27 Years And Counting . . .
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Last week was a bit of a milestone for me. The Gulf State Park Pier was reopened after almost five years of rebuilding since the devastation of Hurricane Ivan. During that period of time, I also wrote and released The Noticer, a book that begins its story under that very pier.
With Polly and Adam sick and battling the mysterious illness that I brought home from some nameless air passenger days before, Austin and I set out from home to attend the opening of the pier. We arrived in the parking lot and immediately began exchanging greetings with people I had not seen in years . . . some since my pier days.
Local mayors, state senators—even Bob Riley, the Governor of Alabama, was there. And tons of press. This pier, at 1,520 feet, is by far the longest ever built anywhere on the gulf coast. It is a beautiful engineering feat being counted upon to aid the tourist industry in this area. It is big news for the state and the entire gulf coast.
As we walked up the ramp to the first level, I received more than a few winks and funny greetings from those who were there for the opening and recognized the irony of my presence. More than 150 members of the press corps were gathered in the pavilion surrounded by several hundred more bystanders.
As the ceremony began, several of us spoke about the old structure and what it had meant to the area. I explained how I had come to use “the underneath” part of the pier as much as everyone else used the “on top”. I also noted wryly that though the new structure was larger, it was not nearly as comfortable underneath as the pier I had experienced years earlier. The new pier has a wooden top instead of a concrete slab. Rainwater dripping through the slats will render the space unlivable for anyone with the same idea.
After the spoken words were completed, the crowd clapped and the cameras flashed as the ribbon was cut to officially reopen the Gulf State Park Pier. Who held the scissors? The governor and the guy who slept under the pier 27 years ago! What a thrill! Governor Riley shook hands and talked with Austin for a bit and told the assembled crowd that he was currently reading The Noticer. Wow!
Later, we walked all the way out to the end and watched the action and applauded as one guy hauled in a 40-pound King Mackerel. Flounder, bluefish, and Spanish were coming over the rail as Austin could hardly contain his excitement. John Giannini was there catching fish. He and I huddled and were so excited we giggled like little kids!
John was a kid on the pier when I was a kid on the pier. We fished side by side for years as the older men patiently taught us methods and manners. Sportsmanship was enforced by these old “salts” who molded us into great fishermen and good citizens. Through the years, I watched John grow into a successful businessman. I was very aware that his life, too, had been shaped by the pier. He now owns J&M Tackle, a beautiful retail establishment in Orange Beach that does a thriving catalog business all over the world.
Driving home, Austin asked about the folks who had commented about my sleeping under the pier. He wanted to know if I had been bothered by the teasing . . . “No buddy,” I explained. “They are proud of me and what I managed to endure and eventually accomplish. The people around here own a large part of our success because they encouraged me and helped me during that time. So, in a way, any success I manage to achieve today is their success, too. Even The Noticer . . . that is their book, too!”
After a pause, I added, “You know, Austin, when we go in J&M and buy rods or bait or snacks, that is a way we honor and encourage our friend, Mr. John. I watched him as a little kid learning to fish like you and Adam do now. Then, as a young man, our community watched as he made good choices and built a business that came from his love of fishing. So we are all proud of him, too. And we all feel a part of his success.”
That afternoon, I sat alone in my office and listed several people whose lives had become something I was proud to have invested in. More importantly perhaps, I identified a couple or three people really struggling right now to whom I needed to give a book or encourage in some way. And I have since done that.
This exercise added a sense of fulfillment and directed purpose to my life at that very moment.
So right now: Write down the name of a person whose life you feel proud of their success . . . you feel a part of that success in a way because you prayed faithfully or encouraged or helped in some way . . .
Second . . . Who, within the scope of your world (and you may not even know their name) could you encourage with conversation, work, a book, a smile, a sandwich, or a pat on the back? When will you do it?
I think back upon the thousands of people who have reason to claim success every time I release a book or appear on television. Most names I do not even remember. But the conversations, soft drinks, clothes, company, direction, extra food, loving discipline, jobs, forgiveness, free tackle, compassion, socks, saltine crackers, trust, smiles, and a hundred and one other things I could list have all piled up in my heart. These things and words and deeds make me very grateful that you folks saw some value in me during the past 27 years.
A bitter young man does not crawl out from under a pier by himself.
Thank you.
Copyright: If you reprint a post on this site or repost it on your own blog or website, you must include the following attribution:
© 2010, Andy Andrews. Used by Permission. Originally posted at andyandrews.com/blog.
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1. Ellen G. Wulf - July 28, 2009 @ 11:31 PM
2. Sue Jeffers - July 28, 2009 @ 11:52 PM
you have been such an inspiration to me...it is amazing how yourlife has changed!! You have given me hope and to look at the "perspective" of a situation....I have seen you in person at Keller Williams Family Reunion. I have all your books....and CD's. I share your works regularly with my friends.
