1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 Well, it's also my pleasure to 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:09,680 Welcome one of our elders Eric Rowell to be delivering the final message in the fully series 3 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:11,680 we've we've covered a lot and 4 00:00:13,040 --> 00:00:19,400 This week we get to end with a message on thankfully for mr. Eric Rowell. Thanks, sir 5 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:26,640 Thank You Greg I 6 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:31,080 Really appreciate those warm sentiments and I will do my best to 7 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:36,400 Try to deliver a wonderful message today that hopefully will resonate with you all 8 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:39,080 I am very thankful 9 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,820 To have the opportunity to bring to you the message 10 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:47,800 I've been a member of the house church for over ten years and I can honestly say that these have been the best 11 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,520 church going years of my life and 12 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:57,160 And pastor Greg and pastor Jen and pastor Chris along with so many others who have kept me strengthened with their messages 13 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:00,680 I am blessed to have such wonderful people look after my soul 14 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:07,840 It's curious that our church is called the house because normally when we think about a house we consider a place where people live 15 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,080 not simply visit from time to time a 16 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:13,840 House is a place that we rise within as in the morning 17 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,600 It is a place where our family exists and is a place where we are fed 18 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:23,360 But perhaps this building called the house is actually what we imagine it traditionally to be 19 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,040 Because it is a place where our spirits rise regularly 20 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,080 It is a place where we see our church family 21 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:35,480 And is a place where we are fed good words that nourish both our minds and our bodies 22 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,120 So many times I've come to this place hungry and I left full 23 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:46,720 Today I'm charged with bringing a message about being thankful or thanking fully 24 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:51,080 This is the last in the fully series as pastor Greg mentioned which began earlier in the fall 25 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:57,960 How appropriate this topic is annually this time of year with the American celebration of Thanksgiving being on our doorsteps 26 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:05,560 We're loving people gather with those they hold dear to dine and revel with in those grand notions of family and love 27 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,920 And please if you will when you say your prayers at those tables this week 28 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,440 Please try to acknowledge the ones who for whatever reason are not able to be 29 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:16,440 The people that they hold dear I 30 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:23,200 Like to mention a few passages a few passages from the good book that focus on being thankful and 31 00:02:23,920 --> 00:02:27,960 When we quote the Bible here at the house, we ask the congregation to stand if able 32 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,600 Psalm 95 verse 2 states 33 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,840 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving 34 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,720 Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise 35 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:52,800 And we definitely heard songs of praise a little while ago. Do we not passage in that's the Greg and Marissa 36 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:58,840 And lastly from 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verses 14 and 15 37 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,000 Because we know the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead 38 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:07,680 Will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself 39 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:13,160 All this is for your benefit so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving 40 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:16,040 To overflow to the glory to the glory of God 41 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:20,520 You may be seated 42 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,520 When I was in the sixth grade 43 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,520 the age typically