Friday, September 05, 2025
ESSAY - MAVERICK AND ME OR DADDY WOULD RISE UP OUT OF HIS GRAVE
BY DONOVAN BALDWIN
In the old American TV western, Maverick, gambler Bret Maverick (James Garner, in the photo) often handed out some aphorism preceded by, "As my old pappy used to say..."
When my old-school ways are mentioned, I often say, "My daddy would come up out of his grave if I didn't...", hold the door for a lady, apologize for an improper word (Excuse my French... with apologies now to the French!), or some other anachronistic behavior.
Well, a lot of what I, and Bret Maverick, often attribute to our respective fathers, actually came to us through the culture we were raised in, and the words and actions of many other people. I can remember such "lessons" which pop up in daily life.
Such as the time my drill sergeant in Basic Combat Training, politely, and "with all due respect", took the side of a bunch of cold, shivering soldiers, and told a young "shave tail" second lieutenant, that he was wrong.
Or the boss that quietly taught good behavior and proper leadership without a word, or a "dear little Irish priest" who started my life long love of reading by telling stories.
Or the stranger who suddenly showed up and did the right thing... which I witnessed... and learned from.
You never know who's watching... and what they're learning.
Said "good morning" to a teenage boy with ear buds in this morning. Maybe he'll remember... if he heard me.
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Like this essay by Donovan Baldwin? Maybe you will also like the essay "Sorry, Yoda".
Labels: Bret Maverick, donovan baldwin, essay, respect
# posted by Donovan Baldwin @ 9:33 AM 