I thank the Lord for you!
Give your family a HUG!!"
3. Sue - July 29, 2009 @ 1:12 AM
I'm currently reading your book "The Noticer" and enjoying it very much! My husband travels so I downloaded the book in MP3 format - he finished the book before me!
We totally enjoy reading your books and have shared with countless people about them but also about the cd - "My Life This Far" We also totally enjoyed being there for the filming of "7 Basic Principles" at the Ryman Auditorium! Seeing you in person brings even more life to the audio versions of your work! We have purchased the DVD of the "7 Basic Principles" and have shared it with numerous people.
It's obvious that you have taken the blessing God gave you and incorporated it in your work. Many people with your background wouldn't view your life as having been blessed - but that's all in the eye of the beholder! We never know why God allows us to walk through firey paths but if we keep our focus on Him, and look for opportunities to use those moments to help others, we will be blessed beyond anything we can possibly realize!"
4. steve townley - July 29, 2009 @ 6:54 AM
5. Wayne - July 29, 2009 @ 7:14 AM
6. Linda Tidmore Evans (Retired Teacher/ Principal) - July 29, 2009 @ 8:48 AM
A DIFFERANCE IN THIS WORLD!
We are ALL on a journey traveling
through this life. Along the way...
(like in "Pilgrim's Progress") we have the opportunity of meeting special individuals...who make a
DIFFERECE in our life.
After reading "The Traveler's Gift," I sent all my friends and loved ones a copy of the book. Recently, my yougest sister sent me your latest book entitled, "The Noticer."
Thank you for MAKING THE DIFFERANCE. ALL....who read your
book/s will be ENRICHED and CHANGED.
My Grateful Appreciation
to Andy Andrews,
From: Linda Tidmore Evans
Mobile, Alabama"
7. Patrick, Donna McCormick - July 29, 2009 @ 9:22 AM
We are blessed to have met you 11-09 when you spoke in Alberta, Al. We consumed all your books in 3 months. One of your secretaries delivered an autographed copy THE YOUNG TRAVELER'S GIFT. FREE.. to us for an urgent need( a young man we knew was going to jail). We proudly share our books, or give your books, CD's, etc. as gifts... as our spirit moves us! You are RICH in SPIRIT as well as financially...keep it up Andy!"
8. Glen Kaiser - July 29, 2009 @ 9:50 AM
I wasn't able to attend the Grand Opening - I have walked the new pier - wow!! We are blessed to have such a wonderful addition to our area.
I can only imagine how the opening had an affect on you - sounds like it was a good feeling associated with this event - I'm proud to know you and pleased that you live you life with a 'surf and turf with an ocean view' attitude!! You inspire all of us around you - I know you do me!!
Take care - your friend - GK"
9. Sandra Potter - July 29, 2009 @ 10:15 AM
I was lucky enough to hear you at a conference some years back and you autographed "The Travelers Gift" for me.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing and making a difference in so many lives. I am giving a copy of "The Noticer" to a very dear friend of mine for her birthday next month. I know she will enjoy it as well.
Sandra Potter
Mukwonago, WI"
10. Denise Stigen - July 29, 2009 @ 10:50 AM
Denise Stigen
City of Refuge -
Veterans Homeless Shelter
Vinton, LA"
11. John H. Estes - July 29, 2009 @ 11:22 AM
12. David Gillaspie - July 29, 2009 @ 11:42 AM
Great post on a writer's reach. Thanks,
David Gillaspie"
13. Dan Gunter - July 29, 2009 @ 11:47 AM
I hope a LOT of people read those words and (1) give thanks for the people who helped them along the way, and (2) take it as a reminder to help others out.
Butterflies can more than withstand the stiff breezes that are felt under a pier."
14. Alan "PEZ" Pezza - July 29, 2009 @ 12:09 PM
I am now following my promptings to others immediately, mostly with a smile a note and a prayer. It is a small thing that can lead to greatness. You are the proof and I use your example often.
May God continue to bless you,
Pez"
15. Sharon Thiel - July 29, 2009 @ 1:07 PM
You celebrate 27 years in this post. Since I feel as though I have "known" you forever, it is hard for me to believe that it is no more than 3 months since I received a bulk email (pebble plop) from dear Mary Graham of Women of Faith ministries, encouraging us readers to pre-order "The Noticer" and receive some goodies from the publisher. I trust Mary, and know her to be a woman who does not often get as excited as she sounded about this book, so off to Amazon.com I went and bought this book by an author with whom I was not familiar (splash and ripple).
Would you believe I just began to cry as I type this?
