drine
05-07-2007, 12:22 PM
I'm no writer and hated English classes more than anything. Sometimes situations and circumstances make a person "break their mold". I wrote this for my ex father-in-law who was as "cool" a person as I've ever known.
I don't know COK personally but if he allows, this is tribute to his dad too.
THE SAGE
In simpler times the village would gather around the fire to hear tales of great deeds done by those who had already passed over to the other side. These tales were told so that everyone may come to know a person that they had never seen. It was the responsibility of those who knew of these great people and deeds to get the story told so that their memories would last beyond time. Those lucky enough to have the knowledge first hand could pass it along to others so that they might share in these great deeds and hopefully gain some insight and knowledge.
I hope the reader will find how the term “village” applies to my tale of this great hero and some of his deeds. You can equate “village” with the Cherokee or even the Vikings of old. Clinton delighted in finding artifacts of the Indian village that once sat near his home. I never talked to him much about Vikings but since his eldest son was named Leif Ericsson he must have thought a great deal about them. These villages would have a chief, a healer, a storyteller, and always a wise sage to counsel all. My tale is of the sage but as I read this myself, I have decided this man was all of the above. Read it, ponder it, discuss it, and enjoy it. If you can be moved in anyway I’ve done what I set out to do. If you “don’t get it” please feel free to contact me personally and I will sit by your fire and tell you the story from my first hand account. My quest is to preserve the legacy of Clinton Hicks, Chief, Wise man, Healer, Teacher, Comedian, Musician, Family man and most of all a Beloved Child of God.
In order for a diamond to be formed, a lot of heat, pressure, and time are needed for the transformation. Clint had many trials by fire and many lasted some years. These were tough times but you must understand that these were necessary in order to form the man we love. These tough times are important for the reader to learn that one can be consumed by the trial or gain wisdom from it. The story told around the campfire was that Clinton gave the last few dollars he had away to someone he thought needed it more. The entire family began to wonder if there would be any food at the next meal when there was a knock on the door. A person to whom Clinton had loaned a large amount of money to was there to pay it back. Think of the tremendous faith it took to give his last dollar away. Clinton always said “Send out positive vibes and they will return several times.” Sound familiar? Times of darkness allowed introspection that surely forged the man I knew.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” This may well have been one of Clinton’s finer values. He would support any venture a friend or family member may undertake. He would instill the value of the dream in anyone who knew him. “Big Texas” plans I would call them. Plan to be successful, plan to take up a new hobby, dare to be great. He would suggest posting your goal in a place that you could see each day so that you would never lose sight of it. I remember a list of goals posted on the bathroom mirror upstairs of the things Clinton wished to get done. Some of these were important and real, some not. I took from this observance a very important lesson: It is not the goal but the journey to that goal that is the ultimate reward.
I think Clinton’s finest value, correction, second finest value, was his love of his fellow man. I never knew a man better than Clinton and he never looked at a man less than he was. No matter a persons status in society Clinton saw value in everyone he came in contact with. I watched him talk with many prominent leaders in our community. He talked of meeting many famous people and politicians. Clinton would delight in a talk with an old friend or a stranger down on his luck with equal enthusiasm. I believe he found more value in the man who struggled with life and lived each day than to one who lived as though they had the time to waste. I know of no enemies that Clinton had. If he had one I can assure the reader that this person would be as welcome at his table as any other. A trinket received from a poor man held as much value than gold from a rich man.
Clinton’s finest value, legendary and widely known now, was his love of his grandchildren. He delighted in the difference of each and wanted all of them to realize their dreams. Other children were equally important. He could see that a man’s struggles were necessary but he never wanted to see a child suffer for want. All children were drawn to Clinton. I think that what is written above tells why. There is nothing more important than the one you are talking to at any given time. Children need your undivided attention and in this day and time most of us can’t seem to find the time to listen to what kids have to say. They want to tell you of their dreams and accomplishments. They want you show that you care. A hugs and kisses are fine but to actually give your time and attention will go a long way in helping them feel important. Jeb, Bubba, the Crowes, Jake, Tucker, Colton, and any other child had Clinton’s undivided attention when he talked. I remember fishing one day on his pond and as I walked out of the house, Clinton and CarrieBeth were talking about her doll. A couple hours later, they were still there when I came back. I don’t think she was five yet when I saw this! How many of us can be that giving? He took the blessings from it and cherished the time.
I hope you can learn something from this testimonial of the Man, Clinton Hicks. Just as stories were told in centuries past of great deeds and heroes, I shall continue to tell of this mans deeds. I am not enough of a writer and there are not enough sheets of paper to get the whole story told. I wasn’t able to give him too much before he passed and dared not say how I felt to him lest I acknowledge that a hero was about to fall. This is my gift to him.
He gave me one final gift in the last time I saw him. It was actually as I was leaving and met Deborah in the yard. As we hugged I looked over her shoulder and in the bed of Clinton’s truck I saw a cross. Granted this was some lumber left from one of his jobs but he always taught me to look for the signs. I saw it Clint, thanks!
David Rineheart
August 2006
I don't know COK personally but if he allows, this is tribute to his dad too.
THE SAGE
In simpler times the village would gather around the fire to hear tales of great deeds done by those who had already passed over to the other side. These tales were told so that everyone may come to know a person that they had never seen. It was the responsibility of those who knew of these great people and deeds to get the story told so that their memories would last beyond time. Those lucky enough to have the knowledge first hand could pass it along to others so that they might share in these great deeds and hopefully gain some insight and knowledge.
I hope the reader will find how the term “village” applies to my tale of this great hero and some of his deeds. You can equate “village” with the Cherokee or even the Vikings of old. Clinton delighted in finding artifacts of the Indian village that once sat near his home. I never talked to him much about Vikings but since his eldest son was named Leif Ericsson he must have thought a great deal about them. These villages would have a chief, a healer, a storyteller, and always a wise sage to counsel all. My tale is of the sage but as I read this myself, I have decided this man was all of the above. Read it, ponder it, discuss it, and enjoy it. If you can be moved in anyway I’ve done what I set out to do. If you “don’t get it” please feel free to contact me personally and I will sit by your fire and tell you the story from my first hand account. My quest is to preserve the legacy of Clinton Hicks, Chief, Wise man, Healer, Teacher, Comedian, Musician, Family man and most of all a Beloved Child of God.
In order for a diamond to be formed, a lot of heat, pressure, and time are needed for the transformation. Clint had many trials by fire and many lasted some years. These were tough times but you must understand that these were necessary in order to form the man we love. These tough times are important for the reader to learn that one can be consumed by the trial or gain wisdom from it. The story told around the campfire was that Clinton gave the last few dollars he had away to someone he thought needed it more. The entire family began to wonder if there would be any food at the next meal when there was a knock on the door. A person to whom Clinton had loaned a large amount of money to was there to pay it back. Think of the tremendous faith it took to give his last dollar away. Clinton always said “Send out positive vibes and they will return several times.” Sound familiar? Times of darkness allowed introspection that surely forged the man I knew.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” This may well have been one of Clinton’s finer values. He would support any venture a friend or family member may undertake. He would instill the value of the dream in anyone who knew him. “Big Texas” plans I would call them. Plan to be successful, plan to take up a new hobby, dare to be great. He would suggest posting your goal in a place that you could see each day so that you would never lose sight of it. I remember a list of goals posted on the bathroom mirror upstairs of the things Clinton wished to get done. Some of these were important and real, some not. I took from this observance a very important lesson: It is not the goal but the journey to that goal that is the ultimate reward.
I think Clinton’s finest value, correction, second finest value, was his love of his fellow man. I never knew a man better than Clinton and he never looked at a man less than he was. No matter a persons status in society Clinton saw value in everyone he came in contact with. I watched him talk with many prominent leaders in our community. He talked of meeting many famous people and politicians. Clinton would delight in a talk with an old friend or a stranger down on his luck with equal enthusiasm. I believe he found more value in the man who struggled with life and lived each day than to one who lived as though they had the time to waste. I know of no enemies that Clinton had. If he had one I can assure the reader that this person would be as welcome at his table as any other. A trinket received from a poor man held as much value than gold from a rich man.
Clinton’s finest value, legendary and widely known now, was his love of his grandchildren. He delighted in the difference of each and wanted all of them to realize their dreams. Other children were equally important. He could see that a man’s struggles were necessary but he never wanted to see a child suffer for want. All children were drawn to Clinton. I think that what is written above tells why. There is nothing more important than the one you are talking to at any given time. Children need your undivided attention and in this day and time most of us can’t seem to find the time to listen to what kids have to say. They want to tell you of their dreams and accomplishments. They want you show that you care. A hugs and kisses are fine but to actually give your time and attention will go a long way in helping them feel important. Jeb, Bubba, the Crowes, Jake, Tucker, Colton, and any other child had Clinton’s undivided attention when he talked. I remember fishing one day on his pond and as I walked out of the house, Clinton and CarrieBeth were talking about her doll. A couple hours later, they were still there when I came back. I don’t think she was five yet when I saw this! How many of us can be that giving? He took the blessings from it and cherished the time.
I hope you can learn something from this testimonial of the Man, Clinton Hicks. Just as stories were told in centuries past of great deeds and heroes, I shall continue to tell of this mans deeds. I am not enough of a writer and there are not enough sheets of paper to get the whole story told. I wasn’t able to give him too much before he passed and dared not say how I felt to him lest I acknowledge that a hero was about to fall. This is my gift to him.
He gave me one final gift in the last time I saw him. It was actually as I was leaving and met Deborah in the yard. As we hugged I looked over her shoulder and in the bed of Clinton’s truck I saw a cross. Granted this was some lumber left from one of his jobs but he always taught me to look for the signs. I saw it Clint, thanks!
David Rineheart
August 2006