Wise Old Owl
05-25-2009, 23:50
Perhaps you have heard the expression “Do a good turn daily” Tonight here on Memorial Day I was at a family get together and was reminded of a good story as my dad told a powerful message to my younger bother about doing things for people that are handicapped or a little less fortunate than others.
Every year I insist to all my relatives to come and join me on a back of car campout for my birthday (April 19th) I enjoy cooking some really thick steaks, downing a few beers, and enjoying each others company around the campfire. Even if I have to provide the Smores or the Bar tab. Our “back of car trips” takes us to places like Northeast Maryland State Park or Peaqua Park in Lancaster PA, near the Conestoga Trail.
The night was late and we were all ready for bed when a older car pulled up to the site some 50 feet away and two little boys jumped out and were helping dad set up what appeared to be an eight man tent! He at first attempted to set it up in the car headlights as we all watched at a distance. I could hear the excitement in the children’s voices and dad was attempting to make the best of things as he tried to control the situation in a calm voice. Although there was an obvious problem that was clear to all of us experienced campers, the dad was doing a great job. So we waited a little bit. Sure enough the dad finally came over, and introduced himself. It was the first time he had the boys out and the tent was borrowed and he had no clue how to set it up. “Hey I would be happy to help you! I said. You see, he had no legs. He did not have any prosthetics, his “feet” were two arm chair rests turned upside down and that made him four foot tall, and he was amazing as he got around. Unfortunately, that was making it difficult to set a 7 to 8 foot high tent up. Half an hour later the kids were in bed I shook his hand and went back to my tent to go to bed. I never gave it a second thought. I just thought what a great dad for those boys.
I was interested to hear from you as I am sure some of you have a few uplifting stories to tell regardless of the trail, so long as it has something to do with camping or hiking. This is one time a little thread drift is OK.
Looking forward to your posts!
Every year I insist to all my relatives to come and join me on a back of car campout for my birthday (April 19th) I enjoy cooking some really thick steaks, downing a few beers, and enjoying each others company around the campfire. Even if I have to provide the Smores or the Bar tab. Our “back of car trips” takes us to places like Northeast Maryland State Park or Peaqua Park in Lancaster PA, near the Conestoga Trail.
The night was late and we were all ready for bed when a older car pulled up to the site some 50 feet away and two little boys jumped out and were helping dad set up what appeared to be an eight man tent! He at first attempted to set it up in the car headlights as we all watched at a distance. I could hear the excitement in the children’s voices and dad was attempting to make the best of things as he tried to control the situation in a calm voice. Although there was an obvious problem that was clear to all of us experienced campers, the dad was doing a great job. So we waited a little bit. Sure enough the dad finally came over, and introduced himself. It was the first time he had the boys out and the tent was borrowed and he had no clue how to set it up. “Hey I would be happy to help you! I said. You see, he had no legs. He did not have any prosthetics, his “feet” were two arm chair rests turned upside down and that made him four foot tall, and he was amazing as he got around. Unfortunately, that was making it difficult to set a 7 to 8 foot high tent up. Half an hour later the kids were in bed I shook his hand and went back to my tent to go to bed. I never gave it a second thought. I just thought what a great dad for those boys.
I was interested to hear from you as I am sure some of you have a few uplifting stories to tell regardless of the trail, so long as it has something to do with camping or hiking. This is one time a little thread drift is OK.
Looking forward to your posts!