If you ever have a chance to listen to the old Dan Fogelberg song, The Innocent Age, please stop what you are doing and hear the lyrics. It is a song about the group, Buffalo Springfield. They were a group during the mid to late 60s. They were part of the soundtrack for our group. They broke up and went in different directions about the same time the San Fernando Baptist youth group was breaking up and going in different directions. The Springfield never broke apart. They went in different directions. They still are friends. But they have their lives away from the group. That is the same as the San Fernando group. Pay particualr attention to the line about following the dreamer, the fool and the sage. We had all of those and more in that group. We didnt have a leader, we had a dreamer, a fool and also a sage, and more. Rick was in the middle of that group. At times, he was a dreamer. At times he was the fool. And at times, I have known him as a sage. Oh to relive those days of innocence. I would love to be spending my summer days and nights with the dreamer, the fool and the sage and more. Back at the start, it was easy to see, none to own to and nowhere to be, except to be with the dreamer, that fool and the sage, and more. Ricky, after all these years, you paid to help us recapture the innocent age.
Capture the moment
Carry the day
Stay with the chase
As long as you may
Follow the dreamer,
The fool, and the sage
Back to the days of
The innocent age.
Storybook endings
Never appear
They're just someone's way of
Leading us here
Waiting for wisdom
To open the cage
We forged in the fires of
The innocent age.
Back at the start
It was easy to see
No one to own to
Nowhere to be
Deep in the heartlands
A sad memory
Calls to me.
(Calls to me)
Fretful horizons
Worrisome skies
Tearful misgivings
Burning your eyes
Yearnings unanswered
Reckon the wage you
Pay to recapture the innocent age.
Back at the start
It was easy to see
No one to own to
Nowhere to be
Deep in the heartlands
A sad memory
Calls to me.
(Calls to me)
Fretful horizons
Worrisome skies
Tearful misgivings
Burning your eyes
Yearnings unanswered
Reckon the wage you
Pay to recapture the innocent age.
Friday, July 30, 2010
FRAYED ROPES Refelctions of Rick Back and Fourth
My Reflections of Rick continue. So many times during the day, I see something or hear something and I turn to whoever is near me, usually Jean who feels she knows him as well as I do because of all the stories I have told her, and say, "Oh there was a time that Rick......" or, "I remember when Rick....."
Rick did not handle sorrow real well. He was so full of fun and laughter and joy and smiles that when we did experience some form of sorrow, a death, the leaving of our pastor, dealing with a wrong decision by one of us or a kink in a relationship, Rick was saddened. He never wanted any of his friends to fail. He did not want any of his friends to be sad. He never wanted to see any of his friends to feel sorrow in their life. I mentiond to some people the other night, I think one reason that God took Rick so soon is that He wanted to spare him of feeling the way we all feel right now when members of his army of friends began to die. But those are my random thoughts.
Four very old friends got together after the service the other night. Two of his very oldest friends who grew up in the church we attended, Marcel and Floren Suetos, Pastor Fred Snider, who was our spiritual leader, and myself. Fred and I spent the entire service wiping our eyes. Oh those allergies in AZ. We sat in my living room and took turns telling Rick stories. So many laughs. Some stories we can share with you when you are old enough.
Fred reminded us that when Rick did well in RISK, oh the very few times he succeeded in that game, as he moved his armies into the country he just conquered, he would use his best James Coburn voice from the Magnificent 7, turned to his conquered friend and say, "You Lost".
I had many friends back then and have had many friends since. But my Magnificent 7 were Kenny, Floren, Marcel, Fred, Ricky, Rick and Joel. Like the original Mag 7, some have died. But we have overcome the bad guys and will be remembered for that.
