MJ-Way

…I felt I was making real progress. I was working just over two months with UPS, and the camaraderie was awesome. Everyone was a college student, and on our breaks we talked about what we did for fun. I informed them if I wasn’t fishing, or hiking, I would be playing tennis with friends. I also enjoyed going to concerts, if I could get “cheap tickets.” My summers were always a lot of fun, but went by way too fast. When school started again in September, I limited my social activity, and concentrated on my studies. That kept me real busy. I did occasionally go to concerts, and I was able to see one of Detroit’s prodigies, the one and only, “Stevie Wonder!” The ticket only cost me $7.00. I saw him in Detroit and Montreal. Those concerts were memorable. In Detroit he played at the “Old Red Brick Barn” known to native Detroiter’s as the Olympia. It was also home of the Detroit Red Wings Hockey team.

…In Montreal, he played at the Montreal Forum. Another historical stadium known as the home of the Montreal Canadian Hockey team. That ticket only cost me $10.00 Canadian, and about $8.00 American on the exchange. Stevie was an unbelievable musician. What I liked most about him was he always gave thanks to God and seemed inspired by that holy realm. I would see him much later in life both in person and in concert. He is equixially talented. Always thoughtful of his audience, and wanting to play what they wanted to hear. I could not spend that long in Montreal, but I met a bunch of students from McGill University who could not believe I traveled all the way from Detroit to see him in concert. They spoke better English than I spoke French, but I assured them when he starts playing they will know why I came to see him. He didn’t disappoint them. The acoustics of the arena, and his opening song “Superstition” had them sitting at the edge of their seats. I could only smile.

…At the end of the concert they wanted to get my address so we could be “pen pals.” I exchanged addresses with them, but knew I could not stay much longer here. I had at least an 8-10 hour drive back to Detroit, and depending on traffic, it could be even longer. I said, “au revoir” which led the young men to shake my hand, and the young ladies hugged me kissing me on the cheek. I know I was blushing again because they started laughing at me. I could only respond in French, ” je ne sais quoi” which had them giggling even more. I stayed at the Queens Hotel for the night, and had a good rest. I made sure to leave a tip for the housekeeper because I knew I left the bathroom shower in shambles. The room was much cleaner than I had left it.

…On my ride home I could only think of the concert songs and I was glad some of them played on the radio. The weather was great and it only took me 8 hours to get to the border. I had no problem coming through the Canadian side but got hung up on the American side. They wanted me to produce my draft card and reminded me that by law I had to carry it. When I looked in my wallet it wasn’t there, but then I remembered they wanted to see it when I left. It was sitting in the cup holder. Crisis averted. They smiled and waved me through when I produced it. I thanked God again for the safe journey back home! The memory of the concert still fresh in my mind inspired me for a lifetime. .My Life’s Journey Continued…

Motown’s Musical Genius:

… I traveled about 10 miles to get to the UPS loading hub which was next to the Detroit City Airport. My new work place. The city always held an industrial ambiance but on late nights, on the east side, one could always smell what seemed to be potato chips in the wind. The Better Made Potato Chip factory was working full production tonight for sure. You could taste them if you took a deep breath. It only took me 20 minutes to get to work. Not too much traffic at 3:30AM. This will be nice I thought out loud. The warehouse was just starting to open up. The semis were already parked 8 deep filling all of the dock spaces. I punched in and went into the main warehouse where I met my supervisor. He was happy to have me aboard and he motioned for another employee to come over to where we were standing. He introduced me to the guy I would be working with unloading the trucks.

.. .He shook my hand and stated that he all ready knew a lot about me because he was a friend of a mutual friend. I smiled and questioned him, “Dave?” He smiled again shaking his head. Wow, I thought what a small world. His name was Sam. Our supervisor informed me that Sam would show me the ropes. Mainly how to unload the trucks without getting hurt. It was a lot of fun, and a great work out. They played a non stop, night time radio station WJZZ, “all jazz- all the time,” and by the time my shift was over, I was ready for a shower. We unloaded two full semi trailers, which had been packed to precision. No wasted space. My supervisor wanted to know if I would be back tomorrow? I smiled, and said, “of course.” Sam laughed as well. We got to talk during our break and he informed me that Dave had told him what happened to me at TRW and that he knew a good lawyer if I wanted to pursue a law suit.

