Growing up with no WiFi in my old neighborhood

 Kids today will never understand the joy of growing up without WiFi in the hood.

When I was a kid, it was nothing to see a street that was dominated by Huffy Bikes, Big Wheels, and Power Wheels.

One of the coolest things that I ever saw were the teenagers who could ride a Wheel- E, on a Schwinn 10- Speed bike, for a BLOCK!

The kids with cars would be blasting the latest music on their Alpine or Kenwood radios.

My grandfather's house was were all of the neighborhood kids would come to get their bikes fixed.

Even my current pastor was on those people.

Fast forward 30 plus years later, the same the neighborhood is now is quite than it has ever been.

The basketball court that was once densely populated on the weekend is now vacant year round.

We used to beg our parents to go outside to play.

Now our children and grandchildren run up our electric bills by playing Xboxes and Playstations.

My how time flies!

Tears and a Smile

On November 1st, 1996, I graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. 

I was the first person in my family to join the Marines. Everyone else are members of the Army and Navy. 

When I boarded the plane to go home, I was seated next to a beautiful Swedish woman. 

I told her that I was on my way home. 

She told that after spending 5 years with a rich and abusive man, she had finally had enough and she was on her way home as well. 

I asked her if I could trade her my spot for the window seat, and she accepted.  

When the airplane took off, I looked down at the base and I started to cry uncontrollably. 

At the time, I had just spent 3 months of suffering and getting to know men from all corners of the country. I was crying tears of joy and sadness.

The nice lady grabbed my head and held it to her breasts, and said to me, "It's okay. Everything will be alright!"

After I had calmed down and realized the magnitude of what happened, I smiled and replied. " It sure will!"

My only regret from this situation is that I did not get her contact information, because I wonder whatever became of her.  

 

Know your worth!

 On June 6th, 2025, I was asked to have my photos featured in a local art gallery for a month.

On opening night, I visited with several of my closest friends and family members. 

While I was there, I was given the opportunity to sell my work. 

One of the other artists that was there, sold his work for $15.

I was a little bit envious because at the time, I had not sold anything. I must admit that I thought that his work was better than mine.

At the end of the night, I was the last artist who was there before the gallery closed. Right as I had begun to shut things down, a couple walked up to me to ask how much I would sell my photos. I told them that I was selling them for $75. The husband thought that I was going to tell him that I was selling it for $150. So he gave me $100 instead. 

The moral of the story is this:

Just because you may think that someone else's work is better than yours does not mean that it is more valuable. Know your worth and believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself no one else will.