Our lives were like the twine that weaves together to make a rope. Some of those pieces have become frayed by the useage. But the strength of that rope is greater than the weakness of any of its pieces. There was no glue to hold us together. The God of Creation, Grace and Forgiveness had wound us together to be strong.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY Reflections of Rick times 3
I know Rick did alot of teaching over the years. My chikdren tell me of his Sunday School lessons and his Bible Studies. Mostly, he was good at sharing himself and what he had learned along his journey. I heard him speak a few times, but I never heard him give a sermon. But his life was lived as the application of every sermon you ever heard.
We sang in the youth choir at San Fernando. Howard Weller was the choir director. He was so old school baptist. But he sure showed all the patience God had given him when he led the youth choir. Later, Floren took over leading the youth choir. We had three tenors. Rick, Marcel and me. Marcel would stand in the middle. The only way I could carry a tune is by hearing what Marcel was singing and my voice would follow his. Marcel would sing with a finger in his ear. Rick asked him one time why he did that. Not wanting to make Rick feel bad, Marcel told him that by putting a finger in your ear, you can hear yourself better and stay on tune. So, for the remaining time of our youth choir days, Rick and Marcel would stand up in the choir loft, singing with a finger in their ear. Rick, following Marcel's reasoning, to sing better. And Marcel? Well it was later pointed out to Rick that Marcel had done it for all those years so he wouldnt have Rick throw him off with his singing. Rick took that, along with everything else that came his way, in stride. He knew he would not be the singer Marcel was. As much as Rick loved music, is it any wonder that he married a woman with one of the best voices he or I ever heard?
The first Sunday of every month, we would have communion at San Fernando. It was always set up the same way. The pastor, Ray Murray, would stand behind the communion table and give a short communion meditation. The deacons would sit on the platform on either side of him. We thought they were up there to keep an eye on us the entire service. The communion would always follow the same format. Pastor Ray would read a passage from Isaiah 53. "A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." Then he would pass out the trays with the crackers on them. Then he would recite further in chapter 53. "All we like sheep have gone astray."
One Sunday, Rick turned to me and made his hand to look like a hoof. He looked in my face and said,......"Baaaaaaaa". I lost it as did the others within ear shot. We tried not to laugh out loud. We held our hands over our mouths, we snorted like we were all coughing, at the same time. The rest of the communion service was a blur. After the, after they had supped, they sang a song and went out, we ran out of the church so we wouldn't face any more dirty looks from all the deacons up on the platform.
It took maybe six months to get through a communion Sunday without some laughter or smiles. When Jean finally met Rick, she asked me, "so that is the guy who said Baaaa"? Recently in church, someone quoted Isaiah 53:6 and Jean and I looked at each other and smiled.
So many people today do not have fun in church. It is a duty to attend. It is one of many choices to do on a Saturday night or Sunday morning. It is something to stay away from because it is no fun and we dont get anything out of it. Rick made church fun. Rick was one reason that I looked forward to going to church while God was maturing me into realizing why we go. Did I ever mention that around Rick, there was always laughter and smiles... and Joy?
We sang in the youth choir at San Fernando. Howard Weller was the choir director. He was so old school baptist. But he sure showed all the patience God had given him when he led the youth choir. Later, Floren took over leading the youth choir. We had three tenors. Rick, Marcel and me. Marcel would stand in the middle. The only way I could carry a tune is by hearing what Marcel was singing and my voice would follow his. Marcel would sing with a finger in his ear. Rick asked him one time why he did that. Not wanting to make Rick feel bad, Marcel told him that by putting a finger in your ear, you can hear yourself better and stay on tune. So, for the remaining time of our youth choir days, Rick and Marcel would stand up in the choir loft, singing with a finger in their ear. Rick, following Marcel's reasoning, to sing better. And Marcel? Well it was later pointed out to Rick that Marcel had done it for all those years so he wouldnt have Rick throw him off with his singing. Rick took that, along with everything else that came his way, in stride. He knew he would not be the singer Marcel was. As much as Rick loved music, is it any wonder that he married a woman with one of the best voices he or I ever heard?
