Shidler’s own Forest Gump – Jay Snow
When I first moved to Shidler it seemed that everyone wanted
me to fight somebody because I was so big for my age. As I recall it was PeeWee Robinson (the littlest
but best basketball player) who decided that Jay Snow and I should fight each
other. So, he started this banter between
us (jay and me) where we were calling each other names and ultimately a fight
was decided upon. I should point out that
Jay and I neither one had said any of the words PeeWee was saying but we both
believed PeeWee. It was decided that Jay
and I would duke it out in the back yard at David Howell’s house (by far the
smartest guy in the class but just never applied it to studies). Being Shidler, it seemed that everyone in
school wanted to witness this fight. Can
you imagine about 200 kids walking across town to David’s house? I am sure it was not that many, but it sure
seemed that everyone was there.
Jay was fast and tough. I was slow and big. The fight began and Jay came at me with all
he had. I grabbed him by the back of his
head and threw him to the ground. Next,
he got up and came at me again. I had
never fought before so when I took my fist and threw a haymaker at him, it
landed on his head, but I had my thumb inside my folded fingers. I think today I still pay for that as I have
arthritis in my thumb, and it is hard to open the peanut butter jar. Jay came at me again and I threw him to the
ground. I just really did not want to
hit him, and I certainly did not want to fight in the first place. I wonder how many kids bet on the
outcome. Finally, after a few minutes I threw
him to the ground again and sat on him.
You must know the problem for Jay was that my arms were so long he had a
hard time getting inside my reach. While
I sat on him and held his arms, I said why don’t we quit and call it even. He agreed and we went inside David’s house and
ate a sandwich together. We became great
friends and buddies from that day forward.
In fact, in a subtle way Jay had a long-term effect on
me. He was a strong believer in Jesus
Christ, and I trusted him even though at the time it kind of drove me crazy when
he would talk about Jesus.
You may not know it but Jay had some tough things going on in
his early life and one day he chose to go to New York and dip his foot in the
ocean and then start walking, just like Forest Gump. Jay walked for 2 years and 4 months across
America. Later he walked across South
America as well and who knows what else but finally, he settled in on becoming
a Ranger with the US Park Service. You
will enjoy this video of Jay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0D5vyone30
I am so glad I got to spend a good amount of time with Jay
last October 2021. Jay has passed recently
but he will not be forgotten. I miss my
friend, but I have my memories.
What do you learn in the Osage?
·
Your story is important, and you need to tell it
·
You can be lost or thought dead like Jay, but
not forgotten
·
A fight can be the new beginning of a great
relationship
·
Forgiveness is greater than any grievance
Thanks for listening,
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