Epilogue - Dawkmymy

Wisdom has nothing to do with the accumulation of facts. Some of the most educated people in the world are idiots. What good judgment has at its core is caution. What happened to me is I lacked sound good sense.

Bad temper controlled my life. I was greedy and used my rage to manipulate those close to me. What worked for me as a child, and failed me in my adult life.

Many of the uneducated acquire wisdom. To my understanding, the lack of intelligence means we have a good case of stupidity. At least the nonsense part is where most of us go astray. My downfall was anger.

We can be a straight 'A' student and still be stupid in life. Foolishness is the standard that many choose. I wasted my existence on pettiness. It took four kids to teach me that hugs, smiles and excitement about the minor things are the key to life. Age is not a factor. If it was, we would all be wise.

Leanna exhibited what it meant to be caring, gentle, compassionate and concerned. She did this for strangers, more than I did making time for people. She knew and loved people when meeting them for the first time. I want to be better as I look ahead than I was during the last few years. As time passes by, we learn to become better people when we are attentive to the needs of those less fortunate.

Bobby has come to trust and love me. He has forgiven me for being unwise. Rufus and Martha accepted me from the first time they met me. They love me more like a daughter, as if I had always been part of their family. Blessedness pursues me with intensity. A great family, job and friends await me in the years to come. With God's help, it will be a beautiful time ahead.

My husband is ahead of the curve in his caring nature. The job he has demands he is sensitive to those in need. The rescue missions themselves call for a sympathetic individual. One who is kind to all, especially to women who have been abused. His perception makes him essential.

Last evening, we went to the Night Market between Old Chiang Mai and the Ping River. Malsa bought three pieces of cloth to make outfits for her doll. Bobby III, Seebhabe and Leanna purchased stuffed toy fighters that look like their Daddy. We stopped at a juice stand and ordered three large mango slushes and three small ones. The young woman refused to take our money. She said that Bobby had saved her life, and she knew Malsa from school. The juice stand was her grandmother's, and she helped out one night a week. We thanked her. She said, "I owe him my life. The drinks are a small token to express my love for you and your family." My insides felt mushy. My face lit up with brightness.

Today is Sunday. After church we dressed casually, and have grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch Then we are going to Grand-Daddy Rufus' farm to feed the catfish. The baby catfish are in the big pond. That is where the kids like to go. The two smaller ponds have bigger fish ready to go to market.

Between the corn and the catfish, Rufus' little village has flourished. He and Martha are highly regarded by his fellow employees. He works as hard as they do in the fields. His face reveals that he is delighted with his choices.

Other surrounding farms are rotating their crops and have constructed ponds to raise fish. He did not set out to make trends. Primarily, it started as a method to overcome boredom. Now, it has developed into more of a means to share his love from his knowledge of farming.

Rufus and Martha spoil the grand kids and the children in the community. When the children finish feeding the fish, Martha always has homemade ice cream and cobbler ready for us.

Rusty and Dok Mysoad timed it just right for the sweets. He has been promoted to full Colonel and is the Brigade's Commander. They have set a date for their wedding.

The Olanders have left their mark on this little spot of the world. It is paradise. What better could we want? Except for the new little Olander expected in six months.

Mae Sua is travelling with her new husband. He is oil rich from Texas. Both of them are seventy. She writes and sends pictures from all the places they have been.

Malsa will assume her new job as executive vice president in a few months. Her experience was similar when she received her last promotion. The one currently holding the position will be moving to the states with her husband.

A new position was created for the one leaving as regional manager for Northern California, Oregon and Washington. Her job is to open new bridal boutiques, hire managers, and train staff.

On the job, we have fun and love our work. Serving our customers, and supporting our employees demonstrates we care more about them more than details of business. It is never too late to become wise. The benefits far outweigh the effort.

Bobby had a building constructed behind our house. It is four meters wide by eight meters long. In it is a miniature fighting gym. There is a large mat, on the floor, about the size of an official fighting area. Behind the larger mat is a smaller pad. The lesser area has a canvas punching/kicking bag that hangs on a chain that drops from the ceiling.

There was a cat like smile, both calm and calculated on his devious face. The work out area was more than a private space for him. It was more than an attempt to become self-indulgent. He had a plan which was a big secret. Thus, he was not talking.

"Why did you have the personal workout area built?" "For those days when I do not have access to the base gym or the RMGC training center." He also casually implied that others could use it like Malsa and me to keep up with our skills. When he said that, I knew he had it built for us. It made me warm inside.

Thank you for reading my book. Even though it is a work of fiction, it draws from my experience in Thailand in 1967 and 1968.

Although, my first book is out of print, I have incorporated a portion of it in my second book titled Featernity of Fear, Fists & Feet, where it includes several of the characters from the first work. Perplexed is the third. Below is a bonus excerpt from FFF & F.