of 12 years I 44 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,160 Began to notice that my knees would get very sore from time to time 45 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:36,120 Whether I had been involved in a physical activity or simply walking around the house 46 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:41,080 They would also from time to time fold involuntarily on me 47 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,360 Causing me to crash to the floor when all I had been doing was simply standing 48 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:51,840 Initially my mother figured it was just growing pains, but she took me to the doctor anyway 49 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:55,840 And it turned out I suffered from a childhood ailment called Osgood's slaughters 50 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:03,280 Osgood's slaughters probably named after two doctors who discovered it is a disease typically affected affecting kids during their 51 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,280 pre-adolescent growth spurt so yes growing pains I 52 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,000 Was told it would be something that I would that would go away soon, and it did 53 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:16,800 But it was only after nearly a year that I would be able to participate in gym class again 54 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,720 I 55 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:27,240 When the swelling and soreness subsided I was able to try out for my eighth grade basketball team which I made and played pitifully for 56 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,240 for a full season I 57 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:33,440 Made the team yes, but was I any good no in 58 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:40,240 Fact I was so bad. I hated being reminded that I was so bad that I quit the team midway through 59 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:47,000 Until I was coached back onto the team by our coach who was also the first coach to be sent to the gym 60 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:51,940 Until I was coached back onto the team by our coach who was also the school disciplinarian I 61 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,760 Did manage to make a few baskets over the course of that first season 62 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:03,240 And I guess I was satisfied satisfied enough with my efforts that somehow I'm guessing it was based purely on potential I 63 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:08,440 Was given I was I commandeered a spot on the basketball team at my high school 64 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:12,080 Four years on the south side of Chicago 65 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:19,360 I spent playing where nearly every team I played against had at least one be one player if not sometimes seven 66 00:05:20,840 --> 00:05:25,920 Even my high school had multiple D1 players on it and no I was not on that list I 67 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:34,360 Did at least become decent at the sport because the basketball coach at Augustana College heard about me came to watch me play and 68 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:41,360 Again, probably based purely on potential told me he wanted me apart to be a part of his NCAA Division three team though 69 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:47,480 I had no though. I had not during my doing my high school years 70 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,640 Don't know that I had not played very well during my high school years 71 00:05:52,280 --> 00:05:57,840 I did not have any pain in my knees during my high school years 72 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,840 But immediately when I got to college all of it returned 73 00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:04,840 I don't know why 74 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:10,840 The odds of good slaughters was gone because that was a childhood ailment, but it was replaced by something called chondro, Malaysia 75 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:16,440 Which is the breakdown of the cartilage underneath the kneecap causing it to rub against the thigh bone? 76 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:23,520 Nearly every practice and game over my four years was either preceded or followed by ice bags or ice baths 77 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:31,040 It was quite the experience waiting for your legs knees and toes to go numb and water 78 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,040 temperatures in the low 50s 79 00:06:34,280 --> 00:06:38,440 Despite the pain I endured I managed to have four fantastic years of my alma mater 80 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:42,840 Experiencing a wonderful education and making the best friends of my life 81 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:50,360 What is interesting about my college days is that it is likely that none of it would have happened 82 00:06:50,840 --> 00:06:56,960 Had it not been for a man. I have not seen or spoken with since my first initial time meeting him 83 