FIFTHTEEN

DISAPLINE 

August 4, 2008

        I believe the “Cornerstone” of our strict upbringing began when our father enlisted in the Army on March 5, 1952.  That’s him in the top row above, second from the right.  Before, he just ran the streets of Los Angeles, California with his friends which only led to trouble. He was part of a rough crowd, and if he didn’t like the way he came out in this picture, I wouldn’t be surprise if he made the photographer “Get down and give him fifty push-ups!”

   Our father’s Basic Training at Fort Ore Army Reserve Base in Monterey, California, with his close friend Henry Delgado, gave him the type of structure and discipline.  As I recall, they were both soon shipped-off to England. They soon would be stationed in Germany where they would experience both good times and bad.  

        Once stationed in Germany, PFC Castro would soon make Corporal of his Platoon. Because of his determination, hard work, and proven leadership skills, he was then appointed Assistant Chief of Section. His Military Experience to name a few involved operating 155mm Canons, Army Tanks, and Ammunition Trucks to Secret Locations throughout Germany. (He also specialized in German Beer and Frankfurters with Sauerkraut.)

        Now that I’ve refreshed you memory of our father’s Military Experience, do you think it played a role on the way you and I were both Disciplined and Rewarded?  This all started even before we reached our Grammar School Years.  And if you have to think about it too long you must of fell and broke your streusel! (I threw that in because I know how much you like cake.)

        As children whenever we’d come home from school with Good Report Cards we were always rewarded in the Highest Military Fashion. We were “Honored” and treated with Big Banana Splits we could hardly finish on our own.  Visiting that Small Mom & Pop Shop down on Fresno Street, just a couple of blocks south of Olive, always was such a fun experience.  It was even more rewarding when told by our parents, “We’re so proud of you!”        

        We’d all load into that 1964 Beige Comet our family use to own back then, filled with excitement we couldn’t hardly control.  Our Comet had those Shiny Chrome Hubcaps that reminded me of big nickels. You know why?  Because it was the same price we use to charge for a cup of our Homemade Lemonade around that time.  

        Upon arriving we’d eagerly get out of our car and rush towards the front door, as our parents watched a short distance away. Of course you always won that race too, but more importantly, we were just hoping it wasn’t too busy inside.          The clerk would then ask, “What would you like today?” Looking through the ice cream glass at all the different flavors made us fog it up with our warm breath.

        Our choice was “special,” and it started-off with one of those “popular” Chiquita Bananas split in half right in front of us on the white chopping block. It was then carefully placed on one of those long baby blue plastic containers. I’d already get so excited with anticipation, I’d start singing, “I’m a Chiquita Banana and I’m here to say!” Then you’d suddenly elbow me to stop.

        Sorry Big Brother, but it was hard for me to maintain my excitement while watching those three large mounds of Soft Serve Vanilla Ice Cream being perfectly applied on top of that Sweet Chiquita. We use it was “pretty neat” how the clerk always made that little curl after serving a mound of Soft Serve. But “I’d” sometime feel that Ice Cream Machine was purposely teasing me when making that low purr noise of, “Yummmmm, yummmmmm!” 

        I’d then request toppings of Hot Chocolate Sauce, Pineapple Chunks, and Sweet Strawberries.  It’s kind of funny how I still enjoy the same toppings to this very day. I can’t indulge the way we use to back then because it just means more hours I’d have to put in at the gym.  But a Single Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone from time to time isn’t that bad, even if I didn’t get a good report card. Know what I mean?

        When that Whipped Cream Can was shaken and the Whipped Cream applied while making that funny noise, my taste buds were already dancing with joy. But mine was still incomplete. I’d get a little upset to the point I had to speak-up for myself, “Wait Mister?! What about my Chopped Walnuts and Cherries?! Give me the works!  Haven’t you heard I got a good Report Card today?!”

        On the flip-side to this “Military Coin,” do you still remember what happened to us whenever we brought home Bad Report Card?  How could you possibly forget all of those “Private Talks” with our father that also included our two old sisters now and then?!  But they were older and much wiser about following our Father’s Strict Rules, while you and I would sometimes try to plea “Temporary Insanity!”

        I remember while in Second Grade when receiving my report card, I was happy to find multiple A’s, B’s, and C’s.  But as I glanced to the bottom of my subjects my eyes were suddenly shocked to find this one “D,” and one “F”.  Let me tell you how I suddenly felt this chill rush through my entire little body as if someone had suddenly opened Classroom Window during winter!  But it was a nice warm sunny day, with the Crows waiting outside to start circling around my carcass.  

(Oooooh booooy was I going to get it!)

        My first thought was my teacher had made some kind of mistake. A second later I knew deep down inside it wasn’t her fault at all. It was my fault, all mine for not paying attention, and acting like the Class Clown.  Because of my guilt, in my mind I could already hear the snapping of our father’s thick leather belt right before “He’d Invest in our Futures.”  

        We were called-in for dinner after playing in our backyard.   Once seated at the table my mood changed to Serious.  I was now getting nervous and could hardly eat.  Everyone else was carried-on in the same rambunctious fashion they always did. But the thought of “I’m the only one that brought home a Bad Report Card” kept playing over in my head.

        While in this “Zone,” I could hear the Crickets outside as they made music, while the June Bugs quickly took Flight in order to escape this War Zone.  Then right at 5:30pm as the Sun quickly rush behind the San Joaquin Mountains, we heard heavy footsteps stomping up our Cement Porch. Everyone at our dinner table suddenly froze, while the Crickets suddenly became quiet. The June Bugs decided to land in order to Find Cover, and not “Get Caught-up in any Cross Fire.”

        As our father maneuvered his keys to “Unlock the Deadbolt,” all eyes from the table quickly fell upon me. I could read them as clear as I could read my “Curious George Book.” And all you guys could say was, “Good Luck Buddy!”  Hearing your words and the way you said them, even made “The Man on the Moon Cover His Eyes” because of what he might witness next.

        When our father walked through the front door our mother quickly said, “Hi Honey. How was your day?”  But even before our father had a chance to reply, she continued “Sorry ‘someone’ brought home a Bad Report Card today! I know how tired you are, and rather hear good news.”

        Our mother was so quick she caught me off guard because when I tried turning-on my “Chameleon Powers,” I couldn’t blend-in with the Checker Table Cloth in front of me!  As my Chameleon Lips slowly start to pucker I began looking down into this “Empty Space.”  While I tried not making any “Eye Contact” with anyone, I could still feel our father’s hovering eyes “Capture Me” from across the table.  

        Do you remember what our father say next, Big Brother, because it’d been directed to you on other occasions?!  He said in this Thunderous Military Voice, “After you’re finished eating, let me know so we can go have a Private Talk in your bedroom.”   After hearing this I felt so intimidated and scared, it was enough punishment in itself.

        It probably wasn’t a good idea how I then “Engaged in Stall Tactics” while eating my Mac & Cheese because when our father showed-up to check on me, he wasn’t happy to find me now sitting by myself. Everyone else was already sitting on the couch, watching TV.  Yes, I hadn’t budged in a while.  And Sergeant Carter staring at me as if I were Gomer Pyle who’d parked in his designated parking space.  

        For some reason, I thought by swinging my legs over the two feet ground clearness under my chair was a good move to make.  When our father saw this “Sudden Implementation” right in front of him his eyes he barked, “You’re done eating!  So let’s go!”

        I tried faking “Shell Shock” to make a mad dash towards the door to go “A-Wall.” But before you could say “Wiener Schnitzel” our father had applied a “GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip” to my forearm, and pulled me out of my chair so quickly I was actually flying through the air.  You’d probably say I was “Free Falling without a Parachute.”  Ha!

        When my feet finally “Hit Land” our father quickly adjusted his Military Grip on my little right arm with his left hand, grabbing me at the waist of my pants, and swung me over his right shoulder as if participation in “Rifle Exercises.”  Worried about getting dropped into any “Fox-holes Down Below” on the way to my bedroom we passed everyone sitting on the couch as they “pretending to watch TV.” And I didn’t think it was funny when you whispered “Dead Man Bouncing.  Guess I can have your toys if you don’t make it back in one piece?”  Ha!

        When let down at the beginning of the hallway I felt like this clumsy baby kangaroo trying to find his footing, while his Papa was more interested in “Teaching Him Boxing Lessons.” After the bedroom door was quickly opened I was flung inside, and bounced around like a “Little Grenade!”  Before the door was shut you could hear echoes of, “Didn’t I tell you to pay attention in School?!”

        Upon clearly seeing the “Whites of Our Father’s Blood Shoot Eyes,” I slowly started moving backwards to find Refuge.  I suddenly thought of my “Green Army Men’s Reformation.” But before I was able to make my move I was quickly captured by the Enemy.  My tears now began to stream down like “Rapid Fire” as our father continued barking, “Didn’t I tell you to pay more attention to your teachers?!”  I was so intimidated of responding incorrectly, I just didn’t at all.

        While leering down at me with his “Bullet Piercing Eyes,” our father began to slowly unbuckle that “Thick Military Belt” of his.  Before I blinked he then quickly pulled it out his belt loops.  He then “Implemented this Luring Tactic” as if he wanted a “Confession.” But I stood firm, and only gave-out my “Name, Rank, and Favorite Kind of Cereal.”  

        While capturing and holding me in the “Strong Military Grip of his Right Hand,” he began spanking me in-between his Multiple, Loud, Military Statements!

“I’m tire of telling you...(spank)...to do your work...(spank)....and pay more attention… (spank)…and quit goofing-off in school!  Move your hands out of the way!” (Spank spank!)  

“I said…(spank miss)…move…(block spank)… your hands!” (Spank spank spank!)  Ha!

        The only thing that was even worse than our “Father’s Private Talks,” was being sent straight to bed without any dinner at all before being “Executed.”  I remember this happening to me this one time when our mother just happened to make all of my favorites of, “Meat Loaf with Mash Potatoes and Gravy.  I always looked so forward to dipping my Pillsbury Dinner Rolls into my food,” but instead I was assigned KP Duty for two whole weeks!  Ahhhhhh!

        Our mother should have received the “Silver Star” for her gallantry in action against the enemy.  She’d always go by our bedrooms with a Tray of Food shortly after our father’s discipline had been “Administered.” Smuggle Secret Plates of Food across Enemy Lines was the only thing that stopped my stomach from cramping, and making those funny noises.  

        I remember our “Mothers Words of Encouragement” she shared while we ate still upset.  While speaking, she’d begin to softly kiss us on our foreheads until our falling tears would stop. She’d say things like, “You know your father really loves you very much, and just wants the best for you.”  Her fingers tips would also gently brush our hair back, before they wiped away our tears.

         All of this Discipline” finally paid-off one day when my teacher noticed this “Positive Change” in me.  She was so happy I was actually told, “I always knew you had so much potential.”  In other words, she was saying she was relieved to now have “One Less Trouble Maker” to deal with in her classroom.  Guess you sometime have to learn the hard way.  Know I sure did.

        I’ve realized that I was only hurting myself back then with all of my “Juvenal Antics.” It was just a good feeling to know that there were people around me that never gave-up on me.  If I can now make a “Religious Comparison,” this is the same way Jesus feel about all of His children.  He knows we all have promising potential within because that’s the way we were all created.

        Whenever a negative thought now enters my mind I “Flip it.”  I tell myself the opposite of a negative thought like, “I’m not lonely because God is always with me.”  Try this simply practice, Big Brother, and I hope you continue to notice a positive change within yourself. For one thing, you will feel more in control of your thoughts and capabilities to better plan for your future when you get out in December.  

        But if you’re thinking that you really don’t want to hear any of this right now, “Hold-up!”  Realize that I’m here for you, and we shouldn’t give-up on ourselves no matter where we might presently be. God’s never given-up on me when I was down and out, and He now wants you to have the same sort of “Hope” He’s instilled in me.  Remember, “God gave-up his only Son so that all of our Sins could be forgiven.” So it’s time you forgive yourself for the things you’ve done.

        We’ve now walked together through the first 15 chapters of our lives. You expressed to me how good they’ve made you feel when remembering “Happy Times,” and how some of them seemed to just happened “Yesterday.”  You’re correct when you said “You feel as if Christ is working through me in order to reach-out to you.”  How else could we possibly explain all of the things I still remember, starting back when we were still in Pampers?  

        I just want you to know one other thing. While “Spanking” was a form of discipline our father believed in during our up-bring “That Chain” has now been broke.  Because of my experience it’s something I’m against, so it’s never been used in my house. You personally know that your niece turned-out to be a very smart, respectful young lady.  But no matter what form of discipline our parents used, we now have to make the right decisions in order to receive favor from the Lord.

“Hope to the end for the divine favor that is coming to you.”

                                                                        1 Peter 1:13