The first Sunday of every month, we would have communion at San Fernando. It was always set up the same way. The pastor, Ray Murray, would stand behind the communion table and give a short communion meditation. The deacons would sit on the platform on either side of him. We thought they were up there to keep an eye on us the entire service. The communion would always follow the same format. Pastor Ray would read a passage from Isaiah 53. "A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." Then he would pass out the trays with the crackers on them. Then he would recite further in chapter 53. "All we like sheep have gone astray."
One Sunday, Rick turned to me and made his hand to look like a hoof. He looked in my face and said,......"Baaaaaaaa". I lost it as did the others within ear shot. We tried not to laugh out loud. We held our hands over our mouths, we snorted like we were all coughing, at the same time. The rest of the communion service was a blur. After the, after they had supped, they sang a song and went out, we ran out of the church so we wouldn't face any more dirty looks from all the deacons up on the platform.
It took maybe six months to get through a communion Sunday without some laughter or smiles. When Jean finally met Rick, she asked me, "so that is the guy who said Baaaa"? Recently in church, someone quoted Isaiah 53:6 and Jean and I looked at each other and smiled.
So many people today do not have fun in church. It is a duty to attend. It is one of many choices to do on a Saturday night or Sunday morning. It is something to stay away from because it is no fun and we dont get anything out of it. Rick made church fun. Rick was one reason that I looked forward to going to church while God was maturing me into realizing why we go. Did I ever mention that around Rick, there was always laughter and smiles... and Joy?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
RICK PARTAIN DID NOT WALK ON WATER REFLECTION PT DUEX
In all the years I knew Ricky Partain, he never walked on water. Some of us thought he could if the situation arose. I saw him at the beach, in the ocean, riding the waves as we would go body surfing. He loved being in the water.
I saw him on water skis as we learned to ski. It took us both awhile tolearn as Marcel and Floren would glide on their skis. Rick and I would spend alot of time eating water, gliding, sort of, on top of the water. Later, after we moved out here, partly to be closer to Rick, he would take us out to the lake and I would watch, in amazement, how well he skied. I have very good mind fotos of the days at Canyon Lake, he and I jumping off the cliffs. the short ones. And skiing from behind his boat. The first place he took us to when we visited was to go tubing. So, yes, I did see him on top of the water quite a bit. But he never walked on water.
I saw him at Roger's pool, learning to stand on top of a surfboard. It was back in the days when boards were 9 feet long. We tried to jump off the shallow end onto the board to see if we could stand on it. As we took a rest, Rick decided to try one more time. He ran and jumped on the board. He called out to us, "Hey, look at me". As we looked over, he fell back and the board shot up in the air like it was shot out of a cannon. It landed on the diving board across the pool. We didnt use Roger's pool to learn to surf any more after that. Rick was better off body surfing.
One time at 1000 Pines, our mecca all through high school, we had a diving competition. You would announce the dive and then proceed. Rick announced he was about to do a swan dive. As he jumped off the board, Marcel called out a very good QUACK. Rick lost it and looked like a bird shot out of the sky. No Points for that dive. But lots of laughs and lots of fun. Did I tell you that around Rick there were always laughs and smiles?
Oh yes, there was one time I saw him walk on water. Or so it seemed. We were up in the mountains, hiking along a creek. The creek was not very deep, but, none the less, you would get wet if you stepped in it. Someone came up to Rick to show him a small, very small, harmless at that, snake that they had caught. Rick screamed and his only escape was across the creek. As he ran, it appeared he was running atop the water. So, yes, I did see Rick Partain walk on water, so to speak.
Only two people are on record as walking on water. That phrase is reserved, now, for those who would measure up to the status of our Lord and Peter. It is true that Rick never walked on water. But he did know where the rocks underneath were to stay dry. He depended on all the rocks he encountred throughout his life. The Clemo Partains, the Merle Shorts, the Dan Foos, the Dave Falconers, the Rick Johnsons, and all the other men who helped shape him into a little bit of all of them to be who he was, and will always be to so many of us.
