jodywy
Well-known member
http://m.wyomingnews.com/opinion/walker-we-can-choose-to-be-happy/article_5b5594b2-5b92-11e6-901d-2f3a5e010657.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
In July of 2009, my son Christopher and I thoroughly enjoyed an amazing vacation in South Africa.
Like most great adventures, everything did not go exactly as we had anticipated.
After traveling for nearly 30 hours, we arrived at Johannesburg and were awaiting a flight to East London, South Africa. The flight was delayed.
We finally boarded the plane, but the plane remained on the tarmac. After about 15 minutes, the pilot told us over the intercom that we were waiting to refuel the plane. The bad news was that the pump station that filled the fuel trucks was not working and it would be a few hours before we could get gas.
Many of the passengers became incensed and boldly vocalized their disdain for the situation. Personally, I was amazed at the honesty of the pilot. This was one of the very few times that I could recall an airline employee actually telling me the truth about why a flight was delayed.
After 30 minutes, some passengers started angrily pacing the aisle. Did they really believe that their negative emotions would somehow, mystically and magically, fill the empty gas tanks?
I looked over at Christopher and he had a big smile on his face as he was playing a hand-held video game.
After two hours, the fuel trucks showed up and filled the airplane's tanks. However, the East London Airport had closed in the meantime, so we needed to return to the Johannesburg airport terminal.
Many of the same grumpy passengers again openly displayed their anger and frustration. Christopher continued to smile as we stepped off of the plane. We spent the next five hours getting some rest in a very nice hotel (at the airline's expense).
We arrived at East London early the next morning and experienced a fantastic adventure on the Dark Continent.
Why are some of us so inclined to become hostile at the drop of a hat, yet others remain calm and affable while facing very challenging circumstances?
Perhaps we should all join the Secret Society of Happy People. You can learn more about this "secret" society from its website. The Society has designated August as Happiness Happens Month.
When I reflect upon some of the buoyant and upbeat friends that I have known, one name that often comes to mind is H. Smith Shumway (most know him as Smith Shumway).
I first met Smith Shumway in 1967 while attending church. I was 10 years old, and my family had just moved from Green River to Cheyenne. I was very apprehensive about meeting with a congregation of strangers. I quickly learned that there were no strangers in Smith Shumway's presence. He was gracious, sensitive and kind to a young boy. I will never forget his warm smile and firm handshake.
After attending services for a few Sundays and becoming much more comfortable with my new surroundings, I learned something else about Smith Shumway. He was conducting our Sunday school services when he paused and struggled to complete a sentence. He asked that we be patient as his words were somewhere on the tips of his fingers. The congregation laughed as Smith gently slid his fingers across the Braille program. This is when I realized that Smith was totally blind. As strange as it may sound, Smith was so adept at everything he did it was easy to overlook the fact that he was blind.
Smith was a World War II veteran who, as a 2nd Lt. and infantry platoon leader, landed with the second wave on Omaha beach. He survived D-Day, but was later gravely injured and ultimately blinded by shrapnel from an anti-tank land mine explosion. He was knighted as a war hero by the French government and received the Legion of Honor.
When he returned from Europe, he asked the love of his life, Sarah, to marry him. During his proposal he said: "If you'll sort the socks, read the mail and drive the car, I will do the rest." Sarah accepted the proposal and in 1948 they were sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife in the house of the Lord.
Smith and Sarah had eight children. It was my privilege to associate with some of Smith's children. Like their father, they were smart, talented, compassionate, productive and often displayed their father's warm smile.
From 1955 to his retirement in 1985, Smith was director of Wyoming's blind and deaf education program. He also served as a bishop and patriarch for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When he learned that my wife and I had just purchased a house, Smith asked if he could come over and see our new home. As he walked through our home, Smith made so many kind and positive comments that it made me feel as if I had just purchased Buckingham Palace. Perhaps making those around him feel better about life was Smith's greatest talent.
Smith died in 2011. His indomitable spirit now thrives in heaven.
The next time you feel that your lot in life has been unfair and anger is brewing in your bosom, think about my dear and joyful friend, H. Smith Shumway, a man who selflessly gave his sight for his country yet remained blessed with remarkable vision.