After reading The Noticer, I went online and ordered every book I could find of yours that was still in print, put "The 7 Decisions" DVD at the top of my Blockbuster Online movie queue, and passed the book to my husband (ripple #2). My husband and I have now read "The Noticer", "The Travelers Gift" "The Lost Choice" and "The Island of Saints", watched the DVD. I am now reading and working through "Mastering the 7 Decisions" and have some out of print books on order. Still trying to find a copy of the CD "My Life Thus Far", and "The Young Tavelers Gift" for a troubled nephew.
What can I say? A mass-mailed suggestion that I purchase a book has not only changed my life (most especially my 'perspective')and my husband's life, but is in process of touching in profound ways the lives of countless friends and family members to whom we have already given copies of your books, or who will be receiving same in the future (ripple #3 and on to infinity. Christmas packages are all going to have a very rectangular shape this year ;-)
In every way I can imagine, you are the living proof of the power of caring on the outworking of destiny. Both the largest and smallest of gestures made by the incredible people who reached out to you, starting with an old man who kept watch over the cocoon you'd created under an old pier, have contributed to the butterfly God created you to be, who in your becoming have flapped your wings and changed for the better the spirit of all you touch for all time.
Thank you. Thank you for being willing to be made willing to care what you became, and for sharing the gifts you've been given with all who are open to receiving them.
May God bless you, Polly, Adam and Austin, your marriage and your mission, today and always."
16. Chuck Koch - July 29, 2009 @ 1:17 PM
Since then I've heard you speak several times, listened to many of your recordings and now read a couple of your books. I recently finished "The Noticer" and have an even better appreciation of what happened that night when I missed my friend's birthday party.
Thanks for crawling out from under the pier and Noticing me! I hope I can continue to do the same for others!"
17. Chris - July 29, 2009 @ 1:20 PM
We happen to be vacationing in Perdido Key and drove out to see the old pier ruins that I photographed just two or three years ago when we were here. It was good to find it totally restored and open for business. What a beast! I had no idea until we got back this morning that it had just reopened last week.
I'll have to remind Alexis that is was that pier (well the old one) under which you slept. Glad the boys got to be there for the big day.
If you don't have any pictures of the old one after Ivan, I have about a half dozen I could send you."
18. Jamie Michaels - July 29, 2009 @ 2:16 PM
19. Kelly Krei - July 29, 2009 @ 5:03 PM
Thank 'you' doesn't quite cover it; but for the time being, 'thank you' is the best I can give you.
Sincerely, Kelly"
20. Linda - July 29, 2009 @ 9:02 PM
Thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement that you have sown into my life. I've read all your books and have passed them on to my fellow school bus drivers. Probably my favorite is Storms of Perfection.
What a happy time at the Pier!! God Bless!
Linda"
21. Donna Belk - July 29, 2009 @ 11:08 PM
You've truly come full circle -- from living under the pier to celebrating its re-birth! Those of us who feel we know you through your writing are immensely proud of you; not just for having made an often difficult journey in those 27 years, but especially for not forgetting that you didn't do it alone. Thanks for giving back so much along the way. Blessings to you and your family.
All the best,
Donna"
22. Maggie Harper - July 31, 2009 @ 9:45 AM
Best of success....Maggie"
23. Alisha Alligood - August 1, 2009 @ 12:19 PM
Alisha"
24. Greg Stevens - August 4, 2009 @ 8:39 PM
25. Martha Martin - September 7, 2009 @ 2:05 PM
I know you will not remember me but I lived on Charlotte Circle just down the street from your grandmother and Christy. My daughter and Christy were friends. It is a joy to be able to read your books and know that the one who wrote them really wrote from the heart. I will recomend your books to all my friends. I wish for you God's best.
Martha"
26. Tim Cunningham - September 8, 2009 @ 3:54 PM
This is a little ironic but my wife and I were in Gulf Shores about a month ago right after the new pier was finished. I am facing a tremendous storm in my life right now and I told my wife I wanted to see an amazing sunset on the beach. We instead walked out on the newly constructed pier to watch my sunset. The very next weekend I was in the mall and picked up a copy of your book. I had never heard of you or your books before, I normally do my shopping in the business section of the bookstore. I believe God led me to the Christian section that night and I picked up a copy of your book. The storm in my life may not go away but your book taught me a new perspective on how to cope with it. Thank You for the inspiration and giving me a new "Perspective" in this very short life we live."
27. Bob Cloyd - October 2, 2009 @ 2:45 PM
I wanted to thank you for your book The Noticer. Through your words and the words of your friend, Jones... I found a way to heal the pain of losing my Stepdad.
I was asked to speak at his funeral and I shared your story as well as how to find answers by changing your perspective.
After the memorial service, many people came up to me to inquire about your book as well as to thank me for the words I shared with them during the service. In essence, this new perspective healed many hearts...and I thank you for helping me do that.
Please keep doing what you're doing. You'll never know the impact you are having on me and others lucky enough to follow your words.
God bless you, my friend.
Bob Cloyd"
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