho. 

[old2soon]

            Wayne-Friend to Friend I fer one preciate yer stories. AND Dad always said-you can see where you messed up After you've plowed the furrow. I've had lotsa hitches in my giddyups over the years. While Not always successful I try to Not dwell on the mess ups. Found out awhile ago being bitter and hateful-ME-was NOT acceptable to my Friends or myself. Soooo with much work and constant reminders from Ross-da prez-and his lovely Wife-My S I L-Bonnie-got my crappy attitude turned around and headed back mostly in a more-mostly-correct direction.  And as a PLUS joining the U S Navy helped turn the me me me I'm the only one that counts tude-in a HURRY!  And anudder ting dere Wayne-You Sir are AWAYS Welcome here!  Wouldn't have ANY Other way my FRIEND!  RIDE SAFE.

[Bigwolf]

Wayne,

Taking stock of one's life is a healthy thing, and it can give us cause to feel OK about ourselves... or not... In any event it can point out to us directions to either maintain, or that we should consider changing to improve our outcomes.
*********** I'd say you have cause to be quite satisfied with the path you've trod and the way you've conducted yourself... Congrats!

DDT

Bruce stated very well what I was thinking.  The impressive part...and I believe,... the most important part is “and still serve after over 25 years”.  Good for you!  Keep doing what you do!  I believe that you have a lot to be proud of.

With that said, I am going to add this even though it may or may not apply.  While it is a good practice to occasionally look back over our past, it is not good nor is it healthy to stare at the past.  The same goes for the end of our journey through life.  While it is important to look into and set certain documents and plans in place to manage our final hours and the dispersion of our “things”, it is not good ..... it is not healthy to stare at the end of our part in this play of life.  If we do stare at the “end”, then fear and apprehension take over and we stop living and enjoying life.  Worst of all, we stop contributing to the joy and benefit of others.

Bigwolf

[solo1]

Worst of all, we stop contributing to the joy and benefit of others.

Bigwolf
r
I agree wholeheartedly.  Good words to live by.  However, Remembering what is in the past is not all that bad, it's like a treasure known only to yourself.

I am finding that, despite the evils of Facebook, that I am contributing to Facebook in a good way to make lives better. It is a joy to keep in touch with all of my nieces and nephews and give words of Christian comfort to others in my small community. Living in the past? No I'm not doing that.

Monday, my chapter of the Korean War Veterans will be in uniform and give our respect to the family of one of our deceased members who served in three wars.  Hopefully, it will give comfort to the family.  I won't say that we are a "Band of Brothers' since most have not seen combat BUT we support each other in our older age.

Nope, I'm happy and satisfied with my life, even as I slow down posting on the VRCC.

I am still active in community affairs and hopefully there, also contribute toward the betterment of its citizens.  My experience is appreciated by most, I believe.

[Oss]

Bigwolf and DDT I would take what you said as avoid target fixation

 

Perhaps Wayne you can dig into your past while visiting and offer some "profiles in courage" from some of the folks you have known during the past 90 years.  There is all kinds of courage not involving war. Indeed many barriers to our moving forward are self imposed and appear the closer we get to where we want to go and also when we are determining where to start going

Sure as heck I would love to hear them and maybe we can all take a few things away from the reading of the tales

[solo1]

Oss, how about this one.

                                                         Close to Home.

For many years I had a neighbor called Bill. Although we were at opposite ends on politics we always managed to disagree pleasantly. Bill was a Paratrooper in WWII and served in combat in the Pacific.

Now, today, I've moved when I sold my home to my son Mark (Mad6Gun). Bill still lives next to Mark and Twila.  At 94 he's becoming fragile but still lives alone.  He was at my birthday party. Pam, his daughter, brought him in a wheelchair.  We go back a long ways. Four years ago he went on the Honor Flight and told me he wished that I had joined him (I went later).

I've always thought that I did a fair job raising my kids and my thought is reinforced.  I also believe that Mark picked the best woman for him when he married Twila. Those who have met her, know what I mean.

Mark and Twila bring home cooked meals to Bill at regular intervals, watch over him, and, in general do work that he can no longer do. At my birthday party Bill told me that he was amazed that they would do this for him.  In my opinion and Mark and Twila's, we can do no less for a good neighbor and WWII paratrooper.

And THAT is one of the many stories that I can tell.  I'm thankful that I can say it's about my family.