it all depends on how you look at it.

I get up at 3:30 in the morning to take my pit bull-mix dogs out for some exercise. Although walking is my preference, I have recently been trying to run at least a few tenths of a mile, usually on a secluded road behind the main street where, that early, you find no traffic, no people and no stop signs.

This morning I took off and either snagged my toe on a warped piece of concrete or on the back end of a dog that was not running quite fast enough, but either way, I felt myself losing my balance and plummeting to the earth. (aside: at 5’3” the plummet wasn’t that far, but when you are going down you feel like you are 7’1”!)

As I neared the ground, it occurred to me to put down my right hand and flip my body to land on my back on the patch of grass between the cement walkway and the street. Sure enough, I flipped over, didn’t scrape anything except my right hand, and I laid there to catch my breath.

 We now have three possible interpretations of what happened next...

1)      10 month old pit mix view: Clay Mutthew saw me on the ground and assumed it was playtime. He jumped on my chest with a smile on his face and his tail wagging. (by the way, the 10 year old pit, Faith, didn’t do anything but look at me impatiently, so I would continue the walk.)

2)      How I saw it: Clay, misinterpreting my falling for a heart attack, jumped on my chest to administer CPR…even though the first rule is if the victim is breathing and alert, they probably don’t need CPR. At least he tried.

3)      How someone would have viewed it had they looked out and seen the event: old woman lying on ground being attacked by vicious dog. Call 911!

Luckily I was not hurt, the dog was not impounded and we were able to finish our walk with no additional incident.

Maybe I’ll try running some other day.

Eulogy for my Father, Frederick W. Pearson

Many people have asked me what my dad was like.

I have two answers to this – how he was and how he is.

First I will tell you how he was.

Dad was without anger but able to get angry when necessary. I never felt his discipline through spanking but through reason and expressed disappointment at my actions. Trust me – a spanking would have been better.

Dad was a hard worker, sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet while we were growing up.

He let us know what he did and why so we would see the value in a job done well and not resent his absence from us.

Dad was a God fearing man, who I never saw sin by conventional standards, never heard him swear, or do anything purposely to hurt another person.

Dad was generous with the time he had left over. He was a loving father and stepfather, a good husband, a trusting friend and valued employee.

 That’s how he was… now I’m going to tell you how he is.

Dad is disciplined and educated – he was a military man who did his job with finesse and showed talents from riding in the mounted cavalry to being the mess cook for his reserve unit. Never one to be second best, he was also not someone to pull rank on others.  You can see military precision with human touch personified in my sister Mary Beth.

 Dad is gentle and compassionate – dedicated to his church, his God and his faith. He goes to church on Sunday, observes the sacraments and is a fixture in his pew, at his time, with his family. You can see his example and values at work in my sister, Elizabeth.  

Dad is easily humored. He loves the company of men and women, preferring women I think. He is a faithful and loving husband. He is as comfortable in the audience as he is as the star – the focus of attention from others. If you want to see what I mean, look at my brother, Kevin.

Dad is energetic, happy with his nice home and well groomed yard. (even if it is us children who groom it.) He loves his children so hard that he hurts when they hurt. He encourages them to be more than just someone’s kids. He is strong in will to the point of being stubborn. He doesn’t tolerate stupidity or laziness, and is the person you know will follow through 100%...even if you are only requesting 50%. His zest for life and family is magnified when you look at my sister Elaine.

Dad is a writer and reader – a philosopher and psychologist. Dad is there with an open ear and open heart for his family and friends as well. Dad delights in a good meal. Dad enjoys a gathering with his whole brood as well as a private gathering at one of our homes. He is a lover of music…a follower of his favorite comedy shows from the past... an appreciator of drama, comedy; plays and movies.

I would like to say you can see this by looking at me, but you can see all this by observing and talking to any of us. Dad is not proud or vain but we are, and with very good reason.

We’re Freddie’s kids.