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,880 In my senior year of high school way back in 1989. I'm dating myself 84 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:08,880 There was a college fair at my school where representatives from various colleges from around the state of Illinois and around the region 85 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:10,880 came to visit me and my classmates 86 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,080 We walked around from table to table saying hello to everyone 87 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:20,960 Not knowing the differences between colleges. There were big schools and small schools 88 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:25,280 And I happened to stop off at a table of Augustana College 89 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:29,680 Having never heard of the school nor anything about a small private liberal arts college 90 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:34,400 We all got family members that went to the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois 91 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:39,840 We all know people that did those things, but I knew no one that went to a place like Augustana 92 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:46,800 The man standing behind the table was named Terry Chambers, and he was an admissions counselor 93 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:49,920 at Augustana College 94 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:53,840 Augustana was an institution I had never heard of 95 00:07:53,840 --> 00:08:00,400 but he was enthusiastic about his school and he shared with us the virtues of his institution 96 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:08,080 He appeared particularly interested in me when I told him I was captain of the basketball team and I was also senior class president 97 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:15,520 The only words that have remained in my memory from that time is when he said I'll tell the coach about you 98 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,240 This is how the coach at Augustana College came to see me play 99 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,760 and ultimately make it plain that he wanted me to be on his team 100 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:32,160 I did not apply nor visit any other college because I had no real plans for college or guidance to rely upon 101 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,200 And again, I only met 102 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,520 I'm sorry the name of the man who recruited the students again was Terry Chambers 103 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:45,840 And again, I only met him once and that is because by the time I got to Augustana College in September that year 104 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:47,840 He had already moved on 105 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:49,840 from the institution 106 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:56,240 What I find a little bit more interesting is even though I met him once I still remember his name 107 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:06,240 I often attribute every success and joy I've had in my life since that particular moment 108 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:09,520 to that particular person 109 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:15,440 And ironically in this present day, I hold the exact same position as Terry Chambers 110 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,440 at Augustana College 111 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:23,680 It is my charge like it was his to spread the gospel of Augustana 112 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:29,360 With a glee and enthusiasm because of what he did and what that institution did for me 113 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:33,200 Often 114 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:40,240 What we can be most thankful for are those we can thankfully or those we can thankfully are the people that come into our lives 115 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:47,120 Who seemingly have been placed there divinely who can be present for the length of a lifetime or you may only spend brief moments with 116 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,840 The two minutes for one question about who in your life has greatly impacted yours 117 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,640 Brings to mind the parable of the good samaritan 118 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:57,760 A man who cared for someone he did not have to 119 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:00,880 But then again, perhaps he did have to 120 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,760 Loving and caring people are often compelled to assist others 121 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:12,160 As if it has been placed in their hearts to do so and thankfully this is the case because much of our success and joy in life 122 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:14,560 Has come from the relationships that we have 123 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,120 With the people who cared