John M. Walker is a resident of Cheyenne. Email: [email protected].
In July of 2009, my son Christopher and I thoroughly enjoyed an amazing vacation in South Africa.
Like most great adventures, everything did not go exactly as we had anticipated.
After traveling for nearly 30 hours, we arrived at Johannesburg and were awaiting a flight to East London, South Africa. The flight was delayed.
We finally boarded the plane, but the plane remained on the tarmac. After about 15 minutes, the pilot told us over the intercom that we were waiting to refuel the plane. The bad news was that the pump station that filled the fuel trucks was not working and it would be a few hours before we could get gas.
Many of the passengers became incensed and boldly vocalized their disdain for the situation. Personally, I was amazed at the honesty of the pilot. This was one of the very few times that I could recall an airline employee actually telling me the truth about why a flight was delayed.
After 30 minutes, some passengers started angrily pacing the aisle. Did they really believe that their negative emotions would somehow, mystically and magically, fill the empty gas tanks?
I looked over at Christopher and he had a big smile on his face as he was playing a hand-held video game.
After two hours, the fuel trucks showed up and filled the airplane's tanks. However, the East London Airport had closed in the meantime, so we needed to return to the Johannesburg airport terminal.
Many of the same grumpy passengers again openly displayed their anger and frustration. Christopher continued to smile as we stepped off of the plane. We spent the next five hours getting some rest in a very nice hotel (at the airline's expense).
We arrived at East London early the next morning and experienced a fantastic adventure on the Dark Continent.
Why are some of us so inclined to become hostile at the drop of a hat, yet others remain calm and affable while facing very challenging circumstances?
Perhaps we should all join the Secret Society of Happy People. You can learn more about this "secret" society from its website. The Society has designated August as Happiness Happens Month.
When I reflect upon some of the buoyant and upbeat friends that I have known, one name that often comes to mind is H. Smith Shumway (most know him as Smith Shumway).
I first met Smith Shumway in 1967 while attending church. I was 10 years old, and my family had just moved from Green River to Cheyenne. I was very apprehensive about meeting with a congregation of strangers. I quickly learned that there were no strangers in Smith Shumway's presence. He was gracious, sensitive and kind to a young boy. I will never forget his warm smile and firm handshake.
After attending services for a few Sundays and becoming much more comfortable with my new surroundings, I learned something else about Smith Shumway. He was conducting our Sunday school services when he paused and struggled to complete a sentence. He asked that we be patient as his words were somewhere on the tips of his fingers. The congregation laughed as Smith gently slid his fingers across the Braille program. This is when I realized that Smith was totally blind. As strange as it may sound, Smith was so adept at everything he did it was easy to overlook the fact that he was blind.
Smith was a World War II veteran who, as a 2nd Lt. and infantry platoon leader, landed with the second wave on Omaha beach. He survived D-Day, but was later gravely injured and ultimately blinded by shrapnel from an anti-tank land mine explosion. He was knighted as a war hero by the French government and received the Legion of Honor.
When he returned from Europe, he asked the love of his life, Sarah, to marry him. During his proposal he said: "If you'll sort the socks, read the mail and drive the car, I will do the rest." Sarah accepted the proposal and in 1948 they were sealed for time and all eternity as husband and wife in the house of the Lord.
Smith and Sarah had eight children. It was my privilege to associate with some of Smith's children. Like their father, they were smart, talented, compassionate, productive and often displayed their father's warm smile.
From 1955 to his retirement in 1985, Smith was director of Wyoming's blind and deaf education program. He also served as a bishop and patriarch for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When he learned that my wife and I had just purchased a house, Smith asked if he could come over and see our new home. As he walked through our home, Smith made so many kind and positive comments that it made me feel as if I had just purchased Buckingham Palace. Perhaps making those around him feel better about life was Smith's greatest talent.
Smith died in 2011. His indomitable spirit now thrives in heaven.
The next time you feel that your lot in life has been unfair and anger is brewing in your bosom, think about my dear and joyful friend, H. Smith Shumway, a man who selflessly gave his sight for his country yet remained blessed with remarkable vision.
John M. Walker is a resident of Cheyenne. Email: [email protected].