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Great Trip Back In Time
You've read his stories, now, a
chance to meet Gary Long, the Woodland Avenue Paperboy:
"There are things that stand out in each of
our lives and for me become an integral part of a story - Marlin's
kite, Mr. Walk's curve ball, Suzie Miller's swept sidewalk.
Not big things but important nonetheless.
"I try to make the stories reflective of the people that
impacted me at an early age. For the most part, the stories
are about people that many may have "forgotten".
There are so many people that go through life not knowing they made
an impact on others. They weren't prominent business owners,
wealthy philanthropists, well known athletes and the like. If
their picture was ever in the paper it was a group photo and only
the edge of their head could be seen on the far right of row three
behind the lady in the broad brimmed
hat.
"They went to church but didn't preach. They worked to
help neighbors patch a roof but never charged. The tools they
used, brooms, rakes, sweepers, and hammers, didn't have motors
but they always worked.
"Birthdays were celebrated only by immediate family
members and were often postponed a day or two because of a work
conflict. Christmas presents and Halloween treats were usually
made by the lady of the house who didn't mind spending time in the
kitchen. Recycling was a necessity not a choice and many toys,
storage shelves, and lawn "ornaments" were made from
orange crates and lard buckets.
"Sundays meant a day on the porch, a walk downtown, or a visit
with a neighbor. Widows, elderly and the sick were visited by
them because they liked each other, not because it was "the
right thing" to do. Not all of them went to church every
Sunday but they all dressed up on that special day. No matter
how poor, no matter how busy, Sunday afternoon was for a family meal
that was called "dinner" - the other six days is would be
supper.
"Men rarely wore suits and ties in my world and the only
Cadillac most would ever ride in would be a
hearse.
"They deserve to be remembered and thought of often.
That's why I write about them.
"While we live in a world of hyperbole and words like
"hero" are often used but rarely understood, these
people, these neighbors really cared and sacrificed to make my
world better. Accidental heroes? I think so.
Now, read the latest wonderful story by Gary Long of
Tyrone as he Remembers:
"When
I heard of Bon Secours closing for good it brought back memories of
my experience at Mercy Hospital years ago. It's titled
"How are you feeling, boy?" The title it's saved
under is from the opening line of the story. Anyway, here it
is!
A
STORY ABOUT
GROWING UP IN TYRONE, by Gary Long
click
here: Woodland
Avenue Paperboy
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