for us 124 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:20,160 Perhaps some of you told stories of your parents 125 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:22,800 siblings spouses 126 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:24,800 Maybe you talked about coaches or neighbors 127 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,600 And maybe even perfect strangers 128 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:31,520 Regardless of the position of the person there they are 129 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:35,360 That cared for you and becoming the wonderful human being that you are 130 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:39,040 What matters most is that they were there for you 131 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:42,800 I would only ask of you now 132 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:46,800 That if there is someone in your life who has had a major impact on it 133 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:51,040 That you somehow find them and you reach out to them 134 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,000 And you tell them what they have done for you 135 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:56,880 Sadly 136 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:01,680 I do not have that opportunity with terry chambers because 137 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:06,800 Before the notion showed up for me to reach out to him. He passed away 138 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:10,640 So if you have that opportunity 139 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,120 Please do so 140 00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:15,680 As I mentioned earlier 141 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:19,120 In a few days many of us will be spending time with people that we hold dear 142 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,300 The legend of the celebration of this celebration involves the 143 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:26,340 Native peoples sharing their bounty with newcomers 144 00:11:26,580 --> 00:11:30,660 And regardless of its verity the spirit of the day unites most americans every year 145 00:11:31,380 --> 00:11:37,140 Providing us all something to be greatly thankful for or again people we should thank fully 146 00:11:38,900 --> 00:11:40,900 If you allow me a little more time 147 00:11:41,140 --> 00:11:43,140 I would like to share a story with you 148 00:11:43,620 --> 00:11:47,620 But I hope we're crystallized a little bit more of what it means to be thankful 149 00:11:47,620 --> 00:11:53,780 In 1927 a good man stood on a pier in the town of jonesport, maine 150 00:11:54,980 --> 00:11:57,860 He was watching his older brother cast off his boat to go fishing 151 00:11:58,820 --> 00:12:04,820 It was early spring and many of the fishermen used their weekends to fish for lobsters scallops mussels and clams 152 00:12:05,540 --> 00:12:07,540 And the close waters off the atlantic 153 00:12:08,580 --> 00:12:11,620 Some fishermen sought their catches for food and they were able to do so 154 00:12:11,620 --> 00:12:17,460 But the good man's brother was unable to do so because he had no family 155 00:12:18,420 --> 00:12:23,940 After a few hours of restocking the shells of his bait and tackle shop where he sold every fishing ware known to the fishing industry 156 00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:28,580 The good man decided to close up for the day and head towards his own boat tied up at the dock 157 00:12:28,980 --> 00:12:30,980 To clean out the refrigerator on his boat 158 00:12:31,460 --> 00:12:35,460 He was able to do so because he was able to get a little bit of a sense of what he was doing 159 00:12:35,460 --> 00:12:41,860 The good man decided to close up for the day and head towards his own boat tied up at the dock to clean out the refrigerator on board 160 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:44,420 Something something he's been needing to get to for months 161 00:12:45,140 --> 00:12:52,420 And throw out a bin of sardine cans his favorite boat food that seemingly he had seemingly he had been stockpiling for the last four years 162 00:12:53,860 --> 00:12:59,140 His wife told him the year before to get it get this done as the lower cabin reeked to high heaven 163 00:12:59,700 --> 00:13:02,100 And then she wouldn't step aboard again until it was cleaned 164 00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:04,820 And she had held true to her word 165 00:13:06,020 --> 00:13:11,780 When he made it back down to the pier he noticed out in the distance over the atlantic dark clouds forming with flashes of lightning 166 00:13:12,740 --> 00:13:17,620 He hadn't checked the weather on the radios. He kept at his home in his shop or on his boat the last couple of days 167 00:13:18,420 --> 00:13:22,180 But he did know that most of the week it was supposed to rain but not too heavily 168 00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:25,140 It didn't matter to him if it rained or not 169 00:13:25,220 --> 00:13:28,820 As he hadn't been out on the water for the last month being busy with the shop 170 00:13:28,820 --> 00:13:32,980 And fixing the roof of his house that had leaked in the corner of his boy's bedroom 171 00:13:33,300 --> 00:13:40,820 After a fast thaw which preceded a freak