…I told him I was just glad to be out of there, and felt God was watching my back. I was grateful to be working at UPS. I didn’t want anything from TRW but my last check. I didn’t miss the factory. On a night like tonight, it would be at least 105 degrees inside the plant, if not hotter. This building was airconditioned, and besides, the factory job I got right out of high school. I wanted to put all of that behind me now, and push on an enlightened path. I would be starting my second year of college working on a Liberal Arts Degree and deciding what courses I needed to take to complete it. In the near future, I would have to decide what university I would apply to but right now I just wanted to enjoy the summer! Working here looked very promising, and I made sure to thank Jesus on a regular basis. I hadn’t been this happy in a long time. ….My Life’s Journey…to be continued……

…My summer session was ending and my friend had informed me she received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Denver. She was completing a degree in social work and wanted to work on her Master degree as well. I was happy for her but deep inside had hoped she would stay here. She had friends and family in Colorado and Arizona. She was looking forward to seeing them again. She had only been staying for the summer with her grandmother. ( Her Vacation) She asked me if I had ever been out west, and I had informed her I’d been to Kalamazoo. She couldn’t stop from laughing. “My God you are not only sweet you are sheltered.”

…I had to let her know I was anything but sheltered. I hunted, fished, hiked, all over northern Michigan, and Canada, including Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!!! She asked me if I ever saw the Grand Canyon, and I had to inform her I had not. “Well maybe some day you should make plans to see it, ” she said. She informed me I would be amazed to see it in person. She said goodbye, hugged me before leaving, and stated she would be in touch. I wondered if this was her way of saying goodbye. Would I really hear from her again? Time waits for no one and I needed to get it together before beginning work at UPS. I had to inform the unemployment office that I had found another job, but even though it was only part-time, it paid more than the full time job I had been laid off from. I would lose the insurance wage but gain much more.

…I had remembered to let Dave know I was leaving TRW and starting employment at UPS. He was glad for me and believed it was a great move. He had a couple of friends already working at UPS and they loved it. I had to plan on what classes I would be taking in the fall semester, but I needed to see how I felt after my shift at UPS. The first day of work I showed up at 4:00AM sharp dressed in tennis shoes, jeans and a t-shirt. The Forman was glad to see me. He showed me where the time clock was and gave me my time card. After I punched in, he explained what I would be doing. I basically would be unloading UPS semi-truck trailers. I would be teamed with another employee. I liked what I saw. The place was clean, the other employees welcomed me to the team, and they were college students pursuing a dream. I couldn’t thank GOD enough. Looking back, He seemed to have more faith in me than I in Him, and I was now out of the factory! ………….My Life’s Journey Continued………..

…We found beverages in the student union and I apologized to my friend for not hearing what she was saying. She had invited me to a pool/house party over one of her friends and wanted to know if I could make it? It was tonight. I informed her I could and she gave me the directions. I wanted to know if I needed to bring anything and she told me just myself, towel and bathing suit. She needed to run some errands and told me she would see me tonight. I agreed and nodded I would see her tonight. After she left, I couldn’t help noticing a help wanted sign on the bulletin board next to the councilors office, and it was for the United Parcel Service. Just like David had told me, it was for material handlers, working 5 hour days, 5 days a week, and the wages were more than what I was earning at the factory. I thought it was too good to be true but I did copy down the personnel number.

.. . I had a good time at the pool party and talked with people I hadn’t seen since my junior high school years. It brought back a lot of good memories. At class on Monday my friend was quick to point out that I spent a lot of time talking and hardly anytime swimming. I apologized but explained many of the people there I had some what of a history with. I was very surprised to see them. She sarcastically smiled at me and said, “no kidding.” I think I might have bored her to death explaining how I knew some of them, and was glad when our instructor finally started class. We worked on over hand serves and I was able to master a volley that barely made it over the net. I could tell that this skill was my weakest. Once class was over, I continued practicing with another student. My friend had reminded me to call United Parcel Service and I thanked her. I did totally forget, but she remembered our conversation about me wanting to leave TRW. She hugged me goodbye, and told me I was a sweet one. It caught me off guard and I could feel my self blushing.

…She left and I thanked God at that moment she didn’t look back at me. The student I was practicing with laughed at me and served a bullet shot at me. I was not prepared for that and I heard him say “hey player get your head in the game.” He continued laughing. We finished practicing and I made it back to the student union building to call UPS. I was surprised when the women answering the phone informed me I needed to come in as soon as possible. They had openings but they were filling them quickly. I made an appointment first thing in the morning when they opened. I made sure to wear a sport jacket, dress slacks, dress shirt and tie. I arrived early the next morning. The secretary smiled when I told her why I was here. She directed me to an office at the end of the hallway. The door was partially closed so I knocked.

