When I was in college I used to hang out at Jim Gamble’s house. Often Jim wasn’t there, but that didn’t matter – I loved his folks, Virginia and Carl.
When I first met the Gambles in 1964 or so, my folks were still in Germany. Dad was still in the Air Force and I was attending Bowling Green. (BGSU, here in NW Ohio.)
The Gambles had a farm, about 6 miles West of Bowling Green, and I loved that place.
I could show up any, and all hours of the day or night – and be welcomed.
From very early on Virgina, or Mom as I was inclined to call her, would offer ‘constructive criticism’ for me to consider. As if I had many ‘choices!’ LOL! After a while I noticed that I was hearing the same ‘lectures’ for the third or forth times. It wasn’t that she was forgetful; no, not at all. I was just a slow learner!
I will never forget however, the night I showed up around 8:30 or 9:00 PM or so, and she said, “Now Robert, I think you have forgotten ‘Lecture Number 43 again.” When Mom began a conversation with “Now Robert…” often what followed was not good! And so I got ‘Lecture 43″ once again that night! Still am not sure today what exactly it was, but I got it, I can tell you that!
God I love those people, Carl and Virginia. He put those two in my life at a time when I really needed them, and I will never let go of them…