winter freeze that dropped northeastern united states temperatures back in january to minus nine degrees 172 00:13:42,020 --> 00:13:48,260 It hadn't been that cold of 57 years and the freeze caused a break in the corner shingles of the house right where the boy slept 173 00:13:49,540 --> 00:13:53,880 Right over the bed rusty latin his youngest 12 years old and a bit of a crybaby 174 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:57,160 Complained all the time that water was dripping on his head 175 00:13:58,680 --> 00:14:00,680 Rusty complained about everything 176 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:07,160 Because since he was born his older siblings his four older siblings made his life miserable with their teases and taunts 177 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:13,880 As the good man stepped on to his boat he decided to turn on his radio to try to catch some of the red sox yankees game 178 00:14:14,680 --> 00:14:19,800 It was the beginning of the season and he had hopes his team could somehow best their hated rivals 179 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:23,720 And their blowhard right fielder who was a former pitcher for the red sox 180 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,520 When he clicked on the radio 181 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:31,960 To tune it towards the game he stumbled upon the jonesport station run by the local coast guard 182 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:40,840 The broad that normally broadcast the maritime matters concerning mostly the numerous commercial and passenger vessels traveling within range of jonesport shore 183 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:45,320 On this station he heard the frantic wails of a fisherman yelling for assistance 184 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:51,240 Stating that water was coming in on the starboard bow of his boat because he had drifted over a hidden reef that ripped a hole in the bottom 185 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:57,080 He didn't think he could pass the hole in time before his boat sank and if it was if it was to sink 186 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:59,080 He hoped someone would reach him in time 187 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,920 The good man immediately recognized the voice of his brother 188 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,240 And quickly cast it off leaving the mess of the refrigerator in the cans for another day 189 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:12,920 He set sail knowing where his brother liked to fish and he knew he could be a good man 190 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,520 Before his brother liked to fish and he knew he could get there before the coast guard 191 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:22,840 As he pushed his engine pushed the engine of his boat. He noticed the ocean's waves getting stronger and choppier 192 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:29,320 As he picked up speed his boat bounced up and down causing sardine cans to fall out of the overfilled bin 193 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:31,880 And land around his feet 194 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:34,520 He kicked at them so as not to step upon and be distracted 195 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:37,880 The wind started to turn and although 196 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:43,580 Or there should have been more light to see with darkness fell unusually early on this day 197 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:46,740 He couldn't see more than a thousand yards ahead 198 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,080 And when he leaned in to look up through the cabin window 199 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:53,640 He saw the darkest heaviest clouds he had ever witnessed in his life and there were swirling overhead 200 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,520 Almost a full circle 201 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,840 Dammit he said out loud 202 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:01,620 Not only fearing for his brother trying to patch a hole in a boat 203 00:16:01,820 --> 00:16:04,860 In the middle of a storm that appeared to be turning into something more vicious 204 00:16:04,860 --> 00:16:07,100 he was now worried about his own neck. 205 00:16:09,380 --> 00:16:12,780 The good man was about a mile away from where he thought his brother would be. 206 00:16:12,780 --> 00:16:15,220 When a large flash of lightning ripped through the sky, 207 00:16:15,220 --> 00:16:16,820 followed by another, then another. 208 00:16:18,060 --> 00:16:22,980 His heartbeat quickened, then he hit the crest of a wave that rocked his boat and 209 00:16:22,980 --> 00:16:26,140 caused the bin of sardine cans to completely topple over, 210 00:16:26,140 --> 00:16:29,260 sending uneaten sardines and their brain all over the floor. 211 00:16:30,780 --> 00:16:34,140 As he closed in on what he thought would be the length of about three football 212 00:16:34,140 --> 00:16:37,500 fields from his brother's position, the sky briefly calmed and 213 00:16:37,500 --> 00:16:39,700 a ray of sunshine cast it down onto his boat. 214 00:16:40,900 --> 00:16:43,260 He looked out through the cabin window again to see the phenomenon, 215 00:16:43,260 --> 00:16:47,380 hoping that the storm had somehow miraculously abated. 