My Jon Part 2

I know that as I grew up with a dad that flew B-52’s, I’m not talking about the band, that we were blessed to take family vacations all of the time. We would always go visit the relatives in St. Louis but would strategically visit different State and National Parks on all of our travels. So I have memories as a little guy visiting the Grand Canyon and getting an Indian Warrior Outfit. I know that in today’s sensitive culture you probably couldn’t find this same outfit. So as I think back on the story of my Jon we are now visiting the Grand Canyon.

I know that looking back on our various family vacations that each had a special element that stands out. I know that our 5,000-mile Montana trip will go down in the annals of Bennett history. We drove between AZ, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, CO and New Mexico in the space of 14 days. We were still living in Walnut Creek and had decided to visit the Grand Canyon before attending the wedding of my Anne’s younger sister. She had been our Julie’s Kindergarten teacher. We were rather optimistic that we could actually camp on the edge of the canyon. I should have known that there would be significant wind issues.

Never the less we camped along the edge of the canyon. The winds do a true number on our tent for the few days we saw the big hole in the ground. It was good as a family trip because it was the first time as a larger family that we were together. I do remember Jon getting one of those Indian Head Outfits and a tomahawk. He was really cute because he was rather short and very playful. The challenge was that we were headed to San Diego eventually for Ian and Siri’s  wedding. Just as we were getting ready to drive for the day Jon is playing around and does a head plant on the asphalt in the parking lot. I can remember as a kid attempting to tight ropewalk on the curb or something else. Today Jon is the jock who can balance anything but on that day he ends up scrapping the side of his face and gave both his mom and I a heart attack.

Jon didn’t say much for the rest of the trip but I did take one picture that showed the huge scab on the side of his face. He was a true warrior who has suffered on behalf of the family tribe! I know his memory might have included me pushing or shoving him as the cause of the incident and his injury. I know that when he has kids the same type of thing will happen when his little guy will be too adventurous and end up doing a nosedive onto the concrete patio. I laugh looking back because it was truly a Kodak moment.

I will confess looking back on having a son I was probably a little bit tougher on Jon then his sisters. I knew that ultimately guys have to pay the way for their families and that there isn’t such a thing as a free ride or some type of divine handout awaiting you at the age of 18. I admit that Anne and I have high standards when it comes to school and spiritual tings. It isn’t easy to relate back to someone who doesn’t fit into my box, especially 20 plus years ago. I was raised in a context that my mom and dad would praise me when I did something extraordinary not something that was typically expected, i.e. taking out the trash, cleaning my room or getting good grades.

I know that my brother would always say that mom and dad gave me everything and that he didn’t get anything. Yet, I know the truth deep down inside, ha ha. So I know if I were to have Jon’s sisters assist me in writing they would tell a different story. Neither of them got a clunker car in high school from the parents or other helps that looking back were given more as a selfish way to help us not have to drive him to a new school farther away or help with gas money or insurance.

I can remember the year that Jon decided to go from I hate sports to being a sports fanatic. I had a mom who was a sports fanatic. She would always embarrass me at my little league games or basketball games in Jr. High School. She would go out of her way to highlight the game and where I rocked. I loved baseball and was good because I started playing at the age of 5. My Jon on the other hand resented that I forced him to play soccer at a young age. So when Jon asked if he could do little league I was elated! This was something that I loved to play, coach and watch.

The season that Jon joined the baseball team was a growing experience. He had never played baseball before and didn’t realize that the pitchers might be seven feet tall and throw fastballs that could kill you if the ball collided with your head. I don’t think Jon had really played a team sport where everyone else had done it for years. So the first few times he was at bat I could see his knees tremble and the reality that he couldn’t swing his bat fast enough or in the right place to connect with the ball. I don’t remember much of that season but knew that Jon wanted to dive in and improve.

The next couple of years Jon went to a different school that was forced upon him by his parents. I know that there is a huge difference between going to a school with 3,000 students instead of a new school with only 100. Regardless of the size of class makeup Jon was able to play all sports and because of his love of running he rocked! He became the superstar that year playing football and basketball. I never thought that his love for the sports would grow and become his life passion.

As I fast forward to the last 5 years I have seen Jon go out of his way to volunteer and coach at many different schools. He has gained a wealth of experience that positions himself to be a real coach in the near future. What truly impressed both Anne and I was Jon’s pursuit of getting an internship at a local sport talk radio station. It was through his own initiative that he sent out letters of inquiry. His stint at KTAR became a life changing decision. Yes, he worked with some well-known sports celebs but most importantly he met his wife to be at the station. She had been at the station as an intern and worked for a short time.

I know that all dads have spats or tension with their sons when it comes to figuring out what you are going to do when you grow up. I was the oddball son that ended up never using his Biochem degree and pursued a Philosophy degree and eventually seminary and church work. If I truly had understood the business climate in the 70’s and early 80’s in the Bay Area I would have worked at Apple or Intel and been a millionaire by now. So I can’t say anything about Jon’s choice to pursue broadcasting. I know we had many discussions about what matters the most in pursuing a career. Ultimately I know that he would agree that experience, an education and whom you know is all important.

What stands out the most as I think about my Jon is his unwillingness to let circumstances around him stop him from pursing his goals. I’m proud of his achievements but know that I could have said more as he was growing up and praise him more in a way that he understood.