…I was directed to enter by a gruffy voice who was shocked by my attire when I entered his office. “What job are you here for kid mine?” I laughed and informed him I didn’t want his job but I was hoping I could get one of the part-time night shift jobs. I explained that I was currently on layoff from TRW and collecting unemployment insurance. I was a full-time student and the money I was making fulltime with TRW was less than I would be making part-time at UPS. Besides, I needed a schedule that fit my school schedule and with TRW I never knew what shift I would be called back to. He looked at me and said, ” you are hired kid.” He couldn’t believe how well dressed I was for the job I was applying for. He directed me back to a secretary who helped me complete all the needed paper-work. She told me when and where to report to work. I would start in a week. I thanked God and hoped this was his will for me. I would be working in the city I was born in. …My Life’s Journey Continued… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>1 Peter 1:3-9

..I was enjoying my tennis class and deciding what to do next as far as a job was concerned. I had played tennis with my brothers and father in some of the Detroit parks but my favorite, was Farwell park. That one was near my grandmothers house and always had something happening in it. They had a stand alone wall that was used for handball and tennis practice. They also had tennis courts. I practiced every chance I got and that was at least once a week when visiting my grandparents. The class was very informative . I learned how to over head serve, and became rather good at that. I enjoyed playing with my classmates on the courts and then our instructor wanted to see how well I could return his serve. I returned it with an undercut backhand and the ball landed on his side of the court immediately exiting the court where he couldn’t play it. He looked dumb founded at me.

..He mumbled something and told me he wanted me to return his serve again. He blistered one to my right side where I did the same thing. I powered a for handed shot with under cut spin and it bounced on his side of the court away from him. He asked me to come to the net. He wanted to know if I was playing professionally, I told him no, and I don’t think he believed me. He asked if I would stay after class, and “play him a game?” I informed him I would but I was still learning the basics. He gave me a wry smile. The class ended and one of my friends from class, who heard him ask me to stay after class ended, wanted to watch me play him. I was flattered, but I had to tell her he would probably smoke me. She still wanted to see what I could do.

.. I felt his serves were friendly at first and I had no problem returning his volleys. However, after awhile he began to move me back and forth from one side of the court to the other and I was quickly becoming tired. I was able to undercut several of his shots which he wasn’t able to return and won the serve. My serve was not consistent and he easily took the match. I thanked him for the lesson and he smiled. My friend thought I did pretty well, but I informed her I wasn’t even in his league. We left and went to get something refreshing to drink but all I could think about was were I needed to go for employment. I thought about what David had told me about UPS and figured I would need to check them out. I didn’t see a future at the factory. My friend was busy talking and noticed I didn’t hear her? “Michael, you look like you are a million miles away, ” she exclaimed. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was, and thinking about how God was directing me now. My life’s Journey ….Continued….

. . ..Corinthians 14:33….

.It was going to be a great spring/summer break as I got ready for my nineteenth birthday. I decided to take care of one of my two physical education requirements and picked a beginners tennis class to satisfy one of them. I was not disappointed in doing so. Tennis as a sport I should have played in high school. God gave me the opportunity and I was just to stupid to see it. The coach, who was also the Special Education Instructor, pleaded with me to join the tennis team. My vocational teacher also quite frankly told me to get rid of my girlfriend, car and co-op job. He felt I was missing a great opportunity. I didn’t listen. I was enjoying everything my co-op job brought me in terms of experience with people in the “work world.” I was earning a paycheck and I was going to be graduating high school.

.To this day I still don’t regret my decision not to play high school sports. I felt I needed to get on with a real life. However, what I do regret is that if I played, was coached by our school Special Education teacher, he would have noticed my hearing deficiency, and could have helped me. By God’s grace I completed undergraduate and graduate school without knowing I had a hearing deficiency. I recorded all of the lectures on a cassette player so I could relisten to them as many times as I needed to. So playing tennis now for the fun of it and completing a requirement toward my Associates Degree was a no brainer. Picking the time was easy as well. They offered only one class at 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. I jumped at the chance this time.

.I was back at the factory welding ball joints to A frames and enjoying it. No one was bothering me and I had plenty of work to do so I thought. God’s plan was once again different then mine and before I left work that morning I was told by my foreman that I had been laid off. This was the second time I had been laid off here and I have to say that it did upset me. I would have to wait two weeks before filing for unemployment and sub pay. I knew I was going to have to find another job. This totally stunk, but there was no other recourse for me. I began to believe David was right. Somebody here doesn’t want me here. I thought my welding skills would keep me here for awhile but that was wishful thinking on my part and once again I would pray: Where should I go now God? Looking for some direction please. ….My Life’s Journey continued…..

..”The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.” Euclidean mathematics was not the way my life’s journey could be described. I had a tendency to bounce towards light. I felt more like Tigger than Winnie, and displayed an ever insatiable quest for knowledge. Looking back, I can only hope the fulfillment of my desire did not crush the happiness of others. I was back at the factory welding A frames which never seemed to be in short supply. That was my job for the past two months, and I had not been harassed either. I was getting used to the routine and finished the winter semester at school as well. Going to the student union after my finals I ran into David who I had not seen for quite awhile. He looked happy as he informed me he was now working as an apprentice at Johnson Controls.

..He no longer worked for the TRW corporation. He said he also completed his Heating and Cooling Certification and was picking up the certificate of completion. I had informed him that for the past two months I have been doing nothing but spot welding A-frames, and no one seemed to be bothering me anymore. He did tell me that United Parcel Service was hiring part-time package handlers and I would only have to work 5 hours a night. I would be making more money than my current job working 8 hours a day at TRW. I thanked him for the information. He felt that even though I wasn’t being harassed now, he thought someone just didn’t want me working there, and the “accidental gassing” was targeted. I told him I’d have to think about it, but I did appreciate the new job lead.

. Before he left he gave me a new phone number telling me he was living with a girlfriend now and things were getting serious. He informed me that I might be invited to a wedding, and wanted me to stay in touch. I took it and thanked him for his friendship. He helped me stay centered at the factory and school. I knew I would miss seeing him but he was exiting my orbit to accomplish his goals. I was happy for his success. Johnson Controls was a very good company to be working for. I just knew he would be successful there as well. I was tired and headed home to shower and sleep before going to work later tonight. David always had the ability to see what was happening at the factory before me. I would miss his insight for sure. I was debating if I should take a summer class, and if I did, it would have to be something I enjoyed. I’d have to sleep before making that decision not realizing it had already been decided for me. My Life’s Journey Continued… Matthew 16: 15-16

.The company nurse seemed happy to see me. She asked how I was feeling, and I informed her I felt great. She had me sit on the end of an exam table while she checked my blood pressure, and listened to the pulse on my wrist with a stethoscope. She then put the stethoscope on my heart and listened to it’s beating. She smiled and then put the stethoscope on my back asking me to take deep breaths, hold them for as long as I could and exhale . I did this four times at her urging as she moved the stethoscope over my back. Her last instruction was to cough as she held the stethoscope in the middle of my back. She began writing something down, and I wanted to know if everything was okay. She noted my concern and informed me everything sounded normal, but If I experience any of the following symptoms I was to come back to the clinic: 1. blood in a cough that produces phlegm. 2. Sudden dizziness. 3. Headaches that won’t go away with an aspirin.

.She informed me they were all symptoms of the type of exposure I had unfortunately experienced. She wasn’t really sure how long I was in the chamber before anyone found me. I wanted to know what time did she’d come to the chamber. She informed me she was called to the chamber and I was already out of it laying on the floor sleeping. It was 4:45AM. So I told her at best I probably got gassed and passed out immediately. The gas was being removed by a vent in the chamber. I probably took a direct hit to my face. She agreed with that analysis. I told her I felt great and wasn’t suffering any side effects. I am sure being 18 years old had a lot to do with that. I agreed to come back and visit the clinic if I should experience any of the symptoms she mentioned. Right now I was only concerned about showering, loading up my car with my fishing gear, cashing my check, picking up my fishing buddies and heading to Canada to go fishing. She smiled at that.

.It was great to see my friends. We had planned this trip for the past week and would spend three days camping and fishing in Canada over the Memorial weekend. I went to and graduated from High School with both of them. I had helped one of them get a job where I worked as a co-op student, and the other, we were friends throughout Junior High and High School. Later we would share our college friends as well as we struggled to complete undergraduate degrees. We shared laughs, fishing, drinking Canadian beer, and deciding what we would eat if we didn’t catch any fish. God always seemed to provide and we ate fresh fish, baked over a campfire. We had a great time being in the outdoors, the fresh air, the river, the openness of the landscape was inspiring. Our shared camaraderie of a space in time that can never be repeated, but was beneficial to our spirit, I still remember. I forgot about the factory and that was a good thing… My Life Journey… TO BE CONTINUED ……….. …………………………………………………………PSALM 103 ………………………………………………

… 1 Samuel 16 : 7 ….

. I was on cloud nine as I left campus. I aced my public speaking assignment, and my other class work loads I was on top of. I would actually get some sleep when I finally made it home. The ether gassing last night finally caught up with me and I slept sound. I felt rested as I got up to dress for the factory. My jeans, t- shirt and tennis shoes was all I needed to work there. The benefits of working there, I didn’t need much of a wardrobe, and it was close to my home. There was a note on the kitchen table reminding me to see the company nurse before I left work in the morning. That wouldn’t be a problem. I grabbed what I had made for my dinner to be eaten on my break at the factory, and headed there. The guard checked my bag as I entered the factory, and perfunctorily waved me through. A note was stapled to my time card reminding me to see the company nurse before the end of my shift today as well.

. Once I clocked in my foreman wanted to know if I knew how to weld. I informed him I could arc weld, and spot weld. He smiled and brought me over to a container of A-frames and ball joints. He then plopped the ball joint into the A-frame and asked me where would I put the welds? I showed him where and he smiled again. Handing me back the A- frame and ball joint I welded the ball joint into the A-frame. He shook his head yes, and asked me to finish these containers. They would bring me more when I completed this load. I was once again isolated and wondered if the “throwing of things at me” would begin. I seemed to be in the clear. I completed my shift with no problems, and ate by myself as usual. Not too many people ate lunch in the factory on the midnight shift. Most did whatever got them through the night in their cars or vans.

.I finished my lunch and went back to my work station. The inspector had given my work a green tag which meant he checked the welds on the A-frames and they passed. The foreman made sure I would be busy for the rest of the night. I would fill two more large containers with welded A-frames before I left for the day. The welding was natural for me. I would lose my train of thought pondering my “ether dream experience” while making my production. I was constantly questioning the experience. What exactly had I seen? What exactly did I feel, and was it really a city I was standing in? The more I thought about it the more confused I became. So I decided to stop thinking about it and just praise God. For good measure, I would continue to wear my Cross and St. Michael medal on a chain around my neck. Something I still do to this day, but realizing that I am protected because of my belief in Jesus Christ. My medallions are only for identification of that truth.

. The inspector checked the welds and green tagged them. I looked at my watch it was 6:30 am. The foreman smiled at me and was impressed with the welding. He reminded me to clean-up and go see the company nurse before I leave for the day. I felt good. Even though I was pretty much isolated welding, no one was throwing anything at the large metal bins near me. I was in the back of the factory and even the general factory noise sounded distant. I went to the locker room to clean up before seeing the nurse. Taking off my leather gloves I noticed a red cross on the palm of my left hand. I must have been holding the A-frames way to tight while welding was my thought. I quickly finished washing and went to the company clinic. …My Life’s Journey To Be Continued....

… Hebrews 1: 1-4 …

.Once I got home, I showered quickly, had an Instant Breakfast drink, grabbed my book bag and headed to campus. I went to the library to prepare for my first class, but instead of preparing for that class, I started thinking about what had happened to me in the factory. I didn’t want to start feeling paranoid, but David’s words, “watch your back” had me wondering. He must know or sense something about the people working there that’s just not obvious to me. The experience left me awestruck. In what I thought was a dream, I traveled, I felt very aware of everything I was seeing, some kind of city, and then I touched a marble column of a building in front of me. I wanted to make sure this was real. Touching the column I was overwhelmed with the feeling that this marble is indeed real, I am in a real place, but I am no longer in the factory.

.I wasn’t afraid but I knew something must have happened to me. I was again overwhelmed with the feeling that everything was known, all the wisdom in the world was known by God and the people who loved him. Knowledge was used for good and not evil. While standing in that place I understood there wasn’t anything I didn’t know either. My mind was unveiled. Everything on earth and throughout the universe was God’s creation. God was not chaos and everything was made for his glory. The universe and earth moved as he planned. To emphasize that thought, I witnessed three wheels spinning in space each on the same axle but not concentric. I understood one circle to be past events, the second circle was present events, and the third circle future events. I understood everything about them at the time of my viewing them. They eventually all stopped in alignment, and I understood why.

Celebrating Black History Month by listening to the music of a very good African American jazz artist. Good Memories. My father had Benson’s early albums and my younger brother Greg and I would play the music. Me on an old Spanish guitar given to me by my brother Greg and him on a white Fender Stratocaster. Sit back and enjoy.