216 00:16:47,380 --> 00:16:50,700 For a few seconds he could see clear blue through the swirl, but 217 00:16:50,700 --> 00:16:55,500 just as that moment, the clouds reformed and a bolt of lightning shot straight down, 218 00:16:55,500 --> 00:16:57,700 striking the top of his mast, 219 00:16:57,700 --> 00:17:01,180 sending 30,000 degrees Kelvin straight through to the engine of his boat. 220 00:17:01,180 --> 00:17:05,460 His boat was called the Mad Hatter, named by his oldest daughter, 221 00:17:05,460 --> 00:17:10,900 who was currently pregnant with her first child, the good man's first grandchild. 222 00:17:10,900 --> 00:17:14,180 When the lighting boat hit the engine, the engine exploded, 223 00:17:14,180 --> 00:17:17,180 creating an enormous hole both in the deck and through the hull. 224 00:17:17,180 --> 00:17:21,500 The good man was thrown backwards into a wall where luckily he had hung numerous 225 00:17:21,500 --> 00:17:25,300 life preservers, mostly for his family when they joined him on fishing trips. 226 00:17:25,300 --> 00:17:30,180 The vest braced his impact, but they didn't know what was going on. 227 00:17:30,180 --> 00:17:32,580 They didn't know what was going on, but they did nothing for 228 00:17:32,580 --> 00:17:35,220 the gas that was quickly widening in the Mad Hatter. 229 00:17:35,220 --> 00:17:38,420 Citing his peril, he reached for a vest, but right at that time, 230 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:41,140 the boat lifted, then tipped to its right, causing everything, 231 00:17:41,140 --> 00:17:44,260 including the disgusting refrigerator to fall on top of him, 232 00:17:44,260 --> 00:17:47,660 taking him into the ocean without a vest and seemingly without a prayer. 233 00:17:49,460 --> 00:17:53,140 As the waves bounced, the good man, luckily unharmed by the refrigerator, 234 00:17:53,140 --> 00:17:55,300 swam up to the surface of the water and 235 00:17:55,300 --> 00:17:58,180 watched the Mad Hatter bop up and down in two sections. 236 00:17:58,180 --> 00:18:02,180 The sky was still dark and rain pounded the water with flashes of lightning 237 00:18:02,180 --> 00:18:04,740 seen all above in all directions. 238 00:18:05,780 --> 00:18:08,740 One of the lightning strikes illuminated a white buoy, 239 00:18:08,740 --> 00:18:11,700 one of several that had been tied to the side of the Mad Hatter, 240 00:18:11,700 --> 00:18:13,380 floating just out of reach. 241 00:18:13,380 --> 00:18:18,180 The good man swam desperately for it, his arms, legs, and lungs burning 242 00:18:18,180 --> 00:18:19,780 with relief or for relief. 243 00:18:19,780 --> 00:18:23,220 He reached the buoy and stuck his right arm through it and grabbed a hole with 244 00:18:23,220 --> 00:18:26,660 his left arm, the shoulder pocket of his right sleeve of his jacket. 245 00:18:26,660 --> 00:18:31,940 Holding on for dear life, the rain and waves tossed him for the next several 246 00:18:31,940 --> 00:18:35,300 hours until the storm passed and night time had fallen. 247 00:18:37,060 --> 00:18:39,460 The good man bobbed up and down in the calm water. 248 00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:46,340 His arms were near exhaustion, having to switch from right to left periodically 249 00:18:46,340 --> 00:18:48,660 through the buoy to give relief to one arm at a time. 250 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:52,580 He had done it so often that both arms were equally fatigued 251 00:18:52,580 --> 00:18:54,420 and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on. 252 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:57,940 He was about to raise his eyes to the moonlight, to the moonlit sky, 253 00:18:57,940 --> 00:19:02,340 to launch a prayer for rescue when suddenly something heavy bumped against his back. 254 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:05,700 And he let out the loudest scream he could, hoping it would scare away any 255 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:08,660 sea-going predator he feared would happen upon him. 256 00:19:09,860 --> 00:19:13,780 Spinning around, he found himself staring at a large piece of wood he believed came 257 00:19:12,860 --> 00:19:14,700 that it would not tip over when he did so. 258 00:19:13,780 --> 00:19:16,580 from the deck of his boat, floating calmly next to him. 259 00:19:15,260 --> 00:19:16,300 He managed to feet. 260 00:19:17,380 --> 00:19:20,260 Without thinking, he cast the buoy aside and lunged for the wood, hoping he would 261 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:22,220 After 10 minutes of heavy breathing, his heart calmed and his body warmed slightly 262 00:19:22,220 --> 00:19:26,380 from the hypothermia he was beginning to experience from spending so much time in 263 00:19:26,380 --> 00:19:27,500 the cold northeastern waters. 264 00:19:28,380 --> 00:19:32,380 The waves were palatial now, and through the light coming from the 265 00:19:32,380 --> 00:19:34,140 wind, he was able to reach the shore. 266 00:19:34,860 --> 00:19:37,260 He was able to reach the shore, and he was able to reach the shore. 267 00:19:37,260 --> 00:19:41,500 He was able to reach the shore, and he was able to reach the shore, and he was able 268 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:45,340 to reach the shore, and through the light cast down from the bright moon, he noticed 269 00:19:45,340 --> 00:19:47,580 several pieces of his boat scattered all around him. 270 00:19:48,540 --> 00:19:50,940 He suddenly burst into tears, thankful he was alive. 271 00:19:51,980 --> 00:19:55,340 He didn't know if the Coast Guard would be in search of him now that the storm 272 00:19:55,340 --> 00:19:58,460 had passed, or if they would wait until the first light in the morning. 273 00:19:59,180 --> 00:20:00,860 He also didn't know the fate of his brother. 274 00:20:01,820 --> 00:20:05,260 He hoped they had gotten to him, but perhaps he was able to patch his boat 275 00:20:05,260 --> 00:20:06,060 before it sank. 276 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:10,700 Both would have to have been miracles, but the good man thought that perhaps 277 00:20:10,700 --> 00:20:14,860 God was doling out miracles on the coast of Jonesport on this day, and maybe 278 00:20:14,860 --> 00:20:15,740 his brother was safe. 279 00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:21,660 Guessing sunup would be in a few hours, and fighting sleep, the good man started 280 00:20:21,660 --> 00:20:25,900 to think about his life, not certain if he could get back to what he had had, or 281 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:28,940 if his last minutes on earth were presently being spent. 282 00:20:30,620 --> 00:20:34,620 He fought off the negative thoughts by thinking about his family, particularly 283 00:20:34,620 --> 00:20:37,660 his children, particularly his young son, Rusty. 284 00:20:37,660 --> 00:20:40,060 Suddenly he laughed, and he laughed hard. 285 00:20:40,700 --> 00:20:44,860 He remembered that just two days ago, he nearly lost an eye, and a whole lot of 286 00:20:44,860 --> 00:20:46,460 brain cells at the cost of Rusty. 287 00:20:49,260 --> 00:20:53,580 That Christmas, the good man bought his son a BB gun, modeled after the famous 288 00:20:53,580 --> 00:20:55,980 Chesterfield rifles used by the great hunters of the world. 289 00:20:56,780 --> 00:20:59,980 He bought it with hopes that his son could develop a sharp eye, so that one 290 00:20:59,980 --> 00:21:02,860 day they can go hunting along with his brothers for deer and rabbits in the 291 00:21:02,860 --> 00:21:04,300 timber about a mile inland. 292 00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:08,380 The good man hoped this could toughen up his voice, so that he wouldn't be so 293 00:21:08,380 --> 00:21:09,580 intimidated by his siblings. 294 00:21:11,420 --> 00:21:15,020 What made the man laugh so hard was what happened two days ago. 295 00:21:16,700 --> 00:21:21,340 Rusty actually did develop a sharp eye with the BB gun, and wanted to show the 296 00:21:21,340 --> 00:21:25,660 good man how skilled he was, and how much skill he had developed over the last 297 00:21:25,660 --> 00:21:26,220 four months. 298 00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:30,140 Rusty called his father from outside the house when his father was standing in 299 00:21:30,140 --> 00:21:31,500 the kitchen drinking a glass of water. 300 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:35,020 The good man opened the back door and saw his son lying on the ground about 15 301 00:21:35,020 --> 00:21:39,020 yards in front of him, with one eye closed and the rifle pointed directly at 302 00:21:40,540 --> 00:21:44,140 Before the good man could raise his hands to cover his face and yell at his son to 303 00:21:44,140 --> 00:21:45,580 hold up, Rusty pulled the trigger. 304 00:21:46,780 --> 00:21:49,740 The BB sailed fast and true, hitting the man in the left cheek. 305 00:21:50,380 --> 00:21:53,900 It stung so bad, he threw both his hands up into the air, hitting the cover of 306 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:57,900 the porch right above him with a hard thud, all the while spinning around 307 00:21:57,900 --> 00:22:02,300 towards his son and down the three steps to the porch backwards. 308 00:22:03,340 --> 00:22:07,660 Before the good man hit the ground, a cascade of water drenched his head, only 309 00:22:07,660 --> 00:22:10,860 a few seconds before a metal bucket holding the water. 310 00:22:11,500 --> 00:22:15,180 What Rusty was actually aiming for also hit him on the head. 311 00:22:16,220 --> 00:22:19,580 He crashed to the ground with another thud and laid there, having put the 312 00:22:19,580 --> 00:22:22,700 entire scenario together of what his son was actually trying to do. 313 00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:27,180 By the time his 12 year old got to him, already in tears, pleading how sorry he 314 00:22:27,180 --> 00:22:33,020 was, the good man, seemingly going 15 rounds with Jack Johnson, smiled amidst 315 00:22:33,020 --> 00:22:37,660 the sting in his cheek and the lump forming on his forehead and said, need 316 00:22:37,660 --> 00:22:39,180 to aim a little higher next time. 317 00:22:41,180 --> 00:22:44,860 Rusty's tears stopped as he hugged his father and the good man hugged him 318 00:22:44,860 --> 00:22:45,100 back. 319 00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:48,940 Thank you, God, the good man said. 320 00:22:48,940 --> 00:22:51,740 Out loud while floating on that piece of a boat. 321 00:22:52,540 --> 00:22:54,300 I don't deserve anything you have given me. 322 00:22:55,340 --> 00:23:00,380 Suddenly the good man's eyes closed and he just drifted peacefully into sleep. 323 00:23:03,180 --> 00:23:08,700 That Thanksgiving, a chair was left empty at the dinner table at the 324 00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:11,180 Layton family Thanksgiving celebration. 325 00:23:12,460 --> 00:23:15,020 The next year, that chair was filled with a smiling baby boy. 326 00:23:15,020 --> 00:23:18,860 Who ate his food happily and messily while being fed mostly by his great 327 00:23:18,860 --> 00:23:20,620 uncle who had no kids of his own. 328 00:23:24,140 --> 00:23:31,020 In 1997 on Thanksgiving Day in a very large home in Jonesport, Maine, a 329 00:23:31,020 --> 00:23:34,540 prayer was said, giving thanks for the opportunity for the Layton family to 330 00:23:34,540 --> 00:23:35,340 gather again. 331 00:23:36,140 --> 00:23:39,340 There was a main table where the oldest members sat and there were two 332 00:23:39,340 --> 00:23:40,860 additional tables in the front row. 333 00:23:40,860 --> 00:23:44,220 There was a main table where the oldest members sat and there were two 334 00:23:44,220 --> 00:23:46,380 additional tables lined together in the living room. 335 00:23:47,420 --> 00:23:50,620 There were also people sitting on couches when there was no room left at 336 00:23:50,620 --> 00:23:51,180 the tables. 337 00:23:52,540 --> 00:23:57,180 All in all, 47 people had gathered at the Layton home with three separate 338 00:23:57,180 --> 00:23:59,820 turkeys needed to serve all members of the family. 339 00:24:02,220 --> 00:24:06,940 At the main table, a very old man sat calmly watching all the people eat and 340 00:24:06,940 --> 00:24:07,260 laugh. 341 00:24:07,260 --> 00:24:11,340 He picked at his food not being very hungry as he was captivated by all the 342 00:24:11,340 --> 00:24:13,820 faces that he did not recognize. 343 00:24:14,940 --> 00:24:19,020 They seem to be a loving collection as there were people of all ages sitting 344 00:24:19,020 --> 00:24:23,260 hither and yon in different rooms, all stuffing their faces, all seemingly 345 00:24:23,260 --> 00:24:24,300 excited to be there. 346 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:29,180 He wonder why he was there and why everyone had been so nice to him. 347 00:24:31,180 --> 00:24:34,380 He was followed everywhere he went in that home and everyone helped him with 348 00:24:34,380 --> 00:24:34,940 everything. 349 00:24:34,940 --> 00:24:38,860 A woman to his right cut up his food for him and a young boy possibly in his 350 00:24:38,860 --> 00:24:43,820 teens sitting across from him got out of his chair to pour brown gravy over his 351 00:24:43,820 --> 00:24:44,460 mashed potatoes. 352 00:24:45,660 --> 00:24:47,740 He had been asked if he was too warm or too cold. 353 00:24:48,860 --> 00:24:52,540 He had been given hugs and kisses by seemingly everyone and he had been doled 354 00:24:52,540 --> 00:24:54,620 on like he was someone very important. 355 00:24:55,580 --> 00:24:59,020 Yes, these people were very nice and although he did not know any of them, he 356 00:24:59,020 --> 00:25:02,540 was happy to be where he was and enjoyed watching them dying. 357 00:25:02,540 --> 00:25:08,860 Before the first pie was cut was cut into, there came an eerie silence, a 358 00:25:08,860 --> 00:25:11,420 complete void of noise in the house. 359 00:25:12,140 --> 00:25:15,660 It lasted for only a brief moment and the old man who didn't know anyone 360 00:25:15,660 --> 00:25:17,020 decided to fill that void. 361 00:25:18,140 --> 00:25:22,380 He looked around the room and said through the quiet, I shot my father in 362 00:25:22,380 --> 00:25:23,500 the face with a BB gun. 363 00:25:25,500 --> 00:25:29,740 Everyone in the house, all 46 other people, were there to help him. 364 00:25:29,740 --> 00:25:33,500 Everyone in the house, all 46 other people, watched the old man. 365 00:25:34,460 --> 00:25:35,500 It looked like a photograph. 366 00:25:36,540 --> 00:25:38,460 Mouths that were in mid-bite held firm. 367 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:40,300 Eyes that were motionless. 368 00:25:40,860 --> 00:25:42,860 Eyes that saw were motionless and fixed. 369 00:25:43,980 --> 00:25:47,420 Then the old man said, my father was a boat captain. 370 00:25:49,180 --> 00:25:50,460 Still all eyes were on him. 371 00:25:51,100 --> 00:25:55,580 His words were weighty to the crowd as if they had been so far, so few and far 372 00:25:55,580 --> 00:26:00,460 between that any utterance from him should cause all to listen and glean. 373 00:26:01,820 --> 00:26:05,340 Then finally the old man said, I loved my father. 374 00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:12,140 A younger man to his right, sitting at the head of the table, reached his arm 375 00:26:12,140 --> 00:26:13,740 around the old man and pulled him close. 376 00:26:14,780 --> 00:26:17,820 He said with tears in his eyes, I love you, dad. 377 00:26:19,260 --> 00:26:23,580 Then with both arms hugged his father as if oxygen was being given to him 378 00:26:23,580 --> 00:26:29,740 through that hug. The old man looked to the stranger to his left and although he 379 00:26:29,740 --> 00:26:34,380 did not recognize him, he felt so much love in that hug that he nestled into 380 00:26:34,380 --> 00:26:37,820 the man's shoulder, allowing the younger man to kiss him on the forehead. 381 00:26:39,020 --> 00:26:41,900 And when he kissed him, the old man looked into the younger man's eyes and said, 382 00:26:42,860 --> 00:26:43,900 I love you too, son. 383 00:26:43,900 --> 00:27:00,700 As it seemed like the right thing to say, for the old man was thankful to be in this house.