Last year, as we were emerging from the lockdown, I was inspired to attempt a top-down cleaning of my home. Not just the junk that had accumulated over the dark days of pandemic, but also all the baggage I’d been dragging around with me all these years, as I moved from place to place (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Northern California, Colorado, and various parts of Southern California). My good intentions lasted a while, long enough for me to dispose of a dozen of old moving boxes. But total victory seems more elusive now than ever, and the house, sadly, remains in a state of disarray.
In the process, though, I uncovered a trove of old correspondence and papers, some dated all the way back to my early college days, shortly after my arrival in America. It was as if a genie had been let out of the bottle—box—to carry me back in time, to that innocent era. I was shocked at how fast the memories all came rushing back, and what strong emotions they stirred up in me. It struck me all over again how deep of an effect the events and people from those early years had had on me, and I realized it was time I wrote down the true stories about them.
The writing came in bits and pieces as the memories reasserted themselves in my mind; it eventually took the form of stand-alone short essays, what’s frequently described as narrative nonfiction.
One of the essays, titled Three Men, Two Wars, and a Hobo Kid, was recently published by the online edition of the international literary journal Consequence. It is about my working “adventures” in Central Ohio in the summer of 1976, following my sophomore year in college. I’m proud and happy to share it with you here. It’s a short, easy summer read (3000 words), and if I’m lucky it may bring you a chuckle or two.
Click on the picture below to open the publication in a new tab. Then come along with me on a fun ride around Tuscarawas County, Ohio, circa 1970’s. Enjoy!
Great story, especially since it is true and we know how it came out! We all owe a debt to those who have treated us kindly as we grew.
Couldn’t have said it better, Steve. So happy I was able to share the story with you, and that you liked it!
Jim, What a great story! I just read it, and it’s the kind of thing I will think about more, sort it out. Well told, too. I really enjoyed it.
My immediate reaction is, inspirational. All through life we face challenges. How you make it defines who you are.
I will remember this story, and it’s true! You did it.
If I try and fail it won’t be for lack of trying.
Hi, John. Good to hear from you. I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece. It was a special time and place, with special people.
so enjoyed reading about your younger years! I can’t imagine doing all you did on your own in a strange country. You have lived an amazing life and I feel honored to be your friend. Christy
Hi Christy! What a wonderful surprise to hear from you. Thanks so much for your kind words and your friendship. I’ve been quite fortunate to have met some very nice people along the way, yourself included. Thank you!
Dear Chin, what a good and remarkable story! It was so moving that, for a few moments, I feel like I was there with you thru that moment in time.
Your story also brings up 2 different thoughts in me:
First, it makes me wonder where was I in that Summer of 1976. I was also in my 1st year of college in Montreal, Canada. While there, I worked thru 3 summers; first summer as a dishwasher (no dishwashing machine at the time … all manual work!) in a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown and the next 2 summers as a janitor in Montreal’s largest Jewish cemetery. Indeed, looking back, those were our innocent years as we just had a taste of Life.
Second, people were indeed nicer, much more civil and amicable back then. Fast forward 45 years later, Life appears to be meaner and not so tolerant. Is it due to a radical (yet subdue) change in human behavior over time or…. is it because we posed no threat or competition at the time, therefore did not really see the true human nature?
Anyhow, you were lucky to run into good people that you can learn from and look up to. We are grateful that you still have very good memory of the past and are so talented to write it out for all of us to read and appreciate.
Good Work!
Dear Michael, we were both in the same boat, weren’t we? I’m so glad I was able to help you recapture some of that innocent past. We were indeed innocent and fearless (maybe the two go hand in hand). Take good care, Michael!
Chinh,
That was a very enjoyable story-ette about the time right before I met you. I hope you dig up some more remembrances from your treasure trove to write about.
I’d love to hear your account of our trip to Texas shortly after you started working with me in Pittsburgh. It should be a hoot!
John
Thank you, John! I’m slowly getting up to that timeframe. You’ll be the first to read about that infamous trip
Jim, this is a great recollection. I often think that I prefer the time without cell phones and the Internet.
I, too, experienced the kindness of strangers both when I was in Vietnam (1971-1972) and later (1975-1977) in Saudi Arabia.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
Great to hear from you, Roland! We both had positive experiences as strangers in a new land, in about the same timeframe too, during simpler times. What coincidence!