Abyss

Posted on December 11, 2012 by russtowne

I know too well what it’s like
To linger on the jagged edge
Of a deep and dark abyss.
I’ve felt its powerful pull
And heard its siren song.
“Give up! Give in!
You can end your pain and shame.
There’s no need to suffer anymore.”
But even during my darkest days
When hope was a distant memory
I knew even then the abyss would lose.
For that false friend had no chance
Against a tool that I could use
To renew my hope and help me to endure.
When all seemed lost I’d make a list
Of all I was grateful for.
I smiled as the list grew long
And the abyss lost its allure.
I’ve learned that when I’m feeling down
Counting blessings is the cure.
–Russ Towne

Posted in Adversity, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Giggle With The Goats

Posted on December 11, 2012 by russtowne

For those who could use a smile and/or more of the holiday spirit…

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/b4_EdJ-XkUA?rel=0

Russ

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Humor | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“The One I Didn’t Shoot Down!”

Posted on December 11, 2012 by russtowne

The New York Post tells the remarkable story of World War II American bomber pilot Charlie Brown and German Luftwaffe ace Franz Stigler, who instead of shooting down Brown’s crippled plane, flew alongside it and saluted. The story comes from the new book “A Higher Call,” by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander.

In December 1943, in the skies over Germany, Stigler was in pursuit of Brown’s plane, looking to shoot it down. If he did, it would be his 23rd victory, good enough to earn him the Knight’s Cross, the highest honor for a German soldier in World War II.

But as he approached the plane, Stigler saw that it had no tail guns blinking, no tail-gun compartment remaining, and no left stabilizer. Moving closer, he noticed that the nose of the aircraft was missing. And he could see into the plane, the skin of it having been blown off. Inside, he observed terrified young men tending to their wounded.

Stigler could not shoot the plane down. He had been trained that “honor is everything.” If he surived the war, his superior officer told him, the only way he would be able to live with himself was if he had fought with as much humanity as possible.

Stigler could tell that Brown didn’t realize how bad a shape his plane was in. He gestured for Brown to land the plane, intending to escort him. But Brown shook his head. The American had no intention of landing in Germany and being taken prisoner along with his men.

Stigler then yelled “Sweden,” meaning that Brown should land his plane there. But Brown didn’t know what Stigler was yelling. Terrified, Brown ordered his gunner to get in the turret and take aim. At that point, Stigler saluted Brown and veered away. His last words to him were, “Good luck, you’re in God’s hands now.”

Brown somehow was able to land the plane in England. He continued his Air Force career for two decades, but remained obsessed with the incident.

Finally, in 1990, he took out an ad in a newsletter for fighter pilots, looking for the one “who saved my life on Dec. 20, 1943.” He held back key information to screen fraudulent responses.

Stigler, now living in Vancouver, saw the ad and yelled to his wife: “This is him! This is the one I didn’t shoot down!” He immediately wrote a letter to Brown, and the two then connected in an emotional phone call.

Stigler and Brown both died in 2008, six months apart. In their obituaries, each was listed as “a special brother” to the other.<<

Posted in Honor, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Posted on December 10, 2012 by russtowne

Most of you know that I love kids, dogs, and music and this post puts them all together in a delightful way.

Russ

Live & Learn's avatarLive & Learn

1 minute clip. I’m confident that this clip, paired with Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend“, will put you in the right frame of mind to kick off your day.

View original post 232 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Clueless!

Posted on December 10, 2012 by russtowne

I occasionally re-post a story so that newer readers to this site have a chance to catch up a bit on some of the ways I’ve made a fool of myself over the years. The story below is one of them.

Clueless!

I think that most people who know me probably think that I’m a reasonably intelligent man. My beloved wife knows better. Case in point:

Beloved and I got married when we were in our early 20′s, and right after our wedding ceremony we received a copy of what I thought was just a cute little souvenir certificate (mistake #1) of the wedding signed by the person officiating the ceremony and our two witnesses.

