days in the life of a
Previous POSTS
Reminiscings from MY DAD
January 29, 2009
THE BOXER
Part 1:  Golden Gloves Beginning


































This is my dad, Bud House.  Before.  Before he ever met Mom, before I was ever even thought about, Dad was a champion boxer.

It's hard to imagine what my parents were like when they were young.  I guess everyone must have trouble visualizing their parents as teenagers, but as I get older it somehow gets easier.

They had a life before me.  And I love to hear them tell about it.

 























And I want my children and my grandchildren to know those stories!  So last week, I sat down with Dad and he told me a few of his boxing stories.

























My Dad is 76 years old now, but his memory of his early years is amazingly clear!  It was fun watching his eyes as he rewound and recalled his teenage boxing beginnings.

























Check out how big my dad's hands are!  No wonder he had a powerful punch!  Shake hands with him today, and be prepared for a bone-crushing squeeze.  No wonder his son-in-laws are intimidated by him!  (And let me tell you from experience, Dad didn't need a paddle to spank us!  His HAND was a paddle!)

























We had a fun day of reminiscing...well, Dad was reminiscing and I was listening and videotaping.  I split it up into three parts, so enjoy Part 1 today and check back on Saturday and Monday for Parts 2 and 3.

ENJOY!!!


January 31, 2009
THE BOXER
Part 2:  Marine Corps Champion



































It's been 55 years since Dad wore this boxing robe.  I can just imagine him prancing into the boxing ring, bouncing around punching the air, ready to rumble! 



































How I wish we had video footage to see Dad in action!  Knowing his fiercely competitive spirit and rock-solid determination (if you want to know where my children got those traits, look no further!), he was surely an intimidating and imposing fighter!

























Continuing our reminiscing session, Dad reflected on his years in the United States
Marine Corps.  In so many ways, the Marines shaped Dad into the person he is today.

























Besides the obvious lessons that being a Marine taught him, it was also during that time that he met Mama while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  His face lit up as he recalled the circumstances of attending her high school graduation in 1954.

This video segment is longer (9:49), but I think you'll enjoy hearing Dad tell his tales...and Mom get in on the act at the end!

February 2, 2009
THE BOXER
Part 3:  Surprise Chat with President Eisenhower


































If only these shoes could talk!  My dad wore these boxing shoes as he danced around the ring, delivering knock-out blows to many of his opponents.

























On his way to becoming the Marine Corps heavyweight champion, Dad had his share of victories.  His powerful left-handed punch took down most of his challengers.


























Most...but not all.  Even the Marine Corps champion has his days when things don't go his way, when a punch lands in just the wrong place, when instead of raising his arms in victory he hangs his head in defeat.


































photo from wikipedia.com


And one of those matches, President Eisenhower was in the audience.  Looking back, if Dad had won that match, he probably would have never met and talked with the President of the United States.  But it was because of Dad's dejection after his defeat, that circumstances brought this memorable meeting when my dad chatted with President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954.

In the last video of "The Boxer" posts, Dad shares his memory of this unexpected turn of events.  If you missed the first two posts and videos of "The Boxer," click here.

It was my privilege to share this time with Dad as he reminisced about his boxing experiences!  I will treasure the videos, and appreciate Dad for humoring me. 

I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!