A funny memory I have about John Robert was once when we were in the Nashville area after Katrina … trying to keep funding and materials flowing to the Coast. I had broken my glasses and was at a mall in Franklin trying to get them fixed. John Robert saw this kiosk with two or three Asian folks who were offering massages. So he just thought he HAD to have a massage. While we were in the eyeglass store he was sitting in one of those special chairs and this lady went to work on him.
I figured he was going to tell us how great it was and make us wish we had gotten a massage as well. John Robert’s report was something like this:
That was horrible! She hit me so hard it hurt … she smelled like a sweaty horse … and she grabbed my butt! I’m never doing that again.
We laughed for a long time about that – especially when we’d see that same setup in other places. Anyhow … just sharing a memory about my boy that made me smile.
Thanks for reading,
john
John, I hope this finds you with pleasant spirits. Our oldest son, Ricky died in 2000 at the age of 22. Perhaps my greatest fear for many months after was that I would forget him. What he was like, how he talked, what he said…
Although we do not live in Kosciusko anymore where he grew up, we keep his pictures out and when the opportunity arrives we gladly talk about him.
Our youngest, Katharyn is now 18 and even though she is female, she is almost like Ricky’s twin. That has been a blessing for us.
I wish I could say, “it gets easier.”
I guess the truth is you just learn to live with a big part of your life missing.
Keep remembering John Robert.
In His Name, Rick Benson
I can just see him saying that. I am glad it brought a smile to all our faces and hearts. Love to you and Maggy
I guess one man’s massage is another man’s beating.
Too funny! I never knew there could be a “bad” massage. :)
That is hilarious, but at the same time, an amazing illustration: I am doing the Bible study, “No Other Gods” by Kelly Minter. I was taking a break from my study when I read this. She had just used the illustration of the Israelites whining to God about the manna He sent, so He finally sent quail ‘until it came out of their nostrils’ and they were sick of that, too — not happy with all that they longed for.
John Robert isn’t the only one who got something he asked for and it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be! And, a masseuse that smells like a sweaty horse? Pass…
A friend had a large group of friends over for a cookout one year and had a massage person (can’t remember how to spell the fancy name for such) there to give free massages. I had my first and last massage! My experience was very similar to John Robert’s sans the butt squeeze. It was a painful experience at best. My wife was not all that happy with it, either. Maybe we’re just not the massage types.
I have been to our local masseuse one time (her name is Birgit and she’s originally from germany). A really nice person. Her son and mine played youth baseball together in years past. My experience was everything I had anticipated. Soothing, relaxing, rejuvenating. I remember doing some work at Birgit’s and Craig’s (her husband) house several years back. I was on the roof of a storage building I was building for them, pounding away with a hammer and I had a splitting headache, not a migraine but nearing it, which I get maybe once or twice a year. Every swing of the hammer sent blinding shards of pain through my temple. Waves of nausea would ripple through me and I was about to pack up tools and tell Birgit I had to go home, that I had a killer headache. She said “Let me see . . .” Standing there in her yard she found a spot on the side of my neck and began kneading and massaging it. I kid you not after three to five minutes, the pain went from a level 7.5 or 8 down to 1. I could say it left entirely, but that might sound too incredulous. After a brief rest I was able to continue working – I couldn’t believe it.
John, we have had a couple massage. Would it be boasting to say it was in Fiji where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary? In a thatched bure with the sound of the sea. http://www.fijiresort.com/spa.shtml It was wonderful. I have had many great massages. It seems John Robert did not have a great one lol. Don’t let that put you off trying it. it’s a wonderful experience and really does release all sorts of things – emotions, toxins, tension. Glad you are smiling!
I remember hearing about John Robert’s unpleasant massage. I am glad, given the comments to the recounting of this funny memory, to know that a significant number of people find massages irritating rather than soothing. My wife loves a massage. When I am being massaged I just want to say, “Quit poking me!” I am glad I am not alone in the world on this.
C3
Admist the many tears I am sure a laugh and smile was a welcome entity. We are in Nashville right now at the World Convention. Which mall was it? I wonder if the smelly horse is still there. :)
I hope this is a beginning of alot more memories of laughter and smiles for you and your family. I am in the procees of reading “The Shack”. It is very thought provoking. Beginning to make me see things a little differently.