In my haste to begin our honeymoon I inadvertantly laid heavy luggage on top of the marriage certificate (mistake #2).
As we began unpacking at our destination, Beloved noticed the wrinkled and slightly torn marriage certificate and handed it to me. I should have taken closer notice as to the look on her face (mistake #3) and if I had, and if I’d had a functioning brain cell in my head I might have found a way to salvage the situation.

But that was not to be my fate–-the lack of brains and the lack of salvaging the situation. In fact I made the situation far worse.

I know that you are probably wondering as to how anyone could be that stupid, and even if someone was that stupid, how could they make it any worse, but trust me, if a problem can be made worse I’m usually the one to find a way to do it.
As Beloved handed the mangled document to me I figured it was too far gone to be saved (mistake #4) and that we could just buy another one from the state that would have equal sentimental value to my Beloved (mistake #5), so in front of her I began to finish ripping it the rest of the way in two (Mistake # 6, 7, 8, to infinity).

As I was mid-rip, she screamed: “STOP!!! What are you doing to our marriage certificate!?!?”

That’s not quite how either of us had dreamed our honeymoon would start.

If she had killed me right then, I doubt if a jury would have convicted her.

And to her credit she didn’t end the marriage right then and there. Or maybe it just proves she isn’t quite as bright as people think she is either!

Whatever the reason, I’m eternally grateful that she has hung in there with me for all these 33 years. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has rarely been boring!

And yes, we still have that original mangled 33-year old marriage certificate with a tear half way down it. It has gone through some tough times with us, but like our marriage, has always found the strength to stay together no matter what.

Russ

Posted in Humor, Marriage, Relationship Lessons Learned, True Stories I've Written | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Posted on December 10, 2012 by russtowne

I love the photo and the saying. Thank you, Gina. Often, however, what one stumbles over when in the abyss looks and feels like anything BUT treasure when it occurs. It can take many years for the person to realize the treasure that was there, and sadly some never do. But my hope is that for those who have stumbled but not yet discovered their treasure that they keep looking for it. I believe a great place to start is where their heart and spirit intersects with their wounds. That’s where I believe they are likely to find their greatest gifts for sharing with the world . It is where I found mine after looking outside of myself for decades. The answers were inside me all along, covered up by painful memories. I had to work through my pain to begin to see how my greatest gifts for the world were there and aching to be freed by me.

Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Where Do Dreams Go To Die

Posted on December 10, 2012 by russtowne

Where do dreams go to die?
It could be an awful terrible place.
But don’t caterpillars turn into butterflies?
And drops of water become snowflakes?

Perhaps dreams are like that too
When they’re crushed and all seems lost.
Maybe they return as something new
And even better than what we’d sought.

–Russ Towne

Posted in Dreams, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Quiet Voice at the End of the Day

Posted on December 9, 2012 by russtowne

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” –Mary Anne Radmacher

This post is dedicated to all who are struggling, facing fear, have fallen flat on our face again and again, but who refuse to give up. I’m rooting for you. May the new start of tomorrow bring you closer to what you seek; and a breakthrough to greater wisdom, joy, and inner peace.

And to those who have given up, may you find the support, love, and hope you need to carry on. I believe that you have something critically important to share with the world. I believe that of everyone. May you experience the beauty of the hearts and spirits of others and may they show to you the love, beauty, and value within yourself, so that you can once again be able to begin sharing the same with others.

May we all find our way.

Russ

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Courage, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Fear, Patience & Persistence, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Often an Ending Occurs to Create Space for Something Much Better

Posted on December 9, 2012 by russtowne

This post is dedicated to anyone who has lost a loved one or is going through other tough times. It is a short quote. It has been my experience that much great wisdom is often contained in but a few words. I believe the quote below falls into that category.

Russ

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly.–Proverb

Posted in Acceptance, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Loss, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

People and Trash Making Beautiful Music Together

Posted on December 8, 2012 by russtowne

Someone is taking trash and making it into musical instruments that poor children are using to play beautiful music together.
Another example where creative and caring people are creating solutions that are making the world a better place for everyone.
Everyone is a winner.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?v=10151279562307432

Russ

Posted in Creativity, Making the World a Better Place, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments