Reece Gardner: I once walked 17 miles and met Jack Hankins
Just a reminder that One Stop Early Voting is now underway and will run through Saturday, Feb. 29, with Primary Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, March 3. This is one of the most important elections ever, with hotly contested races on the state, federal, and local levels, so let's be sure to make our voices heard
Where it most matters - at the Ballot Box! Have you ever been disappointed? That subject came up at our most recent Cousin's Reunion and I shared this example. As a teenager growing up in Chesterfield, S.C. many years ago, I decided to try to get a job as a radio announcer. I listened regularly to radio station WADE in Wadesboro, and I envisioned myself sitting behind one of their golden microphones playing country music for a wide audience.
Never mind that I was only 16 years of age, living 17 miles from that station and with no transportation, but this was during the summer, school was out, and I had plenty of time on my hands. On a hot July day I began my journey, on foot, to Wadesboro.
Finally, upon arrival there, I went into the station and told the receptionist that I wanted to talk to someone about getting a job as an announcer. Incredibly, she took me seriously and sent me in to speak with an announcer, who happened to be Jack Hankins, whom I did not know. I will never forget that after a few minutes of conversation he actually seemed to be considering hiring me, but then he very kindly told me that there was no opening at that time, but I was welcome to try again later.
I was very disappointed but, upon later reflection, I realized that it would have taken a miracle for me to handle that job at that time. Ironically, some 15 years later I moved to Kinston and was soon offered a job at radio station WELS, and the gentleman who hired me was the same Jack Hankins from years before. I suppose the moral to this story might be that we sometimes aspire to things we are not prepared to handle, but which very well might come into fruition for us later.
Now to close with some humor: A man flying in a hot air balloon suddenly realizes he's lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts to get directions, "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?"
The man below says, "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon hovering 30 feet above the field."
“You must work in International Technology," says the balloonist.
"I do," replies the man, "How did you know?"
"Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it is of no use to anyone."
The man below replies, "You must work in management."
"I do," replies the balloonist, "But how'd you know?"
"Well," says the man, "You don't know where you are or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's MY fault."
Have a wondrous day!
