Oddball
Thoughts

I guess it all started in 1973. It was a late afternoon on the north shore of Staten Island. Not a particularly notable place. We lived upstairs in a two family house just across from a gypsum factory and just across the Kill Van Kull from what I called, “Gas/Oil New Jersey”. I was waiting to start my Graduate School program at New York University and, in the meantime I was driving a taxi in Manhattan part time at night. Also, not a particularly notable job.

Mary Anne worked the 4PM – Midnight shift at a local hospital. She was an RN doing her best to help mankind recover through all kinds of surgeries and ailments. Her shift was about to begin. She had just put on her nurse’s outfit and was ready to head for work.

I was in my mid-20s and she was just 20. I guess she saw that sparkle in my eye. Maybe it was her nurse’s outfit that worked it’s magic on me. Oh, the pleasure of testosterone and youth. We looked at each other and … Well, let’s just say her departure for work took a slight delayed turn of events. “But, honey I’m not on the pill and we’re not using any protection.” Followed by my famous last words “Oh, don’t worry … nothing is going to happen.”

A few weeks later Mary Anne announced: “I’m pregnant.” “Oh, I said. Well, how did that happen? She said, “Remember that afternoon a few weeks ago when you were drinking a “Piel’s Real Draft Beer?” “Yeah … “ “And, I was wearing my nurse’s white outfit.” “Yeah.” “Oh .. Oh .. you mean it’s that easy to get pregnant?’ “Yeah …” “Well, what does this mean?” “Duh .. we’re going to have a baby.” “Really? “Well, I didn’t know it was that easy to do this. I thought the odds were kind of high to make this thing happen.” “I’m Sicilian. Getting pregnant is easy for us. ”

Well, the next weeks turned into months and Mary Anne’s profile adjusted accordingly. We joined a Natural Childbirth Class. “Natural” childbirth. Now, there’s an interesting thing. I had no idea why we needed to learn how to do something that was “natural”. Anyway, we went to the classes. And, I think it was the second or third class when the teacher was teaching the soon-to-be mothers how to breathe. “You need to learn how to “breathe?” This was a new concept to me. Well, the teacher started to demonstrate breathing techniques when you go into labor. And, then she said, “if you learn this technique, delivering your baby won’t hurt.” At which point I blurted out, “Bullshit”. The teacher stopped, gave me a steely eyed stare and said, “Excuse me!” Let’s just say, I backed off.

The months passed. The belly expanded. And, soon the day had come. “Honey, I think we need to go to the hospital.” “Oh, okay. But, can I take a shower first?” “I’ll be quick. Just hang in there.” (probably the most insensitive thing I ever said especially since she was in labor since Midnight).

We left for the hospital post haste, checked in and found ourselves in a private room. “So, what do we do now?” “We wait for the doctor and for me to dilate.” And, then it was time to happen. They moved us into a Delivery Room. Mary Anne’s legs were lifted into some kind of device. We waited a while longer until the doctor arrived. He examined her and said, “it looks like it’s about time to push. Donald, you stand here in front of Mary Anne and you’ll be able to see the baby being born.” I can’t remember what I said but, I guess I was compliant. Of course, I had no idea what was about to happen. The next thing I knew she was pushing. And, I must have been turning green, purple, gray .. who knows what other colors. I’m sure I was about to faint. The doctor quickly grabbed me and parked my body behind Mary Anne’s shoulders. He said, “STAY HERE. I compiled. And, the baby was born .. screaming and hollering and bloody and messy and there he was .. Daniel Jay Silverman. Just like that.

Easy, right?

What is a great mind?  Is it a deep thinking mind from many centuries ago?  Or, a mind you met just today?  Is it great if it rattles off great puns?  Is it a great mind hidden deep inside a bum on the bowery whose mind that hit on hard times.  Do all scholars have great minds even if they don’t know how to tie his shoe?  Maybe it’s a mind that was sent to prison for standing its ground. It’s not so easy to define a great mind.

I’m not sure I ever met a “great mind”.  I’ve met famous people and terrific teachers, doctors and lawyers and politicians (even some with great minds)..  And, artists who amazed me with their vision and skills. I’ve studied Socrates and Plato but that was long ago at a time when their words were way over my head. I guess they were great minds but, I didn’t know that at the time.

I’ve met advertising writers who were clever and journalists who were smart. I’ve met dogs with great instincts (or, so it seems).  If you just pay attention, you can learn a lot from a dog.  I’ve met children who have expressed great innocent wisdom and janitors who know more about life than most of those who are well educated.

And, I’m lucky to say, I have a few friends with great minds.  Yes, they were good students who followed the rules and they had very successful careers.  But moreso, when they retired their great minds began to really flourish.

I know a teacher named Joe, who became a photographer.  He loves nature and the street life of New York City.  His photos tell great stories of the poor who find hope and joy from just a moment in time.  He captures their laughter, their achievements and their everyday experiences that make life so sweet.  And, his nature photos capture … nature in all of her glory.  He makes me look at life through his looking glass. And, my day is always better after I see what he sees..

I had a janitor when I owned a small building in Richmond, Virginia.  His name was Nathaniel  What a sweet man.  He was quiet and reliable and very thorough doing his work.  On occasion we would chat about race relations.  In his spare time he ministered to his flock in a small church. We talked about the days of old in Richmond when life was very hard.  And, we talked about the progress that’s been made.  While the scars still remain his heart is filled with hope for a better tomorrow.  I will always remember his optimism.  And, to me that is a great thing to share with your church goers and the people who pass through your life.

I had a teacher named Joseph Caruso.  He was a retired US Army Sergeant..  I think he taught Seventh Grade.  John deeply loved to teach American History.  At one point we were learning about South Carolina before the Civil War.  To illustrate his point he would stand up on top of a desk and bellow out the words of John C. Calhoon, an American statesman and political theorist from South Carolina who served as the seventh vice president of the United States.  To me he took a dry subject and brought it to life.  I’ll never forget his enthusiasm.  It was a great sight to see.

And, I once met an advertising copywriter in Nashville, Tennessee.  I was showing a group of creative folk our film production demo reel.  Afterwards, we stepped into his office and I innocently asked him, “What makes a great copywriter?”  He replied, “It’s all about someone who understands human nature.”  Just a few short words but, really a great memory to me.

My dear wife surely has a great mind.  After all, she chose me to be her husband.  Apart from that moment of greatness, she’s a voracious reader and is beaming with kindness and intelligence.  To me she was one of very few great and very caring nurses. To know how to heal a wounded soul is, indeed someone with a great mind.

And, she has a wonderful hearty laugh.  Only someone with a great mind can enjoy a moment like she does.

My old and dear friends, Mike and Fred both have great, clear-thinking minds.  Both are funny.  Both are well read.  Both are great students of contemporary culture.  And, both are wonderful punsters.  Their great minds keep my trying-to-be-great mind alive and curious.

And, then I met a guy named Stan, a meteorologist, a student of classical piano, and another fabulous punster.  His greatness lies in his warmth, his sense of humor and his astounding knowledge of the universe.  I really love spending time with him.  And, I hope some of his greatness rubs off on me one day.

Well, I don’t know if I truly addressed the assignment but, I had fun writing this little ditty.