A Day That Changed My Life Forever
A dear friend and a genuinely GOOD soul...John Johnston would be one of the very few people I would want to see run for office...but this story is more about his life's philosophy from one event...so please read and be sure and comment in support of a good man!
A Day That Changed My Life Forever
One hundred and sixty-eight people died on a day that would influence my life forever.
I spent most of my adult life self-employed and considered work and career a major part of my life. There was a time I wore 3-piece suits ad drove new or late model vehicles. Image was all too important in the world I knew.
Later I would spend 4 years as a contractor for a wealthy family in TX. Again, image was everything. Eventually, I established enough clientele allowing me to open my own office. Again, image occupied too much of my identity.
On April 15, 1995, 168 people died in the Oklahoma City bombing. Not one of them knew that day would be their last. One hundred and sixty-eight people including 19 children were living their lives as only they knew how. You can imagine the full range of emotions each one of these individuals was experiencing that morning. Happy, sad, excited, depressed and worrying about bills or relationships, anticipating an upcoming children's recital or vacation...they were living their life. And then it was over.
What unfulfilled dreams were destroyed in an instant? How many of them/us are living lives to please someone else? Were they dressing to please the corporate world? Were they driving a particular vehicle to satisfy their image? I knew I had been a part of that world.
That was the day I started to rebel. I spent 2 weeks in OKC working with the 17 national emergency response teams from around the country. I spent long hours listening as tears flowed nonstop.
I grew a ponytail (laughing permitted). Not too many years later I moved to Westcliffe (April 1999). My first visit was in 1998 and fell in love with our valley. I felt this was America 1950 that I knew as a kid. People left keys in their trucks, socialized at the grocery store or post office and they dressed to be comfortable. I could wear a poncho and have a ponytail without people on the sidewalk concerned for their safety.
What I have found amusing is that labeled me a 'liberal'. Now, I'm laughing! All my life I have held fast to my beliefs as I watched the conservative/liberal line move left and right. I spent 6 years in the unpaid elected position of Westcliffe Town Trustee and felt I was the most fiscally responsible person on the board.
As I spend the next few months campaigning for Custer County Commissioner I encourage anyone that would like to know me better to know my office door is open.
Values of character and integrity have long since replaced image.
I look forward to meeting and getting to know you! Thank you and enjoy your day!Your support would be greatly appreciated...
Visit: www.JohnGJohnston.com
Experienced, Knowledgeable and the Expertise to get you from searching and looking to owning!
Let me work for you because the agent with the sign in the yard CAN'T!
John G. Johnston
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC
719 783-4644
Pray as if no work would help, and work as if no prayer would help.
Comments(11)