I saw him on water skis as we learned to ski. It took us both awhile tolearn as Marcel and Floren would glide on their skis. Rick and I would spend alot of time eating water, gliding, sort of, on top of the water. Later, after we moved out here, partly to be closer to Rick, he would take us out to the lake and I would watch, in amazement, how well he skied. I have very good mind fotos of the days at Canyon Lake, he and I jumping off the cliffs. the short ones. And skiing from behind his boat. The first place he took us to when we visited was to go tubing. So, yes, I did see him on top of the water quite a bit. But he never walked on water.
I saw him at Roger's pool, learning to stand on top of a surfboard. It was back in the days when boards were 9 feet long. We tried to jump off the shallow end onto the board to see if we could stand on it. As we took a rest, Rick decided to try one more time. He ran and jumped on the board. He called out to us, "Hey, look at me". As we looked over, he fell back and the board shot up in the air like it was shot out of a cannon. It landed on the diving board across the pool. We didnt use Roger's pool to learn to surf any more after that. Rick was better off body surfing.
One time at 1000 Pines, our mecca all through high school, we had a diving competition. You would announce the dive and then proceed. Rick announced he was about to do a swan dive. As he jumped off the board, Marcel called out a very good QUACK. Rick lost it and looked like a bird shot out of the sky. No Points for that dive. But lots of laughs and lots of fun. Did I tell you that around Rick there were always laughs and smiles?
Oh yes, there was one time I saw him walk on water. Or so it seemed. We were up in the mountains, hiking along a creek. The creek was not very deep, but, none the less, you would get wet if you stepped in it. Someone came up to Rick to show him a small, very small, harmless at that, snake that they had caught. Rick screamed and his only escape was across the creek. As he ran, it appeared he was running atop the water. So, yes, I did see Rick Partain walk on water, so to speak.
Only two people are on record as walking on water. That phrase is reserved, now, for those who would measure up to the status of our Lord and Peter. It is true that Rick never walked on water. But he did know where the rocks underneath were to stay dry. He depended on all the rocks he encountred throughout his life. The Clemo Partains, the Merle Shorts, the Dan Foos, the Dave Falconers, the Rick Johnsons, and all the other men who helped shape him into a little bit of all of them to be who he was, and will always be to so many of us.
Monday, July 26, 2010
REFLECTIONS ON RICK PARTAIN PT. 1
There has been a lot of things already said about my Friend, Rick Partain. And, approriately enough, much more will be and needs to be said. This will not go away for a long time. Rick made too great an impression on all the lives he touched for us to feel normal for a long, long time. I do not sit down here to say the right thing, or the best thing, or the most memorable thing about Rick. Most of the things I have heard this past week from others have been my very thoughts. Just had someone else say it for me.
This is more for me than any one else, mainly because I dont get reactions from what I write any way......
The first time I heard the name, I was part of a YMCA flag football league. We were told by guys on another team that it was a good thing thatwe didnt have to play a certain team of guys from Patrick Henry because they had a guy named Partain, just Partain, who was great.
When I first got to San Fernando, Rick was the first friend I made. We were about three weeks apart in age. We had so many similar interests. And we both loved to laugh and make others laugh.
We loved to play sports. He still was very much involved playing with guys 30 years his junior. But in the high school days, we played whatever sport was in season. Softball in baseball season, football until it got too dark to see. And basketball. We used to call his jump shot the "Oops shot". Because everytme he would shoot, it missed the mark by so much that he would say, OOPS.
