GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

30 Amazing Years Part 1..............

December 12, 2007

Celebrating 2 years of blogging, I am sharing the 10 Top Post, or most read ones. They are not in order as most read. This is my first on the day I began blogging, June 20,2007!!!

30 Amazing Years (#1)

30 Years ago today, December 12,1977, I stood in Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia and waited anxiously to see my first born son. His name -- James Alan Melton. Since that day 30 years ago, my life has never been the same. Jim was the first of three sons. All special, but the first to pass this milestone!!

I remember when I turned 30 I had three boys, Jim was 8 years old and I went to a friend's house and got my hair permed. I almost gave everyone who knew me a heart attack. This conservative guy getting what I called an Afro. I had not given much thought to this birthday. Tonia has been bemoaning today for the past year or two. Jim and I spoke on the phone for about an hour last night about everything from the disintegration of the family in America, which he sees first hand as a 3rd grade teacher in our urban area of Downtown Hollywood; to old times, my perm at 30 which I had forgotten all the details of and which he reminded me of. We talked about family and we talked about this Christmas when we will all be together for the first time in many years in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I went to bed with nostalgic thoughts. When the sun rose I woke up with those same thoughts and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided I would blog some about Jim and what he means to me on this 30th birthday. Most of you will find this too long, but I don't care(!) I want to write it, and if he is the only one to read it, fine. He won't either since he doesn't like long blogs!

Jimmy and I had some great years together playing football, baseball and basketball. In my second blog you'll see some of his first pic's of that. Since he was two he would sit through 3 hour football games on t.v., full baseball games when I would get bored and give up. He couldn't remember half of what was on a test he learned the info. on yesterday, but he knew every sports statistic in Pro football and baseball. We attended some great Dolphin and Hurricanes games together over the years (obviously a long time ago, not many of those anymore for either team). We played a million B Ball (basketball for you non sport types) games in the driveway. He could never beat me until his Junior year in High School. He was a lot smarter, talented and better on the court than me but somehow I could psych him out and when he finally beat me his junior year, I gave up. He was too good! I went to so many games, traveled so many places to see him play. We went to the state finals with him in Tallahassee in his Junior year. His Senior year when their team lost in Regional's and didn't go to the State Finals, he and I drove up and watched the others together.

Jimmy was not just a son, but a friend. I loved spending time with him. When Tonia and I drove him to College in August of 1996 and dropped him off I thought I would die inside. I am tearing up now thinking about it. I wandered how in the world I would survive without him. Not, him without me!!!! It was the longest trip back home I have ever taken. (oh, it was only 50 miles, he went to Palm Beach Atlantic, in West Palm Beach.) He survived and thrived in College and I found a way to make it one more day. 5 years later he graduated and had become a fine young man and a great student and avid reader. He  had majored in Education and minored in Religion. He traveled to Mexico on Missions trips over spring break and spent two summers in Wyoming ministering to the Indian Kids. He would be there today I'm convinced if he could afford to live and survive out there. He has an incredible heart for those less fortunate...especially kids.

Probably one of the highlights of my entire life was after graduation when Jim asked me to take a week and drive with him out to Seattle, Washington where he had a job working for Habitat for Humanity, building houses for less fortunate families.  THAT TRIP ALONE I WILL NEVER FORGET.  OK, I'M GOING WAY TOO LONG, SO ILL END HERE AND POST SOME PIC'S AND THEN COME BACK LATER AND PICK UP THE ROAD TRIP IN HIS 30+ YEAR OLD CAR, WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING, WE AFFECTIONATELY CALLED MADAME BLUE BERRY.  ...... TO BE CONTINUED!!         

Posted at 06:35 PM in Family/Personal | Permalink

What a wonderful trip down memory lane, Guy. I have not had the privilege of meeting Jim but I feel like I know him through you.

I would pay for pictures of you in an Afro.

Gabi

Posted by: gabi | December 13, 2007 at 09:42 AM

Hey Pastor, I just love reading your stories and thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. Don't ever stop.

I too would pay to see a picture of the Afro. My husband, Jorge also got an AFro in the late 70's, although being in law enforcement, he claimed it was for undercover work (Yeah, right) His very conservative family was in the state of shock for quite awhile.

