Allow me to tip my hat

I'm a Hip Hop baby. I have sat at the table with legends that have served as my theme music as I've navigated my way through life and met thousands of GREAT people and now it's time to write their name.

A broad-shoulder New Orleanian met Mom-dukes-to-be in New York City and was convinced to make that move to the Caribbean, specifically The US Virgin Islands. A few years later, this island-boy was born. The year was 1973.

Hat Tip.

Throughout life you meet people that leave a lasting impression on you and that's what I believe everyone we come in contact with does. There are so many people that have led me to do some many different things and caused me alot of consternation by telling me to never settle for the mediocre.

Mom-dukes, thank you for signing me up for the Cub Scouts and encouraging me to "stick with it" and make the transition to Boy Scouting, where I had fun and I learned so much about life and myself. (Hey, I can still recite all the points of the compass without skipping a beat.)

Thank you for hearing that commercial on WSTA 1340 AM "Lucky 13" looking for volunteers after fires burned over a third of Yellowstone National Park. The year was 1988.

Youth Conservation Corps for instilling a belief that we are all responsible for protecting the Earth and getting me in the best shape of my life.

Carrying 150 lbs. of food and supplies as a member of the "long haul" Sherpa crew, hiking 20 to 30 miles deep into the woods to the firefighters made me unstoppable on the athletic field and in the classroom.

Hat Tip.

There a too many teachers to list all of their names, but here are a few:

Ms. Bennett
Mrs. Hulse
Mr. Samuel
Mrs. Ignatius
Dr. Rodio
Mr. Carrillo
Mrs. Brady

Hat Tip.

The heart of the family that worried about 9 grandchildren and made sure we knew we were supposed to do something GREAT......Grandma E.  Thank you!

Hat Tip.

The other teachers, coaches, instructors that taught me everything from learning to drive at the age of 10-years old, how to throw a baseball, how to fish, how to sew, how to iron, and how to cook. Thank you!

Hat Tip.

So, on this Monday, please allow me to tip my hat to the people that have "always had my back" and pushed me to "try it" and "stick with it".  Thank you!

Hat Tip.