Richard Jackson:  

After highschool, I went to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, (now Union Pacific), where I've been working for 41 years as a Locomotive Engineer. Going to retire at the end of this year. I think 42 years is enough. I still sing and play the piano. Been writing some songs lately. Mostly gospel, love songs and jazz. Plan to concentrate on that when I retire, especially gospel. Maybe you'll hear some of them one day. I work out everyday, but my weight still got up over 250 lbs. recently! Metabolism just ain't what it used to be. (Neither is my ability to push myself away from the table.) Still working on that! Had some success recently with giving up sweet pop and chips. I had my left hip replaced Feb. 17, and my right hip March 24. Seems ironic that all the things we do to stay in shape when we're young and able can turn out to be some of the things that break our bodies down when we're older! All the workouts, and basketball and running caught up with me, but I wouldn't change anything. I'm nothing but optimistic now after suffering for so long. This make me wonder about the apostle Paul, who had an affliction that he prayed to God seeking relief from, apparently to no avail. Certainly with all the walking he did, something like my problem could have affected him. God carried him through, but he still wondered, why me!? Paul would have been comforted to know in the future, God would provide medical advances beyond his imagination. Ours too for that matter. I'll tell you this much I know from personal experience, not being able to walk without a cane or some other form of support can make you fairly humble. I'm sure the apostles needed to be humble. We all can use a little of that. Hope to be walking on my own byJune. I thank my Lord and all the people at Research Hospital for that! Married a sweet little girl from Central High, Cordelia Hale, 36 years now! I have a crazy little yellow Tabby cat along with my nutty Black Lab. Never a dull moment with these two girls. They like to share tuna fish and vanilla ice cream together. My wife kept feeding the stray cat outside, so I finally told her to bring it inside, (on our 36th wedding anniversary). Took only a couple of days for the two 'nuts', who used to perform bizarre acts of aggression in front of one another through the sunroom door, to get used to one another. I held the cat and Dee restrained the dog while we fed them tuna. Guess they decided it would be mutually beneficial for them to get along. Through the years we've taken in many stray dogs, and found the owners of some and homes for others. But, a lot of them have lived out their lives as our friends, and we've loved each and every one of them regardless of whatever faults they may have had. In our experience adopted dogs, (and now cats), are the best ones. We live in what used to be rural Lee's Summit Mo. across from James A. Reed wildlife area. The city is fastly approaching us now as new homes are being built daily. Good thing they can't build on the game reserve! Love to fish, hike, cook, garden, write, and explore interesting topics on the internet. LOVE THE LORD! And I will readily tell anyone who is willing to listen, (and some who are not), what God has done in my life. My older sister, Lorna, passed away after a valiant 6 year fight against breast cancer. We all miss her. Please make sure to be checked regularly by your doctor, and take your medicine people! Debbie's doing well, and working as a computer technician for U.S. Engineering after getting yet another degree. Mom passed away in Nov. at 84 years old. She was prepared to meet her maker, and did all the things to ...Expand for more