Posted by: Jeanne R. | December 13, 2007 at 09:39 PM

I've only known Jim now for just over 6 years but he is probably the closest thing I'll ever have to a brother. It is a unique experience to read about someone so close to me through the eyes of his father. I can't think of a better birthday present you could have given him (except maybe another 2 1/2 lb lobster, which I'd be willing to chip in on this time).

Glad you had a good (and safe) trip out here to the NW, it was too bad we didn't meet up for at least some Seattle's Best Coffee or something. Maybe next time.

Happy holidays Guy!

Posted by: Taylor Leischman | December 14, 2007 at 12:19 AM

Man, I'm tearin' up too. Jonny is only 15 so we're right in the middle of the football/basketball thing. I don't EVEN want to think about him going off to college.

Posted by: securityman | December 17, 2007 at 01:32 PM

30 Years ago today, December 12,1977, I stood in Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia and waited anxiously to see my first born son. His name -- James Alan Melton. Since that day 30 years ago, my life has never been the same. Jim was the first of three sons. All special, but the first to pass this milestone!!

I remember when I turned 30 I had three boys, Jim was 8 years old and I went to a friend's house and got my hair permed. I almost gave everyone who knew me a heart attack. This conservative guy getting what I called an Afro. I had not given much thought to this birthday. Tonia has been bemoaning today for the past year or two. Jim and I spoke on the phone for about an hour last night about everything from the disintegration of the family in America, which he sees first hand as a 3rd grade teacher in our urban area of Downtown Hollywood; to old times, my perm at 30 which I had forgotten all the details of and which he reminded me of. We talked about family and we talked about this Christmas when we will all be together for the first time in many years in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I went to bed with nostalgic thoughts. When the sun rose I woke up with those same thoughts and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided I would blog some about Jim and what he means to me on this 30th birthday. Most of you will find this too long, but I don't care(!) I want to write it, and if he is the only one to read it, fine. He won't either since he doesn't like long blogs!

Jimmy and I had some great years together playing football, baseball and basketball. In my second blog you'll see some of his first pic's of that. Since he was two he would sit through 3 hour football games on t.v., full baseball games when I would get bored and give up. He couldn't remember half of what was on a test he learned the info. on yesterday, but he knew every sports statistic in Pro football and baseball. We attended some great Dolphin and Hurricanes games together over the years (obviously a long time ago, not many of those anymore for either team). We played a million B Ball (basketball for you non sport types) games in the driveway. He could never beat me until his Junior year in High School. He was a lot smarter, talented and better on the court than me but somehow I could psych him out and when he finally beat me his junior year, I gave up. He was too good! I went to so many games, traveled so many places to see him play. We went to the state finals with him in Tallahassee in his Junior year. His Senior year when their team lost in Regional's and didn't go to the State Finals, he and I drove up and watched the others together.

Jimmy was not just a son, but a friend. I loved spending time with him. When Tonia and I drove him to College in August of 1996 and dropped him off I thought I would die inside. I am tearing up now thinking about it. I wandered how in the world I would survive without him. Not, him without me!!!! It was the longest trip back home I have ever taken. (oh, it was only 50 miles, he went to Palm Beach Atlantic, in West Palm Beach.) He survived and thrived in College and I found a way to make it one more day. 5 years later he graduated and had become a fine young man and a great student and avid reader. He  had majored in Education and minored in Religion. He traveled to Mexico on Missions trips over spring break and spent two summers in Wyoming ministering to the Indian Kids. He would be there today I'm convinced if he could afford to live and survive out there. He has an incredible heart for those less fortunate...especially kids.

Probably one of the highlights of my entire life was after graduation when Jim asked me to take a week and drive with him out to Seattle, Washington where he had a job working for Habitat for Humanity, building houses for less fortunate families.  THAT TRIP ALONE I WILL NEVER FORGET.  OK, I'M GOING WAY TOO LONG, SO ILL END HERE AND POST SOME PIC'S AND THEN COME BACK LATER AND PICK UP THE ROAD TRIP IN HIS 30+ YEAR OLD CAR, WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING, WE AFFECTIONATELY CALLED MADAME BLUE BERRY.  ...... TO BE CONTINUED!!         

30 Amazing Years (#1)

30 Years ago today, December 12,1977, I stood in Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia and waited anxiously to see my first born son. His name -- James Alan Melton. Since that day 30 years ago, my life has never been the same. Jim was the first of three sons. All special, but the first to pass this milestone!!

I remember when I turned 30 I had three boys, Jim was 8 years old and I went to a friend's house and got my hair permed. I almost gave everyone who knew me a heart attack. This conservative guy getting what I called an Afro. I had not given much thought to this birthday. Tonia has been bemoaning today for the past year or two. Jim and I spoke on the phone for about an hour last night about everything from the disintegration of the family in America, which he sees first hand as a 3rd grade teacher in our urban area of Downtown Hollywood; to old times, my perm at 30 which I had forgotten all the details of and which he reminded me of. We talked about family and we talked about this Christmas when we will all be together for the first time in many years in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I went to bed with nostalgic thoughts. When the sun rose I woke up with those same thoughts and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided I would blog some about Jim and what he means to me on this 30th birthday. Most of you will find this too long, but I don't care(!) I want to write it, and if he is the only one to read it, fine. He won't either since he doesn't like long blogs!

Jimmy and I had some great years together playing football, baseball and basketball. In my second blog you'll see some of his first pic's of that. Since he was two he would sit through 3 hour football games on t.v., full baseball games when I would get bored and give up. He couldn't remember half of what was on a test he learned the info. on yesterday, but he knew every sports statistic in Pro football and baseball. We attended some great Dolphin and Hurricanes games together over the years (obviously a long time ago, not many of those anymore for either team). We played a million B Ball (basketball for you non sport types) games in the driveway. He could never beat me until his Junior year in High School. He was a lot smarter, talented and better on the court than me but somehow I could psych him out and when he finally beat me his junior year, I gave up. He was too good! I went to so many games, traveled so many places to see him play. We went to the state finals with him in Tallahassee in his Junior year. His Senior year when their team lost in Regional's and didn't go to the State Finals, he and I drove up and watched the others together.

Jimmy was not just a son, but a friend. I loved spending time with him. When Tonia and I drove him to College in August of 1996 and dropped him off I thought I would die inside. I am tearing up now thinking about it. I wandered how in the world I would survive without him. Not, him without me!!!! It was the longest trip back home I have ever taken. (oh, it was only 50 miles, he went to Palm Beach Atlantic, in West Palm Beach.) He survived and thrived in College and I found a way to make it one more day. 5 years later he graduated and had become a fine young man and a great student and avid reader. He  had majored in Education and minored in Religion. He traveled to Mexico on Missions trips over spring break and spent two summers in Wyoming ministering to the Indian Kids. He would be there today I'm convinced if he could afford to live and survive out there. He has an incredible heart for those less fortunate...especially kids.

Probably one of the highlights of my entire life was after graduation when Jim asked me to take a week and drive with him out to Seattle, Washington where he had a job working for Habitat for Humanity, building houses for less fortunate families.  THAT TRIP ALONE I WILL NEVER FORGET.  OK, I'M GOING WAY TOO LONG, SO ILL END HERE AND POST SOME PIC'S AND THEN COME BACK LATER AND PICK UP THE ROAD TRIP IN HIS 30+ YEAR OLD CAR, WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING, WE AFFECTIONATELY CALLED MADAME BLUE BERRY.  ...... TO BE CONTINUED!!         

Comments

[gabi]

I would pay for pictures of you in an Afro.

Gabi

[Jeanne R.]

Hey Pastor, I just love reading your stories and thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. Don't ever stop.

I too would pay to see a picture of the Afro. My husband, Jorge also got an AFro in the late 70's, although being in law enforcement, he claimed it was for undercover work (Yeah, right) His very conservative family was in the state of shock for quite awhile.

[Taylor Leischman]

I've only known Jim now for just over 6 years but he is probably the closest thing I'll ever have to a brother. It is a unique experience to read about someone so close to me through the eyes of his father. I can't think of a better birthday present you could have given him (except maybe another 2 1/2 lb lobster, which I'd be willing to chip in on this time).

Glad you had a good (and safe) trip out here to the NW, it was too bad we didn't meet up for at least some Seattle's Best Coffee or something. Maybe next time.

Happy holidays Guy!

[securityman]

Man, I'm tearin' up too. Jonny is only 15 so we're right in the middle of the football/basketball thing. I don't EVEN want to think about him going off to college.