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Wednesday, October 07, 2009

A Moment From My Past..I Used To Be Somebody, Too!

Lini- a pardner with Tavo, just wrote a post about a half-marathon she did.. This is an amazing accomplishment, and I salute her! Once, when I was a younger man, I ran in a half marathon.. I was asked to bring a kid from our church, who had half his head taken off by a truck mirror, while trying to cross the busiest street in West Michigan. They expected him to die, but he wouldn't... He recovered, and was never the guy he was again- but he could run.. Tall, lanky, and didn't have much to say, he embraced running, and was everywhere in the North-End of Grand Rapids. We went to the 1/2 Marathon, and set forth on our 13 mile journey.. We didn't run together, as paces differ, but one guy ran past me at the finish line in a sprint..it was Ryan, the brain scrambled kid, who was grinning, from ear to ear.. I called him a few bad names, and hugged him.. I'm not the heartless bastard you might think I am..

62 comments:

Christo Gonzales said...

touching? I guess...LOL

Kandi said...

I don't know whether to laugh or cry!? HAHA BOO HOO! lol sniffle.

buffalodick said...

DogB- Well, I don't make a habit of this sort of thing..
Otin- For what it's worth, his family published a book on his recovery.. He was kind of a dofus before he got hit, but he wouldn't harm a fly-then or since..

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

we suspected all along

Velva said...

Loved it! Should I laugh or cry? Great blog post.

buffalodick said...

YearMan- I had a weak moment, must have been channeling Mother Teresa..

Liz Mays said...

I never thought you were a curmudgeon, ever. And look at this. You proved me right.

Kate said...

I would have never thought of you as a heartless bastard. hmmm...

buffalodick said...

Velva- I remembered, and got a little soggy eyed- good kid... I just have a way of mixing laughter and sadness that is the way my family do these things..

buffalodick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
buffalodick said...

BlueV- I couldn't be mean to anyone that didn't deserve it! I just don't normally show that side..
Kate- No matter what you think, I will always do the right thing...I can't stop myself, or I'd be rich by now!

Mr. Condescending said...

I didn't think you were a heartless bastard. More of a semi-heartless bastard.

buffalodick said...

Mr.C- Not a bad summation! Mostly, but not completely... Back to Hell, once again...

Unknown said...

Lol You aren't a heartless bastard! How nice of you to take him to the marathon. Sounds like you're like me...a general asshole with moments of redemption.

buffalodick said...

Shell- You nailed me, and I will deny it if you repeat it!

Anonymous said...

Never for a moment thought of you as heartless ~

buffalodick said...

Nat- Sometimes even human..

Donna-FFW said...

Good cook, male, humorous, tough guy with a sensitive side, omg you got me going..

Full-On-Forward said...

SO,,,, YOU RAN HEAD TO HEAD? & He Won? Probably had, Caution, Things in Mirrors are closer than they appear on his back!

J
& Yes- I know I'm going to go to hell for that one!

Full-On-Forward said...

I fend off seriousness and kindness with attempts at heartless humor. Have always pretty much hid behind it- Until Now. Good post Buddy! For Real!

J

Anonymous said...

Heartless Bastard!?!?!? A man among boys rings more true.

Thanks for the post.

Chef E said...

You do have heart...

jules said...

My heart just smiled.

tavolini said...

No sadness should ever be told without a bit of laughter.

Great story, Buff--let us know when we should come up and run a race with you. I have people on the West side of Michigan, too, you know ;)

Marjie said...

I won't tell anyone you can be as softie.

Unknown said...

What a terrible and nice story.

Anonymous said...

That is one of the only good reasons to run I've heard (for fun is just silly in my book).

The Good Cook said...

Running has saved many a soul in my family. And I knew you had a good side, you just like to show off the evil side!

buffalodick said...

Donna- Speaking of which, I have to make something for a potluck..
John- We beat about 2/3 of the field, but he beat me by a nose..
Highlander- I'm still kind of a kid, trapped in an old body!
ChefE- Sometimes, anyway...
Jules- I smiled too, remembering..
Tavolini- My racing days are long over!
Marjie- Most days, you wouldn't know it..
Angela- His family considered quite a miracle ..
K- I jogged for years, but the parts were wearing out!
Good Cook- I definitely have both!

Full-On-Forward said...

LMAO- and I was worried about offending you! Note to self- BD can hold his own with anyone! Show no fear or weakness. He will go for the throat! (VBG)

The Blonde Duck said...

Hooray for running!

Akelamalu said...

That's a great story Buff.:)

Mona said...

wow! thanks for sharing that story!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! When you say half his head, what exactly does that mean? I mean, it's giving me visions that I can hardly stand looking at! LOL

But wow. What a wonderful story! I never thought you were a heartless bastard, and now I KNOW you aren't!

UBERMOUTH said...

How did they fix his head?
Do you have pics?
I'm not heartless either.
It's for medical reasons.

UBERMOUTH said...

BTW You're only a half aasshole :)

buffalodick said...

John- I've learned not to blink.. it helps!
BlondeD- I miss it, but not gonna happen anymore!
Ake- The other time I ran that race, I guy got shot in the head by a stray hunter's bullet..but that's another story..
Mona- Once in a while I like to go down memory lane...
Bina- It dug a mirror full off one side of his head.. Left him pretty much speechless, but can write and operate computers quite well..
Uberlips- Reconstructive surgery, even has hair that covers most of the damage.. haven't seen him in years.... I give asshole lessons at the community college..HeeHeeHee..

G-Man said...

A heartless Bastard?
Not hardly!!

But maybe a potlicker.....

Char said...

I didn't know you were a heartless bastard! But if you are...you seem to be a very nice one. Great post.

buffalodick said...

G-man- My late father used that phrase a lot!
Char- Well, not really.. but most folks don't like me at first impression..I grow on them like fungus..

Scarlet said...

Aw, Buff...you're a softie inside. :) One more reason to adore you! Now, how 'bout some chili???

Hit 40 said...

Poor kid. Just awful.

Have you ever heard what he is up to now? Hopefully, he has found his nitch.

buffalodick said...

Scarlet- I worked on Little Leagues, Scouting, YMCA Board, Church boards,Private club boards, etc.. I believe in doing my fair share.. Unfortunately, it burns you out because others don't take their turn.. Cooked for others today- couldn't eat a bite, upset tummy...
Just40- I don't know.. Last I heard, he had a job with folks in the area that employs people with physical handicaps.. but honestly, I don't know..

Michelle Ann said...

I only run if someone is chasing me with a knife. Obviously, I have found it difficult to find someone to do the chasing...

buffalodick said...

Michelle- This cries out for a comment to say while leering.. but not today.. soon...

Shelly Rayedeane said...

I've been thinking about running marathons again. That is the best way to get into shape if you ask me.

buffalodick said...

Shelly-I'd follow your butt for 26 miles. on a Moped! I'll bring the Gatorade......evil Buff is back..disregard my nice actions..

rachaelgking said...

Awww. Look at you, with the big heart! :-)

buffalodick said...

Lilu- I always try to help, sometimes grudgingly...

Just telling it like it is said...

Now that was a beautiful story that made me tear up...I know you would think being a nurse and all that I would be hard..but I could never get there...I still feel so passionate about it..and it is who I am...

Just telling it like it is said...

P.S. did I tell you how compassionate that story is...How wonderful and that he made it past you...what a great gift...

buffalodick said...

Darngirl- I didn't give it to him- he took it! His parents drove him home, and never forgot what we did that day..

Mike said...

Screw the Yankees?? Are you unAmerican??LOL!

buffalodick said...

Everyone but NY hates the Yankees! And the Atlanta Braves! And the Dallas Cowboys! You will win the Pennant, I got money on it...Will someone please buy the Lions from Ford? Now look what you did.. I'm on a roll...M go Blue- please beat the point spread at Iowa...

Chris said...

"I'm not the heartless bastard you might think I am.. "

Ohhhh. You're an entirely different heartless bastard, then? ha ha ha just kidding.

Great story though, BD.

buffalodick said...

I know when to be a hard ass, and when not to be.. The world needs both- at different times.

Rachel said...

Oh Buff! I knew you had a good heart from your first comment on my page. You're fabulous!

MarmiteToasty said...

you are the farthest from heartless that I have even known.....

x

buffalodick said...

Rachel- I guess we're all pretty good folks when given the chance..I've pondered often- do we give because they need help, or because it makes us feel better about ourselves..
Marmy- My sense of humor can be pretty sarcastic, which a lot of people don't get...

MarmiteToasty said...

oh I 'get' your sense of humour, cos we are much alike LOL

it sometimes gets me into trouble though....

x

buffalodick said...

Marmy- I gather it has something to do with the court... I can't stop my mouth, but you have to try, just for an hour or so...

Tanya Kristine said...

wow. and i think my life is hard! the amazingest human spirit resides in those that use it. mines sliiiightly below average.