I was thinking that so many people are known by only one name. Pele, Madonna, Wayman, Lebron, Koufax, Mays. We all knew Ricky Lamar Partain. But you didnt need to say the entire name. Because all you had to say was, Partain. that was enough to bring a smile to my face and everyone else got that warm feeling that we were in for a good time.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
TOMORROW'S REFLECTION
I think it is important to check out blogs by people from different walks and viewpoints. One Blog I try to follow on a regular basis is from Jeremy Jernigan, a teaching pastor at Central. His views on scripture are right on, he has interesting friends, he enjoys sharing from his vantage point on being a young father (wait for the teen years my young friend), and although his alligences to the Yankees and Buffalo Bills are tough to comprehend, at least his passion for both teams is commendable.
One ingredient to his blog is OTR, his series of interviews with people you and I may never meet. A recent installment was with Brett McCracken, who is a writer and reviewer. One question Jeremy usually asks is should we use a different word other than Christian. Mr. McCracken gave an answer I really appreciated. Just because a word has baggage, it should not be set aside. Every word has baggage. I might add that every person has baggage too. I think IF SOMEONE DOESNT HAVE ANY BAGGAGE, HE HASN'T BEEN ANYWHERE. I liked the interview as I have enjoyed reading all the previous ones. Keep up the good work Jeremy. I still say you need your own TV show.
Monday, July 12, 2010
IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE THIS TIME TOGETHER
Now, my fear of and lack of skill with PDAs is legendary. My aversion to them is well known and my previous post bore that out when I had a touch pad device for all of 40 minutes. Therefore, what I have to say can be interpreted as jealousy or sour grapes. But, here it goes.
Did you read Mitch Albom's article in the Sunday paper? The one about how parents encourage their kids to bring their cell phones to summer camp? So they can stay in touch? While the kid is away at camp? The kid is at camp. Away from you mom. That is one reason to go to camp. Now, we know being away from your facebook or myspace page for a week, or not being able to tweet for allthat time could make you unknown by the time you get home. But, come on. Leave the device at home. The camp staff will let you know if there is an emergency. If you do not trust the staff, find another camp. Like thousand pines baptist camp. Oh, I loved that place. We went there when we still hand wrote letters and we had to wait days to get an answer.
The other evening, we went to dinner with some of our children.let me say this, we went to dinner and some of our children were in the same restaurant. Five out of six of them spent the entire time texting someone not present. Well, I guess I had nothing to say, but we will never know.
Did you read Mitch Albom's article in the Sunday paper? The one about how parents encourage their kids to bring their cell phones to summer camp? So they can stay in touch? While the kid is away at camp? The kid is at camp. Away from you mom. That is one reason to go to camp. Now, we know being away from your facebook or myspace page for a week, or not being able to tweet for allthat time could make you unknown by the time you get home. But, come on. Leave the device at home. The camp staff will let you know if there is an emergency. If you do not trust the staff, find another camp. Like thousand pines baptist camp. Oh, I loved that place. We went there when we still hand wrote letters and we had to wait days to get an answer.
The other evening, we went to dinner with some of our children.let me say this, we went to dinner and some of our children were in the same restaurant. Five out of six of them spent the entire time texting someone not present. Well, I guess I had nothing to say, but we will never know.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
SMART PHONE, I AM NOT
Well, I entered the smart phone era today. And quickly went back to the 20th century. It is time for a phone update. I waited for this day because I wanted to turn in my flip top phone and get something fancy. I got one of those touch screen jobs. I brought it home, took it out of the box, opened the directions. It took a few minutes to find the part in English. Then, I proceded to try to figure the thing out.
After an hour of looking at the thing, I decided I am not ready for a smart phone. YOU HAVE TO BE SMART ENOUGH TO USE ONE IF YOU WANT ONE. So, I took it back. I figured I could not live with myself if I allowed myself the pain I experienced for that hour for the next two years of phone ownership.
What I got, in return, was a device that (1) receives phone calls, (2) allows me to dial out going phone calls, and even (3) sends text messages. It will take some time to figure that part out. but i will have this phone for two more years.
Now, I hope I get some calls soon and I hope I push the right button so I